Entertainment

Liberal or Conservative? Both Sides Trying to Claim ‘Hunger Games’ As Their Own — Why?

The New York Times best-selling series “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins makes it to the big screen this week, meaning the audience made aware of the book’s dystopian sentiments is bound to expand from its already more than 23.5 million copies sold.

The book is popular across age groups — although it is classified as young adult — and even crosses party lines. Depending on who you talk to, liberals or conservatives, both groups seem to see their cause in the book. The Hollywood Reporter even pointed out, according to Amazon’s top-selling cities list, that the book is popular in “West Coast cities with strong technology economies and reputations as liberal hotbeds and sunbelt cities perceived as more conservative.” This begs the question: Why is it resonating with both sides?

Hunger Games Touches on Political Issues and Global Warming Liberal or Conservative?

Characters Effie Trinket, a Capitol citizen, and heroine Katniss Everdeen of District 12, the coal-mining district. (Photo: The Hunger Games)

To answer, let’s first recap the story.

The stage for the book is a futuristic view of the United States: a 12 district society called Panem with a central capitol. Each district has a staple duty or good to produce and some are more well-off than others. The Capitol represents the elites and oppressors who are obsessed with outward appearance and gorging themselves on the finer things in life (it is not unusual to see Capitol citizens have their skin dyed a certain color or taking drugs to force themselves to vomit so they can eat and drink more).

Natural disasters created this new society centered around the Capitol – an event that is not described in depth in the book – and an uprising against the Capitol led to the current fractured state of Panem. It is as a reminder of this failed uprising that the Capitol holds the Hunger Games: a forcibly televised event — television and other communications are censored by the Capitol — where each district submits a male and female “tribute” who will enter an elaborate arena and violently fight to the death until there is only one left standing.

Watch the trailer for the film for a bit more background on the state of Panem and the games:

While the concept may sound fantastical, its “Brave New World” and “1984” undertones have teenagers and adults enraptured. Why is the concept of the trilogy so popular? Joe Romm for Think Progress speculates it could be timing, with two politically charged events eerily similar to some ideas in the book. These modern day events being the Occupy movement and man-made global warming.

Here are some of Romm’s thoughts:

The books also had some fortunate timing for the author in terms of catching the zeitgeist, since perhaps the core theme is the 99% (the 12 districts) vs. the 1% (Panem), the poor and underfed vs. the rich and overfed.

I try to stay on top of the latest in post-apocalypse pop culture, mainly because there has been so little of it in recent years — see Apocalypse Not: The Oscars, The Media And The Myth of ‘Constant Repetition of Doomsday Messages’ on Climate. And when I heard the most popular new YA book series was built around food insecurity, I couldn’t resist. After all, as I’ve written in the journal Nature, “Feeding some 9 billion people by mid-century in the face of a rapidly worsening climate may well be the greatest challenge the human race has ever faced.”

The Hunger Games makes that challenge a literal and hyper-violent one. But like much (though not all) post-apocalyptic fiction, the book spends exceedingly little time actually explaining to anyone how we got in this mess.

Hunger Games Touches on Political Issues and Global Warming Liberal or Conservative?

Peeta Melark, a baker's son, is the male tribute from District 12. (Photo: The Hunger Games)

Romm points out that only one sentence hints at how society as we know it came to be Panem. The mayor of Panem begins the description at the annual Hunger Games (Editor’s note: emphasis added):

He tells the history of Panem, the country that rose up out of the ashes of a place that was once called North America. He lists the disasters, the droughts, the storms, the fires, the encroaching seas that swallowed up so much of the land, the brutal war for what little sustenance remained. The result was Panem, a shining Capitol ringed by thirteen districts, which brought peace and prosperity to its citizens. Then came the Dark Days, the uprising of the districts against the Capitol. Twelve were defeated, the thirteenth obliterated.

This sentence aligns with the global warming message present today, although it doesn’t explicitly state how the warming was caused. As Romm points out, the book is set at the 74th annual Hunger Games and there is still a coal-mining district at this time. This would be District 12 where the heroine Katniss Everdeen resides.

Hunger Games Touches on Political Issues and Global Warming Liberal or Conservative?

Katniss and her friend Gale. (Photo: The Hunger Games)

But in a review of the book, the Christian magazine World doesn’t see it the same way as Romm. It states that even with the strong, violent content in the book, which it condemns, there are redeeming qualities. For example, it leads readers to think:

Is government the answer? In this scenario, it’s the problem, and the media its willing servant. Will a return to stable families save us?

