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Glenn Beck’s Dream of Building an Entire City-Theme Park Hybrid Called ‘Independence, USA’ Will Blow Your Mind

Jan. 10, 2013 8:45pm Tiffany Gabbay

TheBlaze’s Jason Howerton contributed to this report

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Those familiar with Ayn Rand’s famed novel, Atlas Shrugged, knows the question: “Who is John Galt?”

The answer comes at the end of the popular novel and reveals that Galt is simply (or actually, not so simply) a creator. A philosopher. An inventor. Someone who, as Glenn Beck explained in his studio Thursday evening, refused to live under the oppression of an all-powerful government bent on tamping down the very incentives that give great minds a chance to flourish.

Galt railed against the collectivist system and believed that only through freedom could people tap into their divine potential to become creators of their own: leaders, businessmen, artists, and so on. The community that was created in this spirit was called “Galt’s Gultch,” and it is that very ideal Beck strives to emulate in his own enterprises. In fact, that’s why he moved to Texas.

Drawing on this free market, limited-government model, Beck said he aspires to build an actual community based on just that. While the price tag of building an actual city-slash-theme park is steep at an estimated $2 billion, Beck said he feels compelled to move forward with his ultimate plan “once piece at a time.” Having toured “three possible sites in three different states” and having spoken to two governors already, Beck is serious in his goals.

Thus, Thursday night Beck unveiled yet another component in his American Dream Labs — an entire city called “Independence, USA.”

From glennbeck.com:

While Independence is very much a dream at this point, the proposed city-theme park hybrid would bring several of Glenn’s seemingly disconnected projects into one place. Media, live events, small business stores, educational projects, charity, entertainment, news, information, and technology R&D – all of these things would have a home in Independence. With the rest of the country and the world going away from the values of freedom, responsibility and truth, Independence would be a place built on the very foundation of those principles. A retreat from the world where entrepreneurs, artists, and creators could come to put their ideas to work. A place for families to bring their children to be inspired.

[...]

Glenn believes that he can bring the heart and the spirit of Walt’s early Disneyland ideas into reality. Independence, USA wouldn’t be about rides and merchandise, but would be about community and freedom.

While the extremely ambitious project, heavily inspired by Walt Disney, is still a dream that this point, that doesn’t mean that Beck’s American Dream Labs aren’t starting to build the pieces.

The streets of America were not paved in gold, they were paved in “people’s dreams and hard work,” Beck said before walking the audience through a sketch of the proposed development. There won’t be a “Gap” or an “Ann Taylor,” Beck noted, although the park would contain a marketplace. It will be a place where people cultivate their visions and ideas. In essence, Independence Park would be a business incubator on a grand-scale revolving around “education, independence, entrepreneurship and apprenticeship.”

Beck explains — watch part 1:

Part 2:

In addition to Independence, Beck also unveiled his plans for a truly awe-inspiring event to be launched on July 4th, titled, “The Man in The Moon.” This visual-spectacular will seek to capture and tell a quintessential American story. Complete with storyboards, Tesla coils and insight into the magnitude and scope of this production, Beck gave his audience an inside look into something that is, truly, indescribable. Watch below:

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Comments (429)

ShubalStearns
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:46am
I have my doubts, but I hope he pulls it off. He has a very optimistic vision of the future that most people cannot see or understand. Not sure how its going to work out (neither is he). It is an amazing dream, though. I say, Go for it!

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graffikephex
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:42am
I’ve been watching Glenn since 08. He has said it isn’t enough to just tell us the news that’s why theblaze tv is a verb. He can’t just sit here and talk he is taking action. We all should follow Gods will we need to open our hearts and minds so we can hear what He wants from us. Glenn is doing what he feels he is called to do. You may feel as though he isn’t telling you what you want to hear, but that’s why there are places like the blaze & drudge to read the current news. Do your own homework. If you’ve listened to Glenn then you know what’s going on & what is coming. He’s doing something remarkable, something most people would not do. He is and has done things most wouldn’t do. We must also take action we must also stand up for what is true and good. He’s not building another Disneyland, it think he is trying to build America as it once was and what is still should be.

