See bottom for update...
The big news for those who follow politics at all is that Glenn Beck is leaving his regular 5pm EST show on Fox News. With that comes all sorts of speculation about WHY. Most say that he has been forced out because he is so radical and that his ratings were dropping and losing sponsors but we have to remember the source. You can watch this video to get a glimpse of those against him.
For those of you who believe stations like MSNBC, CNN, etc... are non-partisan then you are living in a dreamland and you might as well stop reading because you are never going to believe
the rest anyway (I am not saying that Fox News is not at all partisan because it is). For those of you who are willing to listen to both sides and look into facts rather than simply take the view of one side, below is Glenn's announcement regarding his departure.
Will we ever know the truth regarding this departure? I don't believe we will. I suppose we just have to wait and see how it unfolds. What we can do though is look at the facts. I will try to take them in order and provide evidence to back it although I'm by no means a journalist and don't have time to get piece of evidence after piece of evidence.
Glenn's on camera antics
The report indicates that "he barked, he cried, he ranted". This is true, all true and we could post video after video of him doing this. What is wrong with that? Looking at Glenn's company Mercury Arts, the company's slogan is "the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment". You may not enjoy that kind of entertainment but apparently many do. On top of that if you were to take the full context of what he was saying they are simply dramatizations for the point he was making.
There is more to it then just randomly barking... He is responding and playing off of Obama's comments and the facts that he goes off on are all things that can be backed up as well.
Well you may not agree with his opposing views, and you may not be amused when he tries to entertain, but many can say the same thing about Chris Matthews, Rachel Madow, Ed Schultz, John Stewart or Stephen Colbert. Do you think you could create the same ridiculous clip real of them if you took a scalpel to it?
Falling Ratings / Fleeing Advertisers
Just taking a quick look at the falling ratings issue... Falling or rising is pretty irrelevant in my book because TV ratings are cyclical. I don't know when they are highest and I also don't know when they are lowest. What I can easily do though is look at a given day (Thursday, March 31st in this case) and compare Glenn's ratings to others in the time slot:
Glenn Beck Show (Fox News) - 3,577,000
Situation Room (CNN) - 1,021,000
Hardball with C. Matthews (MSNBC) - 919,000
Fast Money (CNBC) - 355,000
Showbiz Tonight (HLN) - 281,000
He has ratings that are 38% more than the competition COMBINED. Ok, so the next argument would be "Sure that's true but everyone knows Fox News has the most viewers and what is important is how you do relative to the other shows on the station".
The O'Reilly Factor (8pm EST) - 5,477,000
Hannity (9pm EST) - 3,728,000
Glenn Beck Show (5pm EST) - 3,577,000
Special Report w/Bret Baier (6pm EST) - 3,511,000
Fox Report w/S. Smith (7pm EST) - 3,160,000
On the Record w/Greta (10pm EST) - 2,894,000
The O'Reilly Factor (11pm EST) - 2,796,000
He is the 3rd highest ratings on Fox News. Maybe the next question would be "Well maybe the 5pm EST slot has really high ratings overall across the networks".
8pm EST - 8,882,000
9pm EST - 7,546,000
10pm EST - 6,637,000
6pm EST - 6,342,000
5pm EST - 6,153,000
7pm EST - 6,081,000
11pm EST - 5,351,000
So in summary, Glenn has by far the top rated 5pm EST show, has the 3rd highest rated show on the highest rated network, and is in the 3rd worst slot. This decision to separate is clearly not about ratings. What more could Fox be looking for if that was the case? Click here for the study
Well maybe its advertising. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to pull together much evidence on this simply because they don't have to release any of that information. I can however tell you that his company made $32 million dollars last year and you can't exactly do that without advertising. Read more here
Conspiracy Theories
This is the real meat of it and where, if you made it this far, you will likely just say "oh Jay's just a crazy conspiracy theorist too". Many people would argue that this could have caused Fox News to want to get rid of Glenn. I would beg to differ but can understand where they are coming from. You see the things that he outlines are not fun prospects and are kind of a downer. I do believe many of them, as outlandish as they seem, because all of the facts line up. Did you ever notice that no one questions his facts? The argument is "oh he's just crazy!" Wow, that is a good one!