It may be of worth noting that religion is not addressed at any point in the series.

The message board for “independent, grass-roots conservatism,” Free Republic,” also has a discussion on the ultimate political goal of the book. One commenter writes, “I‘ve heard some conservatives claiming that it’s a politically conservative message, but I’m not convinced.” Here are some of the responses:

  • Onelifetogive: The first two seem to have(at least) an anti-big-govt bent. Those opposing the big-govt are the heros.
  • IYAS9YAS: I took it as a struggle against oppression and a fight for freedom. I think the ending was a warning to not become that which you despised and fought against to begin with.
  • Albionin: I think the theme of the books is you can’t keep the human spirit down forever. Eventually the natural yearning for liberty will overcome any repression. I also think the world of the Hunger Games is a fictional representation of North Korea. People there are running the gauntlet not to entertain the elite but to escape, but everything else is eerily similar to that country.
  • Personal Responsibility: I’ve read all three books. The political commentary is not as cut and dried as “Conservative vs. Liberal”. It’s more like an all powerful state abusing its citizens, a spark ignites revolution and what the state will do to keep power. The message of the book is reminiscent of the message in 1984 — all powerful government is inherently corrupt and evil — but they don’t really get to that part of the story until the 2nd book and it’s not really emphasized until the 3rd.

So, do those with more liberal leanings connect with the “99 percent” and mild global warming message in the book? Do conservatives share sentiments for the citizens’ rumblings against the oppressive, anti-capitalistic government? Or is it the common discontent toward a government that oppressively controls rations, forces sacrifice of 12 to 18 year-olds and limits communication and free speech that has audiences singing its praises?

The Hunger Games is the first book/movie in the trilogy. “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” are the second and third books, respectively.

Read and watch and let us know what you think.

Comments (159)

1 2 3 4
  • zchance
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:50pm

    I am surprised that this tidbit isn’t included in the article, but I at the end of the last book on audio there is a commentary by the author. She made it very clear what her intention was in writing the books ie. America is like District 1 consuming all of the resources, and the rest of the districts were intended to represent the rest of the world. She said she wanted to show young people that as Americans their comfortable lives were built on the backs and at the expense of the rest of the world.

    Unfortunately for her and other writers like Winston Groom (Forrest Gump), once a book is written it is no longer exclusively the property of it’s author. On the other hand, part of every dollar you spend on her books and derivative products goes straight into the pockets of a woman who would like to see the world made over, with America in a decidedly less prominent position.

    Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Thank you for this comment; I didn’t know about this (I recall the third book just ending a bit suddenly, and then I put it down in disgust and can‘t recall if there was an author’s note). It’s always interesting to know what the writer had in mind and how it differed from what readers find.

      Report Post »  
    • So
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 8:58pm

      The author and current president are working towards equalizing the US now. And doing a damned good job of it. Sad to say.

      Where are the people in power to put a stop to it? What happened to upholding our constitution? Treason? Inciting riots? There are games going on alright. Right under our noses and it’s plot is deeper than the book that is referred to.

      Report Post »  
    • From Virginia
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 9:44pm

      Thanks for the commentary regarding the author. I absolutely detest people who think as she does. America producing the majority of the food the world consumes. America produced most of the inventions that raised the quality of life for people in the entire world. To say that use resources that come from the rest of the world is absurb. The wood we use comes from OUR forests. The metal from OUR mines. The stone we use comes from OUR quarries. We grow our own food and the power we used comes from the grid that WE built. We exported all our technology and we also export our resources.

      I am TIRED of these people saying we stole something when we are the most generous nation on the planet! Once we are gone the world will be a much poorer, darker and souless place!

      Report Post »  
    • TC
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:26pm

      She has made her intentions very clear in several interviews that are available online. None of them said this. If she wanted to be very clear, it seems these words would be said often and east to find as you state. She says her Father was in Nam and has alot of the influence over these books. I would like to hear you accusation for myself. My wife has the audio books and I will listen when she gets back in town to the “commentary”.

      Report Post » TC  
    • mommaLION
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:22pm

      I agree LOCKED – it ended very abruptly and I was disappointed she didn’t take a little more time working out the finish. ZCHANCE – Thanks for sharing that, I hadn’t heard that either – what a ridiculous commentary by Ms. Collins! The US government gives and gives and gives money to so many other nations. They don’t even appreciate it. The governments of other countries are stealing the money that we pour out to them. Ms. Collins may not like it – but it inspired the “fire starter” in ‘conservative’ little ol’ me! Government is not the answer!