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Snafu777
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:37am
I don’t always agree with Glenn, but I believe gh’s doing what he feels he must. Our problems are sooo much bigger than whether the UN will try to take our guns. Our freedoms may be in danger, but even more than our freedoms is the fact that we are currently losing a culture war.
Pop culture is inundated with pro socialist propaganda, decimated family values, etc. The only way to win the culture back is to build that shining city on the hill. Whether we do that through conservative media outlets like GBTV, PJTV, or Declaration Entertainment, or by building something like this “city” that could stand out as a bastion for conservative values, we will not win this war by working with these limp wristed government types.
Boehner, Bush(take your pick), and Romney may be a vastly preferable group to Obama, Clinton and their ilk, but they are still just another part of the problem. Remember: Bush Sr brought Agenda 21 home to us.G.W. helped institute the patriot act. Boehner is only a little better than a RINO, and Romney Invented Obamacare. Also, Ron Paul would be willing to let our allies, national interests and business partners across seas go unprotected, as well as allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons without apparently even a second thought. None of these men know what they are doing.
If endeavors like Independence or the Free State Project are successful, then why limit it to one spot. I’d like them both to be wildly successful, and maybe win back our country’s ve

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chrissm
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:32am
It all looks fantastic. Perhaps you would consider a quaint library with a garden in the back yard that has a sundial for leisurely reading.

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KyleD
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:25am
I love ya glenn but I think lately you’ve been a little…scary with more and more radical ideas. I mean, go for it but to me it just seems like you’ve given up on America and just biding your time until it breaks down.

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TheRegnirps
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:12am
I think the architecture can use a good dose of “The Fountainhead”! Crimminy! What a mess!

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nw5052001
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:10am
I have a feeling I won’t be invited to independance

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patriotcaudill
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 1:09am
I am not ashamed of believing in Glenn Beck. While many of you ridicule and belittle him for his grandeur ideas, I admire him for having the audacity to dream and realize that dream. Had it not been for Glenn Beck, along with the many recognizable conservative and libertarian voices, I would still be a godless, immoral progressive bent on the ruination of my life due to everybody but me. He has instilled in me a return to normalcy unpolluted by pop-cultural trends, revisionist history, and propaganda, a passion to live exceptionally, to capitalize on my ambition. To live morally with conservative principles, to fear God through restoration of my faith, and to strive for the betterment of my son’s future through determination, perseverance, and belief that I can overcome the poverty I’ve found myself relegated to due to my own poor decisions and life choices. You tell me this isn’t possible. You mock him for undertaking such a daunting task. You claim that his “Independence, USA” is merely a distraction, an inaction that detracts from the immediacy of the socialist/communist threat that looms within our great country. While you are correct, there is with no uncertainty an existential threat posed by the socialists/communists/marxists/progressives in this country, you are absolutely wrong that it is a distraction or deviation from the pursuance of liberty over tyranny. An educational theme park comprised of a marketplace of ideas is not only possible, it is revolutionary.

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jackpassmore
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 12:58am
To heck with the naysayers! May God lift up Glenn and his every endeavor! Count me in, Glenn!

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IanInCO
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 12:26am
Long time subscriber, first time poster. Watching the episode now on Roku. I got the feeling this was coming when I saw some images on his first set in the TX studio. Looked like housing/city blueprints. I think it’s the next logical step. On the surface it’s a ‘theme park’ etc. But in reality it’s a fully functioning city with all necessary resources. I would even go out on a limb and suggest it’s a defendable city as well and could serve as a ‘capitol’ of sorts or similar to a prepper community… The Alamo if you will. That’s my guess anyways. I’d buy into it. Can I open carry? :)

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Jim S
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 12:03am
Glenn!!! Glenn !!!!..Waterpark, Heritage USA…any of this ring a bell ?…stop now…

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azstrik27
Posted on January 11, 2013 at 12:03am
JULY 4th…NOT JANUARY.

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trski617
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:59pm
Glenn, Just watched your show on the Roku. Man, I can’t believe what you’re doing, and it will cost over a billion dollars???? Why this, why now?? Your ridiculing of other people is hurtful and has always bothered me. Now you want to build your version of Disneyland? Sorry man, I’m through.

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ZaphodsPlanet
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:41pm
Our egos can be one of the most dangerous things we ever truly encounter. Funny, I too have been a GBTV subscriber since day one, but I haven’t watched all week, except for Monday. When I saw Glenn bring up Disney over and over again I saw the “complex”…. I thought this would be where he was going. However, all things being said, the “city of the future” is hardly necessary. We have something Disney never did…. the internet. If he wants to build a stinking city then more power to him, just don’t go off whining or begging for money to pay for it….. because right now…. the idea not only seems insane to me, but just flat out stupid. Who knows… maybe my mind will change, but the whole effort would seem to be the result of an ego gone unchecked. Just my 2 cents. I will try to stomach this weeks shows at some point over the weekend, but I wonder if he realizes that if he does manage to build this wonderful city, he can’t be king of it…. it will become inundated with liberals which will ruin it as they have done to every city they congregate to. My feeling on this is obviously…. not good at all right now.