So, while I would love to be able to prove these out in this blog I can't because I do have a job and school work to do... When I have heard these theories I have done basic fact checking and it's amazing what it uncovers. It's amazing how you can connect the dots just like he does (well his research team does). Instead of doing that, here is just one for you to play with and try to prove wrong:
I think it's funny that since the airing of this George Soros has significantly reduced his share of Petrobra. Hmmm... Might be something to look into because Obama is still giving $2 Billion to Brazil. I'm sure there is more to this than what meets the eye but that is a whole other subject. Sorry for thinking out loud!
Conclusion
Was this Fox News firing Glenn? Was it Glenn leaving Fox? We will never know for sure. I do however find it interesting that Fox is continuing a relationship with Glenn but not on a nightly basis but rather simply for specials. It is my personal feeling that Glenn has something bigger planned and has chosen to leave the nightly show arena and pick up a larger, more significant role. Time will tell but for the reasons above I do not agree with the final quote of the clip "It sounds like Ailes is mostly just happy that Beck is gone". If they didn't like what he was doing they would have simply ended the relationship altogether.
Updated April 13, 2011
Does this sound like a guy who was run out of Fox? This is clearer a case of someone who is moving on to a new post by choice.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Path to Prosperity
For the first time since I have really started to pay close attention to what is going on in the government I am hopeful. The Fiscal Year 2012 Budget that they laid out and named "The Path to Prosperity: Restoring America's Promise" really resonates with me. You can watch the video below were Paul Ryan lays it out.
Just a couple of the points from their key facts and summary sheet that really hit home for me are the following (their points in bold, my comments below):
Eliminates hundreds of duplicative programs, reflects the ban on earmarks, and curbs corporate welfare bringing non-security discretionary spending to below 2008 levels.
I feel so strongly about earmarks and have for a long time. Why do we have to bribe politicians with earmarks for their districts when we are paying them to represent us on these bills? Do they really need a library named after them? What a waste... I would rather see a bill not get past than have to throw millions, or even billions, at a politician to get their vote.
What about "corporate welfare"? The reason this country is so prosperous is because of the free market system. What are we bailing them out for? Let them fail! If there truly is a market for what they do, some great start-up company will quickly take their place and learn from the mistakes and we'll be better as a country for it.
Puts the budget on the path to balance and pays off the debt.
Finally a PLAN to actually pay off the debt. Yes it is bold, yes it will be hard, yes we will all be affected by it but it has to happen. The only thing I worry about here is the timeline. It still gives too much time to stray away from the goal. There is no question it will take time though and it can't be done overnight so we just have to hope they/we stay focused.
Calls for a simpler, less burdensome tax code for households and small businesses. Lowers tax rates for individuals, businesses and families. Sets top rates for individuals and businesses at 25 percent. Improves incentives for growth, savings, and investment.
There is currently an ever growing number of companies that are moving their headquarters, and employees, offshore to avoid the burdensome US taxes. Let's give these companies a reason to move back. I'm not sure that 25% is low enough but it may start to show a serious attempt to improve.
Did you find yourself pulling your hair out doing taxes? I know I did! What does it have to be so complex? Only those who truly know it in and out know how to get around it. That hurts the average person. I believe a simplified tax code would go a long ways in gaining back the confidence of the Americans.
Creates nearly 1 million new private-sector jobs next year and results in 2.5 million additional private sector jobs in the last year of the decade.
The only way to create self-sustaining jobs is through the private sector. By reducing taxes on these companies and showing a path back to prosperity companies will again feel comfortable and confident to expand in the US.
There are so many more good facts and objectives in this plan that you should at least read the summary sheet. I have also attached a link to the whole plan and the plan's page for your reading enjoyment.
Click here for the Key Facts and Summary
Just a couple of the points from their key facts and summary sheet that really hit home for me are the following (their points in bold, my comments below):
Eliminates hundreds of duplicative programs, reflects the ban on earmarks, and curbs corporate welfare bringing non-security discretionary spending to below 2008 levels.
I feel so strongly about earmarks and have for a long time. Why do we have to bribe politicians with earmarks for their districts when we are paying them to represent us on these bills? Do they really need a library named after them? What a waste... I would rather see a bill not get past than have to throw millions, or even billions, at a politician to get their vote.
What about "corporate welfare"? The reason this country is so prosperous is because of the free market system. What are we bailing them out for? Let them fail! If there truly is a market for what they do, some great start-up company will quickly take their place and learn from the mistakes and we'll be better as a country for it.
Puts the budget on the path to balance and pays off the debt.