      Report Post »  
    • unwillingchild
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:49am

      I just checked out the last disc of the third book on audio. The author says no such thing.

      Report Post »  
    • GUNNSUP
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:51am

      And Rahm Emanuel with the blue hair…hahahahahaha. Looks like a bunch of lib garbage to me….

      Report Post » GUNNSUP  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:52am

      Why are sheeple still watching anything that comes out of Hollywood?

      Report Post » jcldwl  
    • TC
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 7:22am

      ZCHANCE, unwillingchild says there is no commentary at the end of the audio series third book. What gives? Slander is just as despicable as left wing politics in my opinion.

      Report Post » TC  
    • zchance
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:25am

      It seems I must issue something of a correction, I may have inferred more from her words than was explicitly there, and if I have misrepresented her then I apologize. I listened to the book when it first came out and I was deeply irritated at the ending, I was about to run the audio off then the author came on and started talking about how the inspiration for the book was watching a reality tv show then switching channels to watch coverage of the Iraq war and flipping back and forth and having the two ideas of people competing for money on TV while others were competing for their life and then she talked about what she wanted children to take from her book.

      Here are her actual words, “What would I like young readers to ultimately take away from the Hunger Games trilogy? Questions about how elements of the book might be relevant in their own lives? Like, how do you feel about the fact that some people take their next meal for granted when so many people are starving in the world? What do you think about the choices of your government past and present or other governments around the world make? Whats your relationship to reality tv vs. your relationship to the news? Was their anything in the book that disturbed you because it reflected aspects of your own life and if it was what can you do about it?”

      I find it unlikely the author intended the series to have conservative themes but I clearly misrepresented her based on my own faulty memory of what she said.

      Report Post »  
    • Mark13
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:32am

      Qwisp! That was my favorite cereal about 40 years ago. Qwisp and Quake. As far as Hunger Games goes, I just get this image of the two teens at the start of the games standing up and telling the government, “I will not comply.” Then the movie ends. Five minutes long.

      Report Post »  
    • Trance
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:45am

      I like to read the books my daughters read, so I read this trilogy recently. I took it as an anti-America book when I read it, with the Capital as America, and the 12 districts as the rest of the world. So, I would say it is more of a liberal message than a conservative one.

      However, for the book to work, the districts that made war on the capital were repressed even more after they lost. It is like a Pol Pot reaction. When I was reading the books, it reminded me of a speech from the series “Firefly” when Jane said “Far as I see it, you people been given the shortest end of the stick ever been offered a human soul in this crap-heel ‘verse. But you took that end, and you – well, you took it. And that’s – Well, I guess that’s somethin”.

      In the real world, we’ve had nations rise up and kill millions of innocents in ways that are far worse than can be described. After the United States (along with it’s allies) defeated them, they were rebuilt and have become some of the most free and prosperous nations on the face of the earth. (Germany and Japan) So, while the Capital means to represent American prosperity, it comes from a place of hatred for that prosperity rather than as a symbol that other nations should follow.

      Report Post » Trance  
    • Trance
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:53am

      It thought the inspiration for the book was “Battle Royal”, which is a Japanese movie where kids are forced to fight to the death against each other with randomly supplied weapons. It’s basically the same thing without the back story of “Hunger Games”.

      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

      Report Post » Trance  
    • unwillingchild
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:54am

      There are clear parallels to the Roman empire. Even some of the names are clearly Roman. It’s science fiction and dystopian societies are a very common theme. I think you’re reading too much into it.

      Report Post »  
    • GetsGreased
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:38am

      Just as it’s nearly impossible to discuss issues of fairness and politics with the left, I have little concern with ‘why’ Ms. Collins wrote what she wrote. I suspect her view of America is not unlike Obama‘s or any good leftist who attributes this nation’s greatness to luck, theft and colonial oppression. The fundamental difference between the left and the right is the left’s belief that luck and unfairness creates wealth, from a reservoir of fixed amount of wealth.

      Anyone who has succeeded knows that luck has little to do with it for most. It’s about hard work, making the responsible choices, and trying to be self-reliant. All three of these traits are constantly attacked by the left, though, since their goal is a society of government dependency and support. Dependency is bred by laziness, making the wrong choices, and a willingness to demand from others what you need to sustain your lifestyle. All of these traits are pushed by the left through every policy and program they implement.

