Posted on 09/18/2009 9:42:23 AM PDT by nickcarraway
I had the chance to hear bestselling author and FOX TV host Glenn Beck speak to a packed house Tuesday night in Lansing at the Kellogg Center on the campus of MSU.
Love or hate Mr. Beck, he's a skilled communicator and very good at getting people to question and think seriously about the challenges we face as a nation, and in particular the state of Michigan. I ask that you bring an open mind for a unique analysis of his speech that was bravely sponsored by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Throughout his program Tuesday night I kept thinking, this guy speaks his mind and isn't afraid. Wow, how different than most play-it-safe, and well scripted politicians who are afraid to say anything these days for fear of starting controversy or offending someone. Aren't we adults who should encourage open and honest debate? I'm certain like the headline of this blog post, that if he ran for Governor things would change not only in the state, but I'm certain that people would start talking about serious issues and opportunities that confront us.
With one of my goals being to focus on the good things we're doing as a state, I'm going to stay true to my core and share with you three things I enjoyed regarding Mr. Beck's presentation that I'm confident friend and foe alike will agree are things we should ALL strive to do better.
1. He hammered home was the importance of helping our fellow citizens when they are truly in need. We have quite a bit of that these days in Michigan and the record unemployment numbers don't lie. He mentioned a story during his upbringing in Mt. Vernon, WA and working for his father's bakery business and a lesson in kindness his father displayed to a recent widow in serious need. He also shared a time where his father became upset with a customer who was abusing the system and described it as theft and a handout. Both stories were instructive and of value.
2. The power of persistence. He mentioned several examples of persistence in action from the lives of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and candy mogul Milton Hershey to help prove his point. "We do not let people learn from their failures. The road to success is paved with failure which when learned from, often produces innovation" he stated.
3. The belief that we can overcome the current economic challenges. I was frankly amazed at how motivational his speech was as I expected it to be primarily about politics after reading his latest book Common Sense. As I glanced around the room and gauged body language and reactions I noticed that even critics seemed refreshed to hear a positive message from an ulikely messenger in their eyes.
Glenn Beck for Governor? Imagine how interesting in would get in Lansing if that announcement came down? I'm certain both parties would be scared to death. Finally, someone not afraid to openly speak his mind to question the status quo. Again, whether you like him or not, his ability to get people thinking, engaged and asking tough questions is something that we all need to be doing more of these days in Michigan!
No way. I dont want him to start drinking again.
As I resident of Michigan I’d say, yes. Good communication, however, does not mean one can run a state.
Seems to me that the threshold question is why Beck or anybody else would want to be governor of Michigan. It seems a pretty thankless job.
He should run for President.
No! We need him where he is: he has a HUGE audience.
No.
Glenn Beck is a stellar political commentator, but he would predictably make a lousy politician.
He’s doing a LOT of good right where he is. Let him continue. If he ran and lost, he would never recover his current authority with his audience and likely would not even get his job back.
I’ve been thinking the same thing. He could accomplish a lot in Washington.
We'll all say the same thing about Zer0. He can read off a teleprompter flawlessly, but that doesn't mean he can govern a country.
I’d say yes. He can’t do any worse than Granholm. There’s nowhere to go but up.
I especially like how she has gone back on her PROMISE of the Michigan Promise grant. /s But, then again she is probably just following the feds lead, since they backed out on their grant.
He is better where he is at
No, he’s much more valuable doing what he’s doing.
No, he is doing far more good where he is at.
Glen Beck would not want the job..why sell your soul to the devil when you have the whole country listening to you ..No he should not run for any crooked office..
Beck needs to stay right where he is - it’s the power chair...
DITTO. same thing has been said about Rush, Levin, Hannity ,and others on the National scene. Due to campaign laws they would have to leave their show, right at the point when we need them the most, the 2010-2012 election seasons.
I agree!!! To bad we can’t clone him though. Michigan could sure use someone like him that’s fer sure. Get rid of the Granholm woman. Fat lot of good she’s done us.
Of what?
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