Government

‘Cheap Patriotism’: Van Jones’ New Book Attacks Tea Party, Glenn Beck

Former White House Green Jobs Czar Van Jones has become infamous among Tea Party activists and their allies by this point as the 9/11 Truth spouting former communist who helped craft the Obama administration‘s strategy on green jobs while rallying the administration’s progressive base. Now, Jones has published a memoir about his experiences in the administration. If preliminary excerpts and interviews with Jones are any guide, it’s somewhere between a semi-sober reflection on the past and a vicious polemic against Jones’ political adversaries including, but not only, the Tea Party movement and Glenn Beck himself.

The Leftist website “Democracy Now” has reprinted what looks to be the introduction to Jones’ book. It definitely starts off on a fiery note, denouncing Tea Partiers and talking up Occupy Wall Street in several revealing passages:

Of course, it will not be easy to stop the dream killers. Tax policy that burdens working families and gives the biggest breaks to the super-rich has helped to keep more and more of our national wealth locked in the private safes of the top 1 percent. This alarming economic polarization, combined with the constant flow of good-paying jobs overseas, threatens to end our status as a middleclass nation. Too many of our big banks and largest corporations are behaving in a manner that is both irresponsible and unpatriotic. Their conduct makes it that much worse for the many patriotic and responsible businesses—especially small businesses—that follow the rules and provide good jobs to their employees.

Additionally, many well-intentioned people have been recruited into a powerful crusade—the Tea Party movement—that promises the American people economic relief by slashing taxes and taking a wrecking ball to America’s government. The impact of the Tea Party’s reckless policies would be to financially decimate our government, further dismantle America’s middle class, and strengthen the chokehold that the top 1 percent has on the economy. Nonetheless, the Tea Partiers effectively seized the public narrative in 2009 and congressional power in 2010, quelling the wave of hope generated by the 2008 election. They have succeeded at painting their agenda “red, white, and blue.” If we are to have an economy that works for the remaining 99 percent, this kind of “cheap patriotism” must be sidelined in favor of a “deep patriotism”—one that honors the accomplishments of our parents and grandparents. After all, they used the tools of both free enterprise and democratic government to build a society that sets the global standard.[...]

Corporate America’s millions of casualties are beginning to find their voices, stand together, and fight back—against joblessness, homelessness, and despair. The destruction of America’s middle class is meeting with angry opposition in the streets. The protest wave began in February 2011. It was powered by public fury over union-busting legislation proposed by Tea Party governors in Wisconsin and Ohio. It grew throughout the spring, as students mobilized to oppose tuition hikes, and foreclosure victims resisted evictions. In the summer of 2011, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in every U.S. congressional district to rally against devastating budget cuts under the slogans “Jobs Not Cuts” and “Save the American Dream.”

Powerful stuff, but according to a companion piece by the Huffington Post, this isn‘t the tenor of Jones’ entire book. He comes up to breathe and even reflect on his time in the administration at various points. He even takes a critical view of the Obama administration’s approach to coordinating with liberal activists, accusing them of writing legislation before talking to their base, and then more or less forcing their base to accept that legislation, rather than take input.

And, of course, he talks about his experience being “targeted” by Glenn Beck for his previous ties. Though he obviously dislikes Beck for forcing him out of office, Jones does drop one interesting nugget, highlighted below:

Jones reports that he initially asked Color of Change leader James Rucker to stop a boycott against Beck, worried that it would backfire. Beck succeeded in ousting Jones, but the assault on his advertising base was also successful, and Beck is no longer on Fox News.

It took a toll on Jones. “Unless you have been at the center of a media firestorm, it is almost impossible to describe how unreal it is,” he writes. “There is a face on television, and it is yours. But the commentary around that face is so distorted that it may as well be the visage of another person. One day, you are a three-dimensional person, known to your friends and colleagues in all your complexity, good and bad. The next day, you are flattened-out, two-dimensional, billboard-sized caricature of yourself on your worst day. Your name is everywhere, but you no longer exist.

“The disconnect between your inflated televised image and the logistics of your practical life is particularly disorienting,” he continues. “You still live in the same house. No limo appears to take you anywhere, just because your face is on television. You still have to run down the street in the rain to catch the bus and the train.”