      I loved the Hunger Games series. It was a great story, and seemed to parallel almost exactly what the Marxist agenda of Obama and his radicals will result in if successful; a government elite that controls industry and oppresses the masses for its benefit. It actually equates to colonial America under British oppression, until revolution threw off the tyrant and freedom and liberty were born.

      Report Post » GetsGreased  
    • 912TexasMom
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:52pm

      That’s so good to know… I was identifying with the conservative premise. I’m so disappointed to hear this, but glad to know. I read the books and haven’t heard any interviews that had that information. Thanks for posting it. Did you identify with it in a more positive and conservative light prior to hearing that from the author?

      Report Post »  
    • vitagreg
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:26pm

      I read all three books of the trilogy all the time feeling it was a description of post-Obama life in what was the U.S.

      Report Post »  
    • sdarbro
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 10:17am

      There are not enough resources in the world for every person to live as a wealthy author. There just aren’t

      Report Post » sdarbro  
    • StanO360
      Posted on April 11, 2012 at 2:27pm

      Good fiction authors are like actors, not necessarily an association between intelligence and success. Maybe even usually not.

      Report Post »  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:48pm

    Cover Photo of this girl sure looks like it’s been cut and pasted. Look at here neck. Have you ever seen a Manly Neck as hers on any girl or woman. Outside of Linda Lovelace?

    MrKnowItAll  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:38am

      Are you talking about the young woman who plays the heroine in this book and film? Because if you are, you are a moron. This is the same actress that played Raven in X-Men Origins. While you might reject her for having a strong neck and not being a bulimic model who looks a day away from death, I’ll be enjoying her performance. Sucks to be you.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • Teabunny
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:55pm

      Booyah Sarge! on behalf of all us real women…thank you!

      Report Post » Teabunny  
  • justateen
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:45pm

    How many of you guys have actually read the books? I find some of these comments ridiculous. The books are great, especially for young adults such as myself. Over the multiple times I’ve read the books, I never once noticed a big political agenda that leans right or left. It’s simple a story about a girl forced into a deadly competition by a government who rules with fear and power. If anything, it’ about rising up against an oppressor. Nothing new in fiction.
    It does not indoctrinate kids into thinking bloody fights to the death are cool. It actually just emphasizes the horror that these teens had to go through in the arena. I’m sure you could find both conservative and liberalpoints in the story. You could do that with any book.
    Collins is a great writer and the movie looks great. If you like dystopian YA fiction, you will love these books. As a huge conservative, I find nothing wrong with the series, and unless your looking for reasons to hate the book, you won’t find one.

    Report Post »  
    • goahead.makemyday
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:56am

      I agree with you I love the books. And the only big political thing I saw was in Mockingjay. Where when discussing what type of government they wanted, they said a Republic. As for minor stuff it was all about the abused citizens of a tyrannical government fighting back. I believe that if anything this book closest resembles the American Revolution, then setting up a republic. Of course both leaders being bad were for the book. I just hope the movie can do it justice, but Hollywood being Hollywood they would cut out major portions add stuff in that wasn’t there. All to make it as left leaning and pro-occupy as possible, especially Mockingjay since the first one they can’t do too much to(I hope) .

      Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:43am

      I’d have to say (with the caveat that I have only heard my wife’s summary of the books) that they have a slight anti-tyranny angle to them. In the books, the nation has several states and after a war, there is one state (district) that controls all of the other states and decides what they will produce and how much food they will receive. Then the states are supposed to rise up against the tyrannical and controlling District 1 and end the tyranny. Sounds the opposite of what the progressives and liberals want. But their minds are so warped that they don’t even know the ends to their own game plan anyhow, so they might think it is pro-them.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • morpherson
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:02am

      OK, finally something that inspired me enough to register and comment. I loved these books. Not because I agree with everything in them, but because of the perspective given. I lived for 2 years in Bolivia, and my wife is from there. When I look at my kids, I know that they do not have the same perspective as my wife or I regarding the blessings that we enjoy. My oldest just turned 12 and I thought that she could gain some perspective from reading these books. To my delight she did. OK, she is overjoyed the Taylor Swift is singing the main song from the movie, but she did start to appreciate things. The best thing about literature is that you take from it what you want. You can be a mindless drub or not. You can take a totally different meaning than the author if you choose to. The author, whether or not she is lliberal or not brings up great issues in her books. We don’t have to agree with everyone. That is the point of conservatism. She doesn’t strike me as a elitist liberal either in her writing. But if she were, that would make her book all the better, because she presents many facets of the liberal/consevative school of thought and lets you weigh the pros/cons and decide for yourself. Yes you can apply Panem as the US government. We have all been decieved by our complicity in our government. Why do we uphold tyrants in some areas and dictators in others? It isn’t “us” but our government. The people of Panem were just as decieved as we are. Applicablility makes it gr

