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50 Things Liberals Love to Hate

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America, how does the liberal hate thee? Let us count the ways . . . It’s hard work being a liberal these days. Not only do a mere 20 percent of Americans identify themselves as liberal, but one could go broke supporting a skinny double-decaf Starbucks habit. On top of that, when you hate things most Americans love, it’s tiring to have to endlessly correct/educate/fix/enlighten the poor dullards out there who just want to enjoy their lives. Which, taken as a whole, makes the average liberal lonely, short on cash, and mad as hell! So, in the spirit of the compassion they themselves espouse, 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate is truth spoken with love, an invitation to the it’s not too late, liberals, to join the fun! C’mon, crack open a Bud and throw another T-bone on the grill. But kindly check your disdain at the door when it comes WALMART: How about a handmade, locally sourced flat-screen television instead? STEAKHOUSES: There’s no steamed tofu on this menu. McDONALD’S: The stranger in the playground handing out candy to children. FLAG PINS: It’s okay to love America, but not enough to wear it on your lapel. FOOTBALL: War with cleats and pads. THE V-8 ENGINE: There’s just something plain wrong about all that power and freedom under the control of one person. SUCCESS: When you make more money than the rest of us, it hurts our feelings. THE FOUNDING FATHERS: A bunch of old white guys who are making it nearly impossible for modern government to pick our doctors, teach our children, correct our diets, and save our money. . . . and 42 other things that have liberals packing some serious hate. Mike Gallagher—America’s sixth-ranked radio talk show host and Fox News contributor—skewers liberal lunacy with cutting irony and scathing wit. Here are 50 warning signs of a liberal mind implosion, all darn good reasons to lock the doors, crank up the A/C, turn on the game, and let the countdown begin. . . .

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2012

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Lana Glover.
73 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2015
Hysterical read. Definitely tongue-in-cheek, but sadly, mostly true. Mike's writing style is humorous and will keep you from crying when you realize there really are people like this! I know, because I used to be a liberal. Lol.
Profile Image for Donald.
Author 4 books14 followers
September 21, 2012
When I hear the word Liberal, I immediately think Democrat. But that's not entirely correct. The same goes for Conservative and Republican. These are really terms which belong on a grand sliding scale. If you start with Conservative, you can move on to Repulican, say. Then on to Progressive-Republican, Democrat, Progressive-Democrat, Liberal, Socialist, and on to Marxist. I'm sure someone could shoehorn another term in there somewhere, but at least you get the idea.

Liberals are really a fun bunch to listen to. They would like everyone to have a "living wage", even if you don't leave the house. Everybody should have affordable health care and Doctors make way too much for their extensive knowledge and daily life-or-death decision making skills. Doctors and Walmart shelf stockers should probably earn the same amount because they are both just people working a job. A Liberal thinks that someone who makes, say, $20 million in one year yet 'only' pays 14% in taxes has somehow stiffed the government. The Liberal won't do the math to figure out that 14% is nearly $3 million dollars—probably more taxes than they have paid during their entire lifetime.

"50 Things" takes a tongue in cheek look at the world view of a Liberal using topics as diverse as #49-Flag Pins, #30-The Second Amendment, #20-Immigrants, and #4-The Constitution. Whatever your political leaning or aspiration, there is something to like and laugh about in these pages. Sometimes (though rarely) it makes sense. Mostly it's just fun to laugh at the absurdity of the Liberal thought process.
Profile Image for Denise Spicer.
Author 18 books70 followers
April 26, 2017
No index, footnotes or references but this amusing critique of the “liberal” ideology is a quick, fun read with lots of chuckles.
Profile Image for Aaron.
37 reviews
April 23, 2013
I'm a Mike fan, but this book was too much of a sad rant. What is his thing with vegans? Mike, I am a conservative vegan. Best thing I ever did for my health. To paperbackswap this book goes. Hopefully another swapper will enjoy it more than I did.
222 reviews6 followers
September 2, 2015
Okay, liberals, tell me the things you hate. Off the top of your heads you probably mentioned the biggies like racism, sexism, homophobia and all sorts of bigotry. You hate environmental degradation, corporate greed, and the growing chasm between the haves and the have nots. You’re also probably not fond of the Bush administration, Fox News, the religious right, and the Tea Party.

However, according to Mike Gallagher, liberals hate things like apple pie, John Wayne, small businesses, and the American workforce. And he gleefully ruminates upon these topics and other things that inspire a liberal’s hatred in 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate About America.

You’re probably wondering, “Who is Mike Gallagher?” According to the radio industry magazine “Talkers” Mike Gallagher is one of the top talk radio hosts in America. He proudly calls himself “a happy conservative warrior.” He is also a contributor to Fox News and has been published in the New York Post, National Review, and Townhall.com.

So what do liberals hate about America?

One thing liberals hate is the retail juggernaut Wal-Mart. Why? Because according to Mike “Wal-Mart works and liberalism doesn’t.” Why Mike is comparing a chain of big box stores to a political and social point of view is beyond me. There are quite a few reasons to not like Wal-Mart—its regressive employment practices and plundering of local businesses. But to this liberal, one reason to hate Wal-Mart is because the service is often surly and every single Wal-Mart I have patronized has been completely trashed!

