Last night Jon Stewart ripped into conservatives who are attempting to escape Obama’s “socialist America” by establishing their own, separate communities with "more freedom." Stewart's main contention was that these communities seem to resemble something more like a “Marxist utopia” than the libertarian ideals than espouse. Stewart’s full segment, via Comedy Central, can be seen here. A summary, along with quotes, can be seen below.
The main target of Stewart’s criticism was Glenn Beck’s proposed “Independence, USA.” Beck unveiled the project earlier this month on his internet television program.
As Stewart pointed out, the entire town is planned out ahead of time rather than naturally evolving through free market principles. Beck has already banned two companies from his town, seemingly as a socialist ruler dictating what businesses can and cannot operate. In addition, Beck has already dictated where food will come from in the town and what types of food will be grown. Beck has even regulated the way houses will be built so people do not spend too much time in their backyards. In many ways, Beck’s town mimics the “central planning” of a socialist nation.
Stewart then took the entire idea apart with the following diatribe (transcript via Mediate):
“They don’t really believe in freedom. ‘Freedom to.’ They believe in ‘freedom from.’ Freedom from liberals, from people they disagree with. From the sensibly priced clothing of Ann Taylor. These folks that cloak themselves in patriotism pretending they alone can reveal the true intent of our Constitution are not our Founding Fathers incarnate. They’re just another shitty neighborhood association whose nostalgia utopia will fall apart the minute somebody decides to paint their house mauve.”
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