      Report Post »  
    • VastRightWingConspirator
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:06pm

      As a not young adult who has read these books I agree with justateen. The entire story is very interesting and carries components of both liberal and conservative views but they aren’t the focal point and the author may not have even noticed she planted these views in the books since these views are steeped into all of society. There is a definate tryannical tone to the Capitol, but there it is just necessary to keep this style of story interesting. I don’t know if the author had an anti-conservative goal in writing these books but if she did she failed. This is just a good albeit dark story with interesting characters and a great plot. It is sometimes vague and slightly disconnected perhaps but overall one of the best fiction stories I’ve read in a long time. I will be interested in seeing how Hollywierd butchers the story though, since they always do.

      Report Post » VastRightWingConspirator  
  • cobbler
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:36pm

    I read the Hunger Games series and I’d say that one could definitely find support for both the left and the right. However, in my mind the themes that rose to the top include self reliance, sacrifice and charity, family, government as the problem – not the solution, freedom to pursue happiness, hard work, and personal responsibility.

    Intrigued by these books, I also read Collin’s Gregor Cronicles, which the religious conservatives will definitely find issues with. I think Collins probably isn’t trying to channel an political ideal. I don’t get the feeling she is researched in that area. I would say that she is writing to create entertainment and thereby make money.

    Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:19pm

      anything that fosters distrust of government is good reading. glad to see the younger generation still has the instincts of the former generations. lets hope they spit out the nonsense their public schools have instilled in them

      Report Post » soybomb315  
  • OperationNorthwoods
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:33pm

    I think we are turning into a mix of 1984 and Brave New World. We have the surveilence of 1984 combined with the Prozac, drugged out culture of Brave New World. Beck was talking about Huxley today. Many don‘t know that Huxley’s family was involved in the whole eugenics movement so he was privy to the elites plans for society.

    Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
  • Kaoscontrol
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:32pm

    I haven’t read the books, but based on the trailer I can’t se why anyone would want to see the movie. It looks like a low budget, independent effort with over the top acting. Running Man meets Red Dawn with a dash of Alice in Wonderland or something. If I ever watch it, I think I’ll wait until it hits the bargain rental shelf on DVD.

    Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
    • From Virginia
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 9:46pm

      I thought Running Man as soon as I saw the trailer. I guess pink lady replaces Richard Dawson as the shows host…..?

      Report Post »  
    • goahead.makemyday
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:59am

      Please read the books and not just watch the trailer. You miss out on quite a bit if you don’t.

      Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
  • stacybernardslay
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:50pm

    Important footnote. Collins stole the idea for her books straight from a Japanese book called “Battle Royale”. I am sure she put global warming crap in there too, had to change enough of the story at least a little.

    Report Post »  
    • BrayDeck
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:20pm

      Even more important footnote: the idea of people fighting to the death for the entertainment of the masses has been around for…ever. Have you ever heard of gladiators? That’s like saying any book that features a good and evil force rips off the Bible. It’s completely silly.

      Also, have you read the book? It’s the characters that make the story. And I got no evil global warming message from it. It’s a story of the oppressed rising up to tear down the massive centralized collectivist government. Get your facts straight.

      Report Post » BrayDeck  
    • Force2bewreckin
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:20pm

      You should read the book before you comment on it. I have heard the battle royal claim but I havent read battle royal so I wont comment on it. I will say that I love the fact that the most popular movie in america is about aoppressed society standing up to a tyrannical government with their thought and actions. This isnt about global warming or anything like that. It is worth a read, a short read, and it makes you draw parallels between our own government. I dont see how the left or right can claim this as their own because the left and right are the ones oppressing the USA. Obama is just one upping GWB. George and Obama are both Tyrants who had a hand in destroying our constituion. Wake up before you are in a hunger game.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 9:03pm

      Eh… I’ve read Battle Royale (and seen the movie; key advice, do NOT watch it on a full stomach). It’s better written than the Hunger Games (which I also read), but focuses much more on the characters and their fight to survive than the world itself. Note: this might change in the sequels; I seem to recall there were several movies, but I only ever heard of or read the original book.

      But as others have said, the dystopian future government forcing its citizens into inhuman games for entertainment and demoralization is nothing new. Heck, Battle Royale came out in 1999; but Stephen King’s “The Long Walk” was written in 1979 and focused on very similar topics (though his was more of a psychological profile than horror and survival).