Weirdly enough, liberals don’t just hate Wal-mart; they also hate small businesses and workers. Really? There are quite a few small businesses in my mostly liberal neighborhood, and they’re much appreciated. And I don’t think it was conservatives who were out supporting Wisconsin’s public workers fighting for their collective bargaining rights. But to Mike liberals hating small businesses and workers is more about him hating government regulation and unions, which he believes are things that completely destroy small businesses and harm workers.

What else do liberals hate? Well, we hate conservative women. Funnily, Mike doesn’t mention conservative women like Condoleezza Rice, Elizabeth Dole, columnist Kathleen Parker or the late Jean Kirkpatrick. A lot liberals of might not agree with these ladies, but Mike doesn’t mention them. Nope, instead he mentions conservative women like Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Malkin, truly vindictive, hateful women who seem to be more about contributing to their wallets and being famous, than America. Heck, I know conservatives who don’t like these women.

Liberals also hate Christianity, which is odd to me because there are quite a few liberal Christians and Christian denominations. But to Mike the only Christians that matter are radical right Evangelical Christians and more mainstream Christians don’t seem to exist in his world.

Charity is another thing liberals hate. Mike came to this conclusion by observing a few tax returns of some notable individuals, as if that’s going to tell the whole story on why liberals hate charity. I hardly think a handful of tax returns are a good gauge on how liberals view charity. And most of us know charity goes beyond donating money to a good cause. Charity is also about donating time, skills, and much needed supplies. And charity is not the same as social justice, and we all know how some conservatives feel about social justice. But that’s a topic for another book.

When it comes to entertainment liberals hate George Bailey, John Wayne, and talk radio. Liberals hate George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life? George Bailey is a film character beloved by people—liberal and conservative. And why would liberals hate John Wayne? Liberals hate John Wayne because he wouldn’t compromise himself to play a character he didn’t agree with. Well, call me crazy because but to me great actors take on challenging characters they might not totally like (see Julianne Moore’s brilliant performance as Sarah Palin in Game Change), but I don’t hate John Wayne. However, Mike may be on point with talk radio, especially considering talk radio is rife with truly toxic types like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Dr. Laura, and Sean Hannity.

Amongst the other things liberals hate is success, steakhouses (I guess all liberals are vegetarians), patios and pools, V-8 engines, science, the suburbs, both the West and the South, bright lights, boys and girls, and algae. And yes, liberals hate apple pie. Why? Because apple pie represents America and the number one thing liberals hate about America is America itself!

50 Things Liberals Love to Hate About America is a book that is too ridiculous to get all enraged about. I have an inkling Mike might not completely agree with what he’s written but he has to appeal to a certain base, the mouth breathers who think Fox News is credible journalism, Saddam Hussein attacked us on 9/11, and Michelle Obama’s toned arms are a Socialist plot.

I tried to think of books that list the things conservatives hate about America. And though I’m sure there’s a few, but I couldn’t think of any. However, what would one such book cover? What do conservatives hate? Well, if I’m going to stereotype I’d say conservatives hate President Obama and the rest of the Obama family (including Bo and Sunny). They hate gay people, Democratic women (“Hillary has cankles!”), sensible gun laws, and non-Christians (especially those trifling Muslims). Conservatives hate vegetarianism, PBS, both coasts, “elitists”, libraries, and recycling. Typical conservatives hate film festivals, hip-hop, and art galleries. In fact, a conservative’s idea of art is a black velvet painting of that weeping Cheeto, Speaker of the House John Boehner.

What should we liberals do to counter Mike’s attacks? Well, enjoy a thick, juicy steak. Move to a red state. Watch Nascar. Wear a flag pin. Buy a gun. All of this would totally blow Mike’s mind!

Cleansing the Palate

I don’t think Mike Gallagher is a horrible person. I’m sure we’d get along if we ever met. Heck, I’d even eat at a steakhouse with him even though I’d prefer a plate of barbecue ribs. But he is part of the world of talk radio, a huge part of the divisive, mean-spirited rhetoric that has polarized our country, most coming from the right. Rory O’Connor writes about this phenomenon in his book Shock Jocks: America’s Ten Worst Hate Talkers and the Progressive Alternatives. Rory bravely uncovers the sleazy underbelly of right wing talk radio exposing the hatred, bigotry, and deep dysfunction of some of our most famous shock jocks while also profiling more progressive radio personalities that counter all the hate. Rory also interviews some hosts—liberal, conservative, and moderate. One host he interviews is Mike Gallagher who admits he knows some liberals. In fact, Mike’s late wife was a liberal. See, Mike, we’re not all bad.

Twenty odd years ago, journalist David Brock was a part of the extreme radical right. He wrote for conservative publications like American Spectator, The Weekly Standard and the Moonie-owned Washington Times. He deemed Clarence Thomas’ accuser, Anita Hill as “a little bit nutty, and a little bit slutty,” And later skewered her in the book The Real Anita Hill thus becoming the radical right’s golden boy. However, not was all golden for David. He found himself tamping down his more liberal social views to advance the conservative cause. He disowned proper journalistic ethics to promote his career. And he lived uncomfortably as gay man in a community that often denounced homosexuality. In his very candid memoir, Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative Brock brilliantly captures how the radical right grabbed him and how he left the movement as he came to grip how the current state of conservatism poisoned our political climate. Blinded by the Right is not pretty, but it is an amazing and important read.

