What do you think about Glenn Beck?

I don't like him. But a lot of other people do.

I think Glenn Beck is an alarmist, a kind of parasite that feeds off the fears of everyday Americans. I entire life philosophy is centered on the idea that if you have a positive outlook, things will turn out okay.

If you're constantly living in fear, of the economy, of predatory politicians, of gang violence and child abductors, it's hard to just sit back and appreciate life. People like Glenn Beck don't want you to appreciate what you have, because if you do, you're not paranoid, and then you're not tuning in at 5:00 so they can pile more horror stories on your plate.

Honestly, watching the man on the television, seeing him tear up, listening to him dance around issues in ways that hint at thinly concealed disaster, makes me think that he's just silly. Stephen King, a man with whom I have nothing in common politically, referred to him once as Satan's mentally challenged younger brother. And I can't help but think that just about sums the guy up.

Glenn Beck creeps into your head and plays puppeteer with your nightmares, but he does it in a very hokey, Little Shop of Horrors kind of way.

TIME wrote a piece on Beck, but as far as I'm concerned, it's almost as bad as Beck himself. It carries a tone of self pity and shame, beginning with an offhand remark about how we the readers don't trust the mainstream media and continuing on with the same sort of alarmist garbage that Beck spews on a daily basis, making him sound like a Pravda minister or robber baron. In fact, the only really good part of the article was the Stephen King quote which I've already mentioned.

So, please, weigh in whether you're a Beck fan or one of his detractors. I want to know what you think. My recommendation? If you're thinking about buying Glenn Beck's Common Sense. Don't. Pick up Lisey's Story instead. It's deeper, more compelling and teaches better life lessons.