      My advice? Ignore both Hunger Games and Battle Royale and read The Long Walk. Shorter, more psychological, and better written than the other options.

      Report Post »  
    • VastRightWingConspirator
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:11pm

      You’re commenting on something with absolutely no information to support or deny your claims. Are you a member of congress?

      Report Post » VastRightWingConspirator  
  • SeanW
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:42pm

    People usually take what they want from books. Its one reason why the establishment hates people that can read, why the teacher’s unions refuse to teach your children critical thinking skills, why the Catholic church kept a stranglehold over scripture for over 1000 years. It’s why people like Vonnegut can write a short story like “Harrison Bergeron” and still be called a spokesperson for the left. :)

    Report Post »  
  • ShellMMG
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:34pm

    I have read the Hunger Games series and thought long and hard about which side the narrative seems to take. I am a conservative who leans libertarian, and these books had several factors I found very respectable. 1) Collins pulled no punches when it came to the cruelty of life and unfairness. 2) The character of Katniss has flaws and faults, some of which can’t be completely represented on screen. 3) The story shows the ultimate outcome of reality TV and the mindset that both wants and feeds upon it in addition to those responsible for forcing it along.

    I will be seeing it this weekend. It’s given my conservative young adult offspring and I a lot of meaningful conversations

    Report Post »  
    • mommaLION
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:27pm

      Well said. The books were inspiring to me. There are actually a lot of great teaching moments/discussions from this series!

      Report Post »  
  • Joisey
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:31pm

    “Come on kids, we’re going to the movies. We’re going to go see what life will be like for you when the commies destroy America.”

    Report Post » Joisey  
    • imsteph
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:44pm

      sad-but probably true…

      Report Post » imsteph  
    • MSMOM
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:59am

      I agree…Loved the books, but I feel this could be very much a reality in our Nations History…Our government is on a power trip, our elected representatives have no back bone, and we have an entire culture of people who believe the bigger the shock factor the better…A previous comment about the 1% vs the 99% is very accurate, with the 1% being the elitest government forcing the 99% to finance and supply their lavish lifestyles…

      Report Post »  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:23pm

    The answer is simple, it connects to BOTH the Left and the Establishment Neocon Republican right because they are BOTH working for the same globalist tyranny.

    Report Post » babylonvi  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:43pm

      babylonvi
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:23pm

      “The answer is simple, it connects to BOTH the Left and the Establishment Neocon Republican right because they are BOTH working for the same globalist tyranny.”

      _______________________________________________________________________________

      Let me guess, you’re a Pault@rd right? That whole anarchy thing you guys offer sounds great too. Aren’t you supposed to be breaking windows and over-turning police cruisers at an OWS riot right now?

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
    • Copo
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 8:00pm

      You do realize a neocon is someone who is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Whos the neocon now liby.

      Report Post » Copo  
    • california_red
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:41am

      copo you are wrong about the definition of a neo con. The last prominent bunch of neoconservatives were neither socially liberal nor fiscally conservative. What you describe sounds like slogan used to describe libertarians sometimes.

      Report Post »  
  • ginger100
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Yeah, hollywood can kiss my butt. Paying to watch any propaganda that comes from a group of snobs bent on the destruction of a country my ancestors bled for doesn’t appeal to me. It would be the same as giving money to that fat hypocrite micheal moore so he stuff his fat face with cookies, pizzas and steaks and then telling me how bad he’s got it and that I got to share MY wealth. I’ll wait for the book to be left laying around and pick it up for free.

    Report Post » ginger100  
  • Charybdis
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:03pm

    One thing’s for sure. The author of the book will reap great rewards for being able to tap into both the liberal and conservative interest. Anytime you can get both sides to lay claim to your message, you’re the big winner. Too many movies of this type today only stupidly appeal to one side or the other, thus limiting their income potential.

    Another certinty is that the timing of this movie doesn’t bode well for Obama. Americans are beginning to wake up to the corruption and tyranny of this administration, and many independent voters will see the connection between the government in this movie and the methodical way in which Barry & Co. are trampling on the Constitution.

    Report Post »  
    • 1conservativeman
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:25am

      “Another certinty is that the timing of this movie doesn’t bode well for Obama. Americans are beginning to wake up to the corruption and tyranny of this administration, and many independent voters will see the connection between the government in this movie and the methodical way in which Barry & Co. are trampling on the Constitution.”