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2barbraw
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:36pm
If you are looking for hard hitting thought provoking information about world events you should listen to Jim “Howie” Mandel Jr weekday 10 am -12 noon est. He brings the Bible into the discussion and does not shy away from politics, not sounding like he is preaching from the pulpit.. Great Show visit his page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/howieunveilsgodsshield and website http://www.bestofmandel.com better information on world events, from politics, economics, and the middle east his site covers it all…

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HappyHarriet
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:08pm
Oh my goodness. My mind isn’t able to absorb any more of Glenn’s ideas, which I guess is a statement about my age! :)) I feel like every few weeks there’s a new slogan, a new list of “must do’s”, a new event to go to, a new show to buy tickets for or to see on the big screen, or a book to buy, or someone else’s book to buy – I can’t keep up.

I’m happy with an hour or two show every day modeled on what was on Fox and and originally on Glenn Back show when he first left Fox.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:16pm
  its what happens when a person with ADD controls everything….hopefully his employees are able to stand it
  
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jb4
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:57pm
As a fellow entrepreneur do not listen to anyone else but your heart.
Everyone always wants to tell you NO, ‘It will not succeed’ etc.
If entrepreneurs listen to others, we would never succeed.

My only advice to you is, you and your team need to FOCUS man! You are all over the place.
Focus should be in the values and principles of your company. Complete one project at a time and move from there.

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SPIKETAC
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:48pm
You folks who miss the point of Glenn’s vision for the future are myopic in scope. Have you ever heard of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the splendor of that event. Allow me to fill you in further.

The World’s Columbian Exposition was built within the short span of three years, 1890-1893, for the purpose of exhibiting to the world the magnificence of American ingenuity. At the time, Paris had just concluded the Exposition Universelle, a world fair which birthed the Eiffel Tower. The World Fair occured in 1889 and was considered a huge success among the European nations, but also was seen as a slight to the engineering and architectural minds of America whose display was abysmal. Piqued and embarrassed, the American public and her titans of industry, commerce, media distribution, and the ubiquitous politician set out to exceed the Exposition Universelle high bar that it had set.

The 400th Anniversary of Columbus’ European discovery of America was fast approaching so the idea to commemorate the occasion with a massive exposition was bandied about in power circles. Quarrels were had over the location of the Exposition, but it was eventually settled upon that the monumental task would fall upon Chicago’s shoulders. Famous architect Daniel Hudson Burnham headed up the project and under his direction with the help of the most preeminent architects, engineers, landscaping artists, and fledgling entreprenuers, Burnham created a dream city dubbed, “White Ci

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- SPIKETAC
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:14pm
  Continued from previous post:
  The White City was a place where new upstart businesses gained national attention. The debate over AC versus DC electricity was settled at the Exposition; light bulbs were, for the first time, utilized as the primary illuminating contrivance for such an event; the dishwasher was first seen there; ******* Jack Popcorn was the snack of choice for visitors; a gigantic monstronsity was errected: the Ferris Wheel, designed and created by George Washington Gale Ferris in a revelatory moment when confronted with a task of making the signature attraction for the Exposition.
  
  My point in telling this story is that the parallels amidst today and yesteryear are striking. During 1893 there was a grievous economic depression (Panic of 1893) which caused widespread layoffs and increased suicide. People had no hope. Then rumors of a grand exposition in Chicago diffused across the country; people saved what little they had of money and bought railroad fare to attend the Exposition. Open for six months, 27 million people passed through the gates and witnessed the future that Americans innovators had in store. New devices and technology to save lives, lessen strenous tasks, and improve the quality of American’s daily lives was revealed to what were typically country bumpkins who had no contact with such knowledge. People who had never seen electric lighting were amazed. It gave them hope and confidence in the future; that is what I believe Glenn is doing.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:29pm
  Beck’s city would not become what he describes unless he were the bloomberg type of mayor. There is no way you could keep atheists, unpolite, and violent people out of it. In order to achieve this sort of utopia, it would require the heavy hand of a bureaucrat mayor type who would micro manage every decision and decide who gets to come and who stays. Sounds like a nightmare to me
  
  i think it is better to be free….people naturally sort themselves out. Beckland will not exist as it is described due to human nature.
  
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soybomb315_II
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:36pm
perhaps it is time the Glenn Beck listeners WATCH THE OTHER HAND

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searching for the Truth
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:31pm
I think it is all fantastic, myself .

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stevetherealist
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:25pm
Its funny watching some of you…a little at a time, figure out what beck is really all about. Some of your will have a hard time admitting, “to yourself” that you are wrong. Those people will wear that sucker sticker for life. funny….

