In the past few days on both his radio show and television program, Glenn Beck showed that beneath his love of country and hatred of all things progressive, there lurks a bit of a sci-fi geek. Beck twice compared George Soros, a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist who is frequently targeted by Beck on account of his support for various progressive organizations, to Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars films. The analogy rests no doubt on a perceived physical resemblance between the octogenarian Soros and the severely aged Emperor. Moreover, Beck clearly believes that Soros' financial support of progressive causes and the Democratic Party is evidence that he is one of the principal architects of the grand conspiracy of godless Marxists against the American way of life, which Beck insists really does exist. The comparison becomes clearer since it is Palpatine who harbors a secret goal of overthrowing the Galactic Republic and subjecting the galaxy to his rule and who uses his involvement in politics to realize that goal. Beck further compared President Obama to Darth Maul, Palpatine's enforcer, and he proposed that there are similarities between the Rebel Alliance and the Tea Party. I must admit that I am always impressed whenever anyone in the media or politics makes a reference to science fiction. However, as a fan of both Star Wars and single-payer healthcare, I cannot shake the feeling that Glenn Beck citing these films is like when Satan used scripture to tempt Christ. With that in mind I present some aspects of the series which Beck did not take into account when making this analogy.
Those who are familiar with the Star Wars prequel trilogy will recall that the backdrop against which the events unfold is that of the Separatist Crisis and the Clone Wars. Palpatine in his role as Supreme Chancellor leads the Republic against the evil Separatists, but to do so he assumes more and more emergency powers until at the war's end he is in a position to declare himself Emperor. This is what resonates with Glenn Beck and this is what he fears will happen to America if we allow Barack Obama to have his way with healthcare and financial reform. It stands to reason that in his analysis of Star Wars, Beck might compare himself to Senator Amidala, someone who firmly believes in the ideals of the Republic and yet is fearful of the path down which its leader seems to be taking it. One could then extend the comparison to the Tea Party and cast them as the rebels who follow her cause once the Empire takes over. However, when I look at the situation, I think Glenn and friends would feel more at home somewhere else in the galaxy.
In addition to leading the Republic, Palpatine, using his alter ego Darth Sidious, secretly leads the Separatists. This ensures that regardless of which side should prevail in a military conflict, he would ultimately rule the galaxy. However, it is very hard to attract supporters to the cause of Separatism with a slogan like 'We are Disposable Pawns of a Dark Overlord.' Therefore, a cause is required around which Palpatine can rally the thousands of systems he needs to challenge the Republic. As we learn during the course of the films, that cause is objection to taxation and a dislike for government regulation of business. In fact, the Separatist movement's chief supporters are major corporations with names like the Trade Federation, the Corporate Alliance, and the Banking Clan. That's right folks; the chief antagonists of the Star Wars prequels are laissez-faire capitalists. One only has to look at the statements Glenn Beck and those like him constantly make to ask, if the people on Alderaan were able to watch Fox News on the HoloNet, which faction would they be encouraged to support each night?
A true Tea Partier would insist that their movement represents the genuine dissatisfaction of the American people and a desire to limit the role of government in their lives. And of course there is nothing particularly sinister about your average Tea Partier. The crowd at the 8-28 rally wasn't made up of battle droids, and Christine O'Donnell (probably) can't shoot lightning out of her hands. However, I would feel a lot better about these people if, like the Separatists, all the evidence didn't suggest that behind the movement are the super-rich and huge corporations. While it is true that there is much to be angry about in the times in which we live, who could support candidates who advocate loosening restrictions on the major banks which gambled with the economy for years and lost, or who would extend tax cuts on the wealthy despite all the evidence which shows they have been one of the chief causes of our current deficit, or who continue to insist that we don't need a progressive tax system because when the rich get to keep all their money the economy as a whole benefits, despite there being no practical example of this happening in the last thirty years. When I look at all of these things, it doesn't seem inappropriate to argue that someone like Rand Paul would feel more comfortable on the board of the Trade Federation than on the Jedi Council.
While I may not understand what draws so many people to these Tea Party candidates, and no matter how tempting it is too see the work of the Dark Side behind this movement, the truth is there is no Emperor Palpatine in the United States. It is neither George Soros nor Rupert Murdoch. But much like Palpatine, there are plenty of people in our nation who are opportunists first, anything else second. What is dangerous to our republic is a culture in which we seek personal gain and profit at the expense of the common good. So many are guilty of this, from a defense industry executive who decides that a plane needs to be manufactured in as many districts as possible to ensure that enough politicians from both parties will continues to sign his paycheck, to the senatorial candidate who advocates fiscal responsibility and yet doesn't mind spending millions of his own dollars just to get elected, to demagogues like Beck and Sarah Palin who smile and feign sympathy with the plight of average Americans while making thousands in speaking fees.
Maybe I'm wrong and Beck is right and I'll be very surprised when the stormtroopers come for me. But I doubt that will happen. In the meantime I wish I myself had a clearer solution for the issues facing our nation. Our problems seem less like the rock we try to move using the Force and more like the starship. But as Yoda said to Luke, "Size matters not." We've done some impressive things in this country and we ought to be able to overcome whatever challenges us. However, as easy or tempting as anger and greed are, they are certainly not the solution.