      Hey Char, that is some of the most meaty insight I have seen on this website. Read all three books and still forming my opinion on the author’s leanings. Waiting for the daughter to complete the final book before processing this work with my teenagers. (Great conversation starter BTW). In politics, timing is a large part of winning and you could not be more right. This is not good for obummer. I will take this to my local caucus and it will resonate. We need all the help we can get due to most folks trying to keep their head above water and make ends meet.
      District One is the ruling political class R&D), the outlying districts are flyover country, District 2 is New York and California (Seattle, Chicago, etc.) District 12 is South Dakota, Colorado, Texas, (Natural resources), Snow is Obummer, Katniss, Peta and Gale tend toward the conservatives, (Gale is more of a Fiscal conservative, Peta social, Katniss, well…pragmatic) the mockingjay pin is the Gadsden, Effe is MSM…(please, you know this is right…), Panem is…uh….DC? Uprising in outlying districts…TEA Party anyone?….Coin…come on, follow me here…RNC establishment.

      Report Post » 1conservativeman  
    • morpherson
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:30am

      What pains me is everyone who will jump to that conclusion that this is elitist liberal stuff. I can’t beleive that these people would back themselves into a corner and blind themselves so. People may bleed and die for freedom, but those too stupid to learn history will unfortunately fall into the same traps that have doomed countless civilizations…complicity with the ruling parties (panem et circenses). That is the point of this book. Beck rants that we need to educate ourselves, yet it pains me that so many of my pears on this website will obstanantly remain ignorant and not excercize a bit of God given reason. I enjoyed your comments about applying this to the political elements today.

      Report Post »  
  • Rick494
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:02pm

    I am sure I will be disappointed in the movie. I’ve read the entire series (after my son introduced it to me). It’s a good story of one person struggling to survive under an oppressive government and trying to keep herself from losing her principles in the process.

    Report Post »  
  • OMBrandon
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Once the “Occupy” movement gets their way, they will understand. Their stated goal, according to Mr. Jones, is to create the “bottom up” crisis that will bring the top down. I have news for the liberals trying to make a case for this movie- it‘s the TOP DOWN that is the Hunger Games’s “Panem”. An athiestic totalitarian state ruled by elites is what we are headed for.

    I think the arguments for “conservative” or “liberal” go wrong at the same place when discussing this story or discussing our present society. As the 9/12ers, we are part of a freedom loving people who are on Beck’s “American Tracks”- not this European model of huge government who dictates what, how and when about everything in our lives. This is why the books are so popular. People see big government on the horizon and anyone willing to stand against it, be it fictional or real, dead or alive in the end, will be the hero of our story.

    Report Post » OMBrandon  
  • Bluntobj
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:58pm

    It’s not a liberal v conservative thing. The 1% vs. the 99% meme is not a pure liberal creation. <50% of the 1% are liberals, yet this meme is out there. The idea is to wed people to their "teams", believing that they are right and the other side is evil.

    All the while the elite walk away with the cash, control the government through that cash, and exercise subtle power by using the government to secure themselves competitive advantage.

    OWS is being played, and their meme's are being used as stalking horses to justify security and controls on the real threat to the elite: citizens whose belief in the system is fading.

    The more effective method of resistance is to opt-out. No violence or struggle. Quit your high pressure high pay job, stop buying toys and debt-based things, live with as much reliance on yourself as you can, and lastly (hypothetically, thanks to the NSA) disregard as many "laws" and regulations over your commerce as you feel morally able.

    And the aforementioned statement is a thought experiment. :P

    Without the tax, fee, excise, or license revenue, what would happen to government? Incur debt, debase currency, and collapse under its own bloated weight, taking down its overreaching elites. This is a very unpleasant event, which is why most minds will shy away. However, this creative destruction must and will inevitably occur.

    Report Post »  
  • RoyHowell
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:51pm

    When I see a movie trailer like this the first words out of my mouth is, “I don’t think so.” This would not be entertainment for me. See the short movie called The Lottery, 1969 version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIm93Xuij7k

    Report Post » RoyHowell  
    • King4wd
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:44am

      That movie was based on the Shirley Jackson short story written over 60 years ago (1948). As far as televised contests to the death is a future post-war/disaster America go. I think I saw that one when it was called the Running Man.

      Report Post »  
  • tharpdevenport
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:47pm

    I saw a film not too long ago about what happens when the government takes over and rules you. Even though made in the ‘80’s, nearly everything in it could happen today and are sort of predictable to happen if we loose the country.