Finally a PLAN to actually pay off the debt. Yes it is bold, yes it will be hard, yes we will all be affected by it but it has to happen. The only thing I worry about here is the timeline. It still gives too much time to stray away from the goal. There is no question it will take time though and it can't be done overnight so we just have to hope they/we stay focused.
Calls for a simpler, less burdensome tax code for households and small businesses. Lowers tax rates for individuals, businesses and families. Sets top rates for individuals and businesses at 25 percent. Improves incentives for growth, savings, and investment.
There is currently an ever growing number of companies that are moving their headquarters, and employees, offshore to avoid the burdensome US taxes. Let's give these companies a reason to move back. I'm not sure that 25% is low enough but it may start to show a serious attempt to improve.
Did you find yourself pulling your hair out doing taxes? I know I did! What does it have to be so complex? Only those who truly know it in and out know how to get around it. That hurts the average person. I believe a simplified tax code would go a long ways in gaining back the confidence of the Americans.
Creates nearly 1 million new private-sector jobs next year and results in 2.5 million additional private sector jobs in the last year of the decade.
The only way to create self-sustaining jobs is through the private sector. By reducing taxes on these companies and showing a path back to prosperity companies will again feel comfortable and confident to expand in the US.
There are so many more good facts and objectives in this plan that you should at least read the summary sheet. I have also attached a link to the whole plan and the plan's page for your reading enjoyment.
Click here for the Key Facts and Summary
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Proud of Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan is one who really gets it and I'm proud that he is from Wisconsin. Wisconsin really is being a cornerstone in the nations move to become a more fiscally responsible one.
Below is a video address from Rep. Ryan and I believe it speaks for itself.
I believe that Rep. Ryan will continue to stand up for what is right and I hope that he is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means his political career (in reality I think it will lead to exactly the opposite). Like every other republican, it is my belief that if they stick to true fiscal conservatism that they are acting on behalf of the majority because the majority understand the importance of it.
Below is a video address from Rep. Ryan and I believe it speaks for itself.
I believe that Rep. Ryan will continue to stand up for what is right and I hope that he is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means his political career (in reality I think it will lead to exactly the opposite). Like every other republican, it is my belief that if they stick to true fiscal conservatism that they are acting on behalf of the majority because the majority understand the importance of it.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Spending problem? Can't we just tax the rich?
With all the public union things going on the question has come up about why we should be attacking the public unions rather than just taxing the citizens of Wisconsin more? It is my belief that America is broke and that we have a serious spending problem not a shortfall in taxing. You can only tax people so much before they no longer have any money to build businesses and hire people.
In Madison Michael Moore said that America is not broke and there is more than enough money in the country. Is that true? Do we have more than enough money in the US? I clearly don't agree with that statement but it is hard to grasp without a concrete example. Below is a video that I think highlights why we cannot simply tax the rich in order to fix our financial problems.
The first 1:50 of this video gives a little background sort of like I did above but the rest of the video gets into the actual analysis. It is very interesting and I would love to hear what people think about it and how the left proposes to cover the $3.6 trillion we are going to spend in 2011.
An important piece to remember with this video is that most of the money to cover the $3.6 trillion was generated through one-time liquidation efforts. That money will not be there to do the same thing in 2012. We have a problem... This country is going to be BROKE before we know it. If we don't significantly cut government spending the freedom and prosperity that we have enjoyed as a nation will no longer exist.
Am I blowing this out of proportion? I hope so! Please tell me what we're missing!
In Madison Michael Moore said that America is not broke and there is more than enough money in the country. Is that true? Do we have more than enough money in the US? I clearly don't agree with that statement but it is hard to grasp without a concrete example. Below is a video that I think highlights why we cannot simply tax the rich in order to fix our financial problems.
The first 1:50 of this video gives a little background sort of like I did above but the rest of the video gets into the actual analysis. It is very interesting and I would love to hear what people think about it and how the left proposes to cover the $3.6 trillion we are going to spend in 2011.
An important piece to remember with this video is that most of the money to cover the $3.6 trillion was generated through one-time liquidation efforts. That money will not be there to do the same thing in 2012. We have a problem... This country is going to be BROKE before we know it. If we don't significantly cut government spending the freedom and prosperity that we have enjoyed as a nation will no longer exist.
Am I blowing this out of proportion? I hope so! Please tell me what we're missing!
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