You can watch Jones’ elevator pitch to the Huffington Post below:

 

One thing that can definitely be said is that Jones’ views, while they might not have moderated, they’ve certainly become more cynical.
“I have a 360 view. I saw how too many people at the White House level, they didn’t understand the grassroots, social movement side, and too many people on the social movement side didn’t understand the White House, so this book is for what I call the ‘post-hope’ Democrat,” Jones says. “We know reelecting Obama ain’t gonna do it.”

Comments (102)

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  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:18am

    Liberals are always ready to Share The Wealth… Just not the labor….

    Report Post »  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:38am

      Is Oakland Vannie Jones RED SQUARE?
      More violence reported there recently.
      Maybe Vannie wants the job of mayor of WATTS?

      Combine Vannie with George Soros and you have one crazed spooky hungarian black communist.

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:08am

      “the Tea Party movement—that promises the American people economic relief by slashing taxes and taking a wrecking ball to America’s government. The impact of the Tea Party’s reckless policies would be to financially decimate our government, further dismantle America’s middle class, and strengthen the chokehold that the top 1 percent has on the economy.”

      Actually, we would slash taxes and decimate the federal government to instantly remove the chokehold the “1 percent” ,as you like to call it, has on the economy which would strengthen the middle class even stronger than the already strongest middle class ever seen in the history of the world.

      Report Post » lordjosh  
    • encinom
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:30am

      Tell that BS to the labor unions in that are fighting back against the GOP tyrants in Wisconsin and Ohio. Its the Beck’s of the world that let his lemming listners act as human shields as he preaches safely in the rear. Its the Becks that have convinced his lemmings to vote against their self-interest and for the insterests of the 1%.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:38am

      ENCINOM: You are a little late to this party, and a little lame in your response. I smell desperation.

      Report Post »  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:42am

      Lordjosh

      You said it brother. I was thinking why the hell can’t these commies see that freedom and liberty from tyranny is what created the largest middle class in the world.

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:04am

      CHEAP PATRIOTISM?
      What does Mr. Jones call using tax dollars to purchase votes through entitlement spend and claiming to be American. Or how about supporting congressman because they promise you more and more entitlements. ANTI-PATRIOTISM/COMMUNISM/EVIL

      Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:53am

      VJ, you wouldn’t know patriotism if it fell on you.

      Ideological dogma, that’s a different story. Socialism “IS” NOT a representation of ‘patriotism’ as it is understood in the common lexicon.

      DO NOT let these intellectually dishonest subversives steal your ability to think rationally. The one thing that you WILL find that you miss more than any other single thing once you become a tool of socialism, is your ability to figure things out on your won. To be an autonomous mind.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:10am

    Too bad the DREAM, is everybody on WELFARE……..

    Report Post »  
    • Lord_Frostwind
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:29am

      There are very few times I take pride in crushing people’s dreams, Jones, the Islam-O-Facists and a laundry list of others I take great joy in watching their dreams crumble into oblivion. If crushing the NeoCommie’s dreams will put an end to them once and for all, then I will do that and sing as I do so.

      Watch out Vanny, the Dream Killers are coming, and your fantasy is going to end in a ballot box, or in blood and tears.

      Report Post » Lord_Frostwind  
  • Susie
    Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:09am

    These radicals always do this. They take their dreams of power and domination and craft them into a demonizing narrative of anyone who opposes them. They believe that this gives them perfect cover to realize the very same goals they claim to despise.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:00am

    Is he making money for this book? Wouldn’t want him engaging in capitalism now would we.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • YtownSports
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 2:51pm

      It’s “convenient capitalism.” Van, I don’t know where you live or what you drive, but how about giving it all up and living among “the people?”

      Report Post » YtownSports  
  • Oldbutnotsenile
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:56pm

    His speech really is stupid when he talks about the 1 percent owning it all and destroying the middle class. Who does he think got him where he is today and his buddy Obama if it wasn’t for the rich bankers and billionaires they know. Are they going to be exempt when we reach this wonderful Utopia he and Obama have waiting for us or will they just regulate us to death nice and slow.

    Report Post »  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:41pm

    The minister of propaganda.

    Report Post » ShyMan  
    • Oldbutnotsenile
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:48pm

      This man was exposed by Glenn as a Commie and Obama had no recourse but to ask for his resignation. There are others at the WH just as bad, but haven’t come right out and admitted it. The one that writes all the regulations is hopefully the next to get his butt kicked out.