    “The Last Chase” (1981)

    Report Post » tharpdevenport  
  • drr
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:41pm

    It has nothing to do with the Occupy movement – the people in the book are oppressed by the government and they still work by the way. They are not filthy slobs, leeching off other people, or demanding more money, promoting abortion, separating religion from governemnt, or any of the other crazy occupy list of goals. Plus the occupy movement is much more current compared to when the book was written.

    And as some one as has pointed out, it is just a book – and a good one too – although the movie might contain some propaganda themes.

    Report Post »  
    • CW3147
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:29pm

      One Common theme that most people don’t notice is the striking resemblance to Ancient Rome. In the Epilogue, she mentions her in depth study of Rome.
      The Hunger games are a Circus to the citizens of the capital and lead them to a careless desensitized attitude. The drawings are also a way to scare the general public.
      Another key evidence of roman influences in the throwing up of food to enjoy more. This happens to the rich of the capital and went on with the rich of Rome.
      The Separation between rich and poor is not OWS, Many forget that communism did not eliminate all of the wealthy and that classes still existed. The Rich are Rich because of BIG GOVERNMENT
      The so called climate change was virtually absent except for maybe a description of the wars and reasons that Panem Started.
      Even the laborers in district 11 are starved even though they produce Grain.

      In my opinion, This was an overall Anti Communist book that showed what happened to Rome Could happen to us. But of Course, Hollywood will find a way to make this great book in the opposite of what it is.

      Report Post » CW3147  
  • branch manager
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:40pm

    I see the story as simple as this: people are born with freedom in their hearts and if you deny them that God given gift they will eventually take it back.

    Report Post »  
  • JShaw
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:22pm

    I think we should stop ruining great stories by trying to assess what political leaning is being implied. This not a conservative or Liberal book. It’s just a book. It’s just a really good story about a group of people fighting back against oppression; a story we should all be able to embrace regardless of your political ideology. This has nothing to do with the occupy movement, nothing to do with climate change. Can we just leave this book alone and stop playing political tug o’ war with it?

    Report Post » JShaw  
    • copatriots
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:12pm

      Don’t ya think we should at least consider what the author actually intended? Most authors usually have a message if not an agenda.

      My money is on propaganda and liberalism.

      Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:20pm

    have not bought the book,nor will i spend my money on the movie,it is hollywood,and i could care less about supporting any socialist and or communist loving morons, they can keep it to themselves and if they all were to go broke tomorrow that is okay with me also,

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:09pm

    Definition of PANEM (part of the expression Panem en cirucusses)

    Bread and Circuses.

    Keep the masses fed and distracted with wild entertainment (aka Gladiator games of old rome) and the Emperor (aka Obama) can do whatever they want.

    This movie is clear propaganda aimed at the youth; keep them enraptured with hysteria, lies and falsehoods while showing the value of blood sports to entertain them. And the government of big brother and sister lingers in the background against the ‘evils of capitalism and freedom.’

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Restored One
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:31pm

      I had never heard of this book until yesterday when my 11 year old told me that she wanted to see the movie. I watched one trailer and it was clear to me that this is indoctrination. The scene I saw, I thought, that looks lie a re-education FEMA camp.

      Report Post »  
    • bpodlesnik
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 6:13pm

      Have you read the books? At least the first one? I found it quite exciting and wanting to read more. It also did not change at all my views on capitalism or freedom.

      Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • BrayDeck
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Don’t jump to conclusions. Every communist society ends up with a so-called 1% oppressing the 99%. The gladiator fights are shown to be evil in the book and the goal of the heroine is to take down the tyrannical government (Party) living in the capital. I see that it has direct correlations to any authoritarian government.

      We can’t assume that everything that comes out of Hollywood is indoctrination. We start sounding like paranoid loons and drive any potential converts away. Don’t fight the beast, strengthen your walls.

      Report Post » BrayDeck  
    • 1conservativeman
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:36am

      Good job Snow!

      Report Post » 1conservativeman  
  • PPMStudios
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:09pm

    Well, it’s Hollywood. Who cares?

    Report Post » PPMStudios  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:02pm

    panem is obviously the world the obamas and their collaborators think they live in

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 5:12pm

      No, this is the remaking of the old Roman games and world that Obama wants to turn us into.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 1:31pm

      In spite of what the author set out to do, it is the logical outcome of ANY authoritarian regeme. Republican or democrat, liberal or conservative, Bush or Obama, it doesn’t matter.

      To ascribe such a situation only to the Democrats is nieve and dangerous. The Republicans are easily as capable of such repression.

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 4

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love