I read Common sense and was delighted at Becks very methodical slow dissemination of the federal government. It is sobering to realize just how expansive and out of control our governemnt is now. At one point in our nations history, states had more rights and actual power than the feds did...the FEDS were subservient to the STATES. Sobering thought indeed. Government can not help but grow, and progressives are usually the real culprit at work. Becks stance is that most of them feel what they are doing is right, but in doing so we are slowly continuting the march towards socialism. He lays out some very basic things that would indeed help this country. The first, and probably easiest to implement, is term limits. No more career politicians.

I think a majority of Americans have become very disillusioned with both political parties, and Beck is all too aware of this. Most conservatives see the lies and vices that their party has, but they figure that Republicans are the lesser of two evils. Becks approach is that both parties will eventually lead to the same place, which is absolute tyranny by the majority or socialism. Seeing todays state of affairs it is hard to call him a liar.

The only reason this review gets 4 stars and not 5 is because there is no real sense of urgency with this book. Which is very unlike Beck if you are familiar with his approach to government.

This short volume by Glenn Beck is one that should be read by all Americans.

He does a superb job of outlining the major problems facing our nation today. He is certainly an equal opportunity exposer. The nefarious schemes by both Republicans and Democrats are brought to light. Some of the things that he does very well here are pointing out things that government does that regular citizens with any degree of sense would never do. As he says, 'The laws of common sense do not change according to scale.' We cannot grow the economy out of debt.

The case that Beck makes is extremely sensible and very libertarian. He does not try to justify the foolish actions of either party. Although everyone can see that we are in the midst of a total economic disaster, Barack Obama is not solely responsible for it. George W. Bush started this train down the wrong tracks. Unfortunately, the current president and his cronies in Congress have 'just increased the speed at which our misdirected train is traveling'.

One section of this book that is particularly insightful is Beck's analysis of 'the cancer of progressivism' in both parties and in many other institutions. He also has some very interesting ideas for turning things around. One of them is the imposition of term limits not just on politicians, but also on 'every public servant - including bureaucrats, administrators, judges, and appointees'. Clearly if those who subject us to their inane ideas knew that they would have to live with them in a short period of time, it would be a strong disincentive to destroy freedom and economic sanity.

We have very serious problems that have been created by the political class and need to be fixed. The failure to do so will doom our children and grandchildren to a grim existence. Every American should read this book and share it with others.