      Report Post »  
  • deathspiral
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:40pm

    Does anyone really listen to this guy? Seems like that whole ‘being associated with commie party’ might be a red flag (pun intended!). Hello, I’m Van Jones. blah blah blah blah blah. Don’t listen!

    Report Post » deathspiral  
  • -theFairView-
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:36pm

    [NEW POST] Van Jones: The Radical Pose http://thefairviewreport.blogspot.com/2012/04/van-jones-radical-pose.html

    Report Post » -theFairView-  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:33pm

    all of our friends know one thing = NEVER BUY van jones’ book. we spit on him.

    Report Post »  
    • Oldbutnotsenile
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:49pm

      Definitely do not buy his book and support his radical and revolutionary ways/.

      Report Post »  
  • Paul
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    Oh! Your gonna love this…

    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/154432

    Report Post » Paul  
  • Unix
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    Well, at least we are Patriots, but Van my boy, you are just cheap!

    Report Post » Unix  
  • inblack
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    So dismantling big govt will destroy the middle class?

    Van you need to explain that one, oh never mind, I’ve read enough Marx for a lifetime.

    We need big govt so smart people like you and Oblama can create utopia – yeah heard that one.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:28pm

    he is such an idiot. good thing liberals use the library and this budding capitalist won’t be on the best seller list unless some idiot college decides to use it in their curriculum

    Report Post »  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:22pm

    communists trying to make profits makes me laugh. that’s how dangerous communists are: they want ALL the money. they don’t want YOU to have any. and they will KILL you to get it.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:21pm

    .
    This African needs to go…………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:27pm

      i for one will never buy or read any material put out by him or any of the socialist he runs with…….including obama

      Report Post »  
  • IndianaUSA
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Van,
    Glenn did not force you out of office. He simply lifted up the rock that your past was hiding under. He exposed your founding of Storm and your radical communist ties. Did Barry say “ UH OH” and show you the door out? Kinda like he did with the good Reverend Wright.

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:59am

      That and Glenn merely put a new microphone to so many of the awful things that Van uttered on camera. He couldn’t very well deny any of it either.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:17pm

    TOOL…………………… lol

    Report Post »  
  • possom
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:13pm

    We need to boycott whoever would publish this crap!

    Report Post » possom  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:32am

      The timing of his new book coming out couldn’t be better for me! I just ran out of toilet paper.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:58am

      GONZO, go for the paperback version then. The pages are softer. Cheaper too.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:12pm

    so the book will be free, correct? because anybody that tries to make money is a “dream killer.”

    I believe his dream is what Stalin had in mind for the Soviet Union. that worked out just swimmingly, didn’t it?

    Report Post »  
  • auntmoxie.com
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:10pm

    He’s going for the nomination… at some point.

    Report Post » auntmoxie.com  
  • blackyb
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:10pm

    Your dreams need to be in another country where they can be appreciated. Our generosity got us into this mess by trusting the likes of hijacked democrats who are wolves in sheeps clothing. There are many of you who are literally snuffing your dreams up your nose and now want to “share the wealth” at everyone elses’ expense.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:28pm

      he must have read gattica………solient green and fareinheight 451

      Report Post »  
  • Rockyspoon
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:10pm

    Van Jones’ “Dream” is actually a nightmare.

    I have no idea how he could get so totally screwed up.

    Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:09pm

    Is it true that Van Jones is barney franks secret lover

    Report Post »  
    • Dde13
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:02am

      That’s funny:) when I hear him speak I do what any good red blooded American should do…turn the channel….quickly!

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:08pm

    Once again we see the true dangers the radical progressives and socialist/communists present to the future of the Republic. He is right on on thing though, we who love this country to the end will be very difficult to stop, for we value liberty and self determination more than we do that of eternal serfdom and captivity as Van Jones wants to impose upon all of us.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • blackyb
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:05pm

    So we are standing in the way of your dream? Perhaps your “dream” is a nightmare for America.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • Laus Deo
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:09pm

      With an AR and a holstered 9. Come get your ‘red’ dream, Van, you pinko puke.

      Report Post » Laus Deo  
    • CatB
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:11pm

      As a member of the TEA Party from the first protest … and a Glenn Beck Fan .. I AM SO PROUD >>> I PRAY WE SPOIL HIS AND OBAMA’S DREAM!

      OMG 2012!

      Report Post »  
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