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- JustMeHere_01
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:50pm
  @stevetherealist
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:25pm
  Its funny watching some of you…a little at a time, figure out what beck is really all about. Some of your will have a hard time admitting, “to yourself” that you are wrong. Those people will wear that sucker sticker for life. funny
  —————————————————-
  I quit watching network news long ago before I ever heard of talk radio. I was a fan of Dan Rather when he was on 60 minutes. He replaced Walter Conkrite as the anchor on CBS news. I found I was not a fan of his as an anchor and turned to ABC and NBC to watch the news.
  
  I felt like they were trying to form my own opinions and quit watching network news other than the local news.
  
  So if you have any good suggestions on where I should turn to for my news then please inform me. I do appreciate your concern.
  
  Report this comment
Guitar Master
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:23pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
From THE REPORTER
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A pipe-dreamer in the 1st magnitude. I’ve been a subscriber to GBTV from the beginning and am about to cancel my subscription for a couple of reasons:

#1 Glenn Beck has forgotten the real theme of his show – to expose the enemy. Instead it’s a non-stop self promotion.

#2 Alex Jones is not a nut, he may be over the top at times but he is willing to go out with a megaphone and get in the thick of it. Beck and his two stooges humiliated Jones to no end. . . for what reason? Aren’t the both of you on the same side? Apparently, to Glenn, it’s more about ratings than America.

Take off the mask Glenn and watch your empire crumble ! As for me, I’m out.

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- stevetherealist
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:27pm
  good move, but not sure jones is the place to relocate….there’s got to be someone else you like?
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:40pm
  he didnt say that he would ‘relocate’ to alex jones.
  
  anyone who listens to glenn beck should visit infowars.com from time to time just to get a balanced perspective of the evil forces that live in our government.
  
  there are no glenn beck or alex jones sides – just doers and followers. which side are you on?
  
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zapparules
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:03pm
So Glenn…
Will the residents of this town of freedom, responsibility and truth have the ability to…
Openly carry whatever arms they wish?
And if say, a resident gets upset with something town managers might do will the resident have the freedom to say, stomp on the town flag – yet still keep his/her job?
And who is going to run and manage this town?
And will tax rates for everyone working there all be the same – none?

It’s ALL in the details Glenn.
Great to talk about such grand plans but… It is ALL in the details.

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700P
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:01pm
Not to be negative but this was the type of thing that brought Jim and Tammy Faye down(well plus some infidelity). I think the Jonestown references are out of line…right era/wrong evangelist. Patriots believe in fixing our beloved country, not fleeing it as the sex pervert Jones did.

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strwbryblonde
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:00pm
I am a huge fan of Walt Disney and admire your vision and all that you have built with Mercury Inc. However, in the midst of what is taking place at this time in our country I feel we really need someone who can present the facts so we can try to hold on to what remains of our great nation and its foundation, the Constitution, which is being trampled upon and fear will soon become obsolete!
We miss you Glenn!

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- JustMeHere_01
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:12pm
  @strwbryblonde
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:00pm
  I am a huge fan of Walt Disney and admire your vision and all that you have built with Mercury Inc. However, in the midst of what is taking place at this time in our country I feel we really need someone who can present the facts so we can try to hold on to what remains of our great nation and its foundation, the Constitution, which is being trampled upon and fear will soon become obsolete!
  We miss you Glenn!
  ————————————————–
  Did you miss the episode where he is adding 2 new program within the next 60 days. One is a weekly hour show and the other one is a daily 30 minute broadcast that are based on the likes of Night Line an 60 minutes.
  
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- strwbryblonde
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 10:49pm
  JustMeHere – I did see that program and will certainly tune in. I do wish Glenn well in his endeavors and am certainly not posting to squash or be critical of his ambitions. We all have gifts, some many. And I realize Glenn can not be all things to all people, however I do believe his greatest gift is as teacher. he has the ability to clarly and consisely present the facts. I really miss that!!
  I, like most, work and am raising a family. My time is a very valuable commodity and I truely strive to use it wisely. Although I try to keep up on what is going on in order to be prepared for what I fear is now at our door step, I do not have the time to do so in a truely meaningful manner. Glenn had researchers and investigative reporters who diligently worked to report what otherwise is not reported or buried in a small paragraph on the last page of the paper. The information was thoroughly vetted before reported upon. If I believed a fraction of some of the things reported online I’d be hiding in a foxhole somewhere!! To throughly research and disseminate the information would require a fll time staff!!
  
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- theotherberean
  Posted on January 11, 2013 at 8:52pm
  What will those programs be like? Beck said today on his radio show that he and his crew were tired of doing the news. If that’s the case then he might as well shut it down and go home and milk his cows.
  
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