Editor's note: Glenn Beck, when responding to Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, mentioned the below entry in Townhall Magazine's January 2011 as part of a larger point on how liberals operate. Enjoy the post below, and consider ordering this back issue of Townhall Magazine to get the full story.
From our January cover story "The 50 Most Dangerous Liberals in America":
#4 CASS SUNSTEIN
White House Regulation Czar
Cass Sunstein is Obama's regulation czar, affectionately known to conservatives as the "nudge" czar. As the head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs ("the cockpit for the modern administrative state"), Sunstein oversees federal regulations at other agencies. According to the Washington Post's WhoRunsGov.com, his position has become more powerful under President Obama.
His theory, "libertarian paternalism," is light on libertarianism and heavy on paternalism and essentially means incentivizing the masses to do what he deems is best for them. What does this entail? A default to organ donation, First Amendment "reform" (read: Fairness Doctrine), celebrating taxes and giving animals rights.
In 2008, Sunstein wrote an article proposing that covert government agents infiltrate activist organizations that "conspire" to undermine its good deeds. These agents would be charged with infiltrating "chat rooms, online social networks, or even real-space groups," trying to look independent and credible while augmenting the pro-government message. The purpose of this exercise would be to undermine the activists and restore faith in the government. What do you think he wants to do to the tea party?
This is the man who oversees financial, health care, housing, environmental and privacy policies, to name a few.
Nudge.
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