Glenn Beck's 12-Stepping Americans

Glenn Beck, an American conservative radio and TV host and political commentator, held a rally on Saturday, August 28, in Washington DC that drew hundreds of thousands of people from around the nation. It is being called the largest gathering in recent political history, not including President Obama’s Inauguration. Days before, there were warnings by the liberal media and Reverend Al Sharpton that this rally would be filled with angry people, especially Tea Partiers, and that it is being organized by a radical right racist who would be insulting the name of Martin Luther King, whose famous “I have a Dream” speech was also being celebrated on the same day not too far from where this rally would be.

What an amazing surprise this rally turned into! Glenn Beck brought all of these people together in peace and harmony while still capturing the passionate and patriotic emotions that are spreading across the country. First, he emphasized the purpose of the rally, which was to raise money for and to honor our military. Then Beck used this rally to bring Americans together to talk about returning back to the country’s core Christian-Judeo values of Honor, Faith, Hope and Charity. Glenn Beck, along with other public figures, sees Americans’ fears and challenges growing as the present administration’s policies are not bringing back the economy; where corruption and greed are creating complete political distrust; and global events seem chaotic and out of control. What are Americans to do? This rally offers the beginning of the answer.

By Beck’s own public admission, which broke the rule of anonymity, he acknowledges that as an alcoholic he found his salvation in the 12-Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous and its support groups. Anyone who has attended an AA meeting will tell you that the foundation for recovery is accepting the truth of one’s addiction problem and that faith or the belief in a higher power (that is greater than oneself) will bring sobriety, one day at a time. In addition, attending AA meetings brings camaraderie and support to a person’s life that is hard to find anywhere else. 

Since 1935 when AA was founded, the 12-steps of this treatment program have proven to be the most successful process in fighting addiction. At its core is the process by which a person can find his honor and self-worth and become free from the horrors and fears that addiction brings. This is the essence from which Glenn Beck gets the strength to maintain his years of sobriety and to have the courage to speak out for what he believes in spite of the recent death threats to him and his family.

His message, spoken on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, was very clear to the throngs of people who stood for hours around the reflecting pond and the Great Mall. “Americans, have faith…act morally…give of yourself…and have hope.” And in the vast audience the people felt the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship thru the speakers’ messages and in the new friendships beginning there. This rally began Glenn Beck’s 12-step program for Americans.

The huge success of the turnout has to be attributed to the growing distrust of big government that is growing. American voters are looking for leaders who have demonstrated honor and integrity. Glenn Beck’s message is obviously a message many Americans want to hear brought to the mid-term elections with candidates that truly reflect these values.