Glenn Beck on Congress and Corruption

On September 17, 2009, the Senate voted against (52-43) the S.Amdt 2410 to H.R. 3288 which is to limit the use of funds for the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Now this airport has some amazing features to it. As Glenn Beck said on his September 17th show, "It's beautiful — according to published reports it's got a $7 million air traffic control tower, a $14 million hangar and an $18 million state-of-the-art runway." (par. 7)

Now, one would expect there to be heavy traffic for this AMAZING airport, but sadly there are, according to Beck, some problems with this high-tech airport. First, there are only three flights a day to Washington, D.C. Second, only a total of 6,700 passengers are served a year. And lastly, "the airport has received over $150 million in taxpayer funding and then another $800,000 in stimulus money to repave an 'alternate runway.'" (par. 9)

As you know, the US, and other parts are the world, are currently going through an economical crisis. Now Glenn Beck might be a bit strong in his choice of words, but his thoughts still provoke others to become upset with what the Senate has decided on regarding this proposed amendment. "We aren't the richest nation in the world. We just spent the most money.

"But there is no more money. If you understand that, wouldn't it be a no-brainer to not spend $20 million a year on an airport only one dirt-bag [John Murtha] uses to go to Washington, D.C., for his dirt-bag deals?" (par. 12)

In his address, Beck presents his idea of "fifty-six 're-founders' to stand up to the corruption and the special interests in [their] own party. Stand up to what Washington, D.C. has become." (par. 5)

Glenn Beck addresses this issue of political corruption at the "right" time. His message was delivered after Senate decided on it's vote. By showing multiple,recent examples of how corruption is taking place in Washington, he is able to make a very convincing argument, especially through his use of kairos by delivering his message at the "right" time.

The second part of Kairos includes addressing an issue to the "right" people. Glenn Beck calls to the citizens of the United States of America. He urges them to take the necessary steps to remove those who cause corruption and replace them with "56 brave, good, decent human beings." (par. 5) He speaks to those who are in the sound of his voice, those who are probably interested in current issues and his thoughts. This is a prime group that will mostly like heed his words. Again, by using kairos, Beck is able to have an even stronger argument by exercising more than one aspect of kairos.

Lastly, kairos includes making an argument in the "right circumstance." According to the life cycle of a rhetorical situation, the debate for the proposed amendment is in the disintegration phase because "the process of change becomes practically irreversible. Decisions have been made and put into action. Many groups have moved on to other issues." (W & R, p. 47, par. 4) However, the issue Glenn Beck brings up (that there is corruption in our government) is at the deterioration stage. "The prime moment for influencing the opinion of decision makers has passed, and a solution may be in the early stages of implementation. Positions on the issues are well established." (W & R, p. 47, par. 3) One can argue that most people already have made an opinion on corruption. Additionally, Beck presents this issue after President Obama took office. He then takes advantage of this issue being in the deterioration stage since many of his listeners, who are mostly conservative, did not support Obama's candidacy. This then opens an opportunity for listeners to take charge and try to create this change in democracy that Beck and others want to see. Once more Beck tactfully uses kairos to make an effective argument, that might just one day help to amend the American government that the citizens are affected by.