One thing that bugged me about Mike’s book is the stupid “group think” liberals supposedly follow. Liberals are a pretty sundry bunch. The book Proud To Be Liberal edited by Elizabeth Clementson and Robert Lasner is a great book featuring essays of many proud liberals including cartoonist Tom Tomorrow, columnist Eric Zorn, journalist and author Eric Alterman, history professor Blanche Wiesen Cook, and comedian, writer, and fellow cheesehead Will Durst. These essays are funny, diverse, and get to the heart of why so many people are proud to call themselves liberal in an age where liberal is a naughty word—and shouldn’t be. The essays are entertaining and enlightening, and make you wish these the Sunday morning political shows would feature these liberals more often and leave Ann Coulter and her slatternly black cocktail dresses in the dust.

Originally published at The Book Self.
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
Profile Image for Steven Shroyer.
146 reviews
January 14, 2013
Let me be upfront here: I am a libertarian. We're sort of the bastard children of both parties. We're too into Free Markets and the people's right to not have the government interfere with our lives, for the Democrats and Republicans. I don't mind liberals, some of my friends are liberals(A shout out to my bizarro soul sister Raye Roeske is in order) but the one thing that ticks me off is a smug liberal. A liberal that thinks they need to convert me. Thankfully Mike Gallagher has put out this book that exposes said liberals.

This book counts down the things that smug liberals hate, from McDonalds, to V8 engines and Apple Pie. It is both funny and revealing and it perfectly describes those types that aggravate me.

This book has bias, but of course you're not buying this book if you're one of those Whole Foods types that drive a Prius. It is very brash in making it's points and it will make you mad at times.

If you enjoy a good political commentary book and like a good laugh this book is for you to enjoy.
Profile Image for David.
128 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2013
A good book! Always good to know the methodology and mindset of the liberal propaganda machine!
Profile Image for Angela.
136 reviews16 followers
January 11, 2013
Very entertaining and informative! I really enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Velvet.
271 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2012


This book was recommended to me by a friend that is an extreme conservative. Over all the book is over the top with how much liberals hate things. While I am a conservative I don't feel all liberals are as extreme as the author describes. I sometimes felt like the liberal he was describing so maybe I lean towards the middle.

Anyways, if you lean far to the right you will love this book. If you lean far to the left probably not so much.

I listened to the audio version and while the author is reading the book, he sounds just like Albert Brooks which actually added to the book. If you can imagine Albert Brooks going on a political rant and that idea sounds entertaining to you then make sure to listen to the book rather than read it!
Profile Image for James Watnem.
1 review3 followers
February 10, 2013
If you read this book with an open mind AND heart....if you believe in your country and LOVE it, then at the conclusion of reading, you will experience two emotional controversies. You will probably love your country more yet feel fearful of her future as it is being run into the ground by the powerful elitist liberal left-wing of America.

Using logic and a whole lot of rare common sense, Gallagher becomes the modern day Thomas Paine. He warns us while he entertains. He scares us while we laugh at the foolishness of the left in general.

A fantastic book, full of wisdom and insight. AN ABSOLUTE MUST-READ FOR THE POLITICAL JUNKIE!!! -- Jim Watnem 2/10/2013
24 reviews27 followers
January 29, 2013
I am infact a libral. But I just thouraghly enjoyed this book! It was witty and humourous. All with out being a crazy eextremist like Ann Coulter. This was hillarious, and I have to be frank a lot of what he said I totally agree with! Now obviously he also said some really dumb stuff, but obviously since he is infact a republican! haha jusk kindding. But really it is refreshing to have a nice book made to make fun of librals without being nasty. It was a quick and amusing read! And very well written!
86 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2014
I did enjoy this book but because I know liberals as well as I do there really wasn't a whole lot of new stuff for me to consider nor did it really expand my way of thinking a lot. It was a good book that was well written with good points and had a lot of good quotes. I am glad I read it but he was definitely preaching to the choir. If you are a conservative you will like this book. If you are a liberal you will hate it, just like the other 50 things in this book you already hate.
Profile Image for Thomas C Wilson Jr.
30 reviews15 followers
November 19, 2014
Confused about how liberals see America? Mike Gallagher can help!

Funny, insightful, and plenty of facts to back up his reasoning. I never miss an interview with or an article by Mike Gallagher. His commentary is intelligent, funny, and, as my British cousins say, "spot on." If you love America but don't quite "get" the liberal mindset and worldview, then read this book. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kristin.
6 reviews
Read
October 7, 2012
You should only read this if you enjoy being made really angry by contradictory and plain old ludicrous statement. Or, I suppose, if you're a raging Republican. That would work, too. As I fit neither of these categories, I spent most of the 350 pages being really enraged (though, I'll admit, it did produce a giggle or two - but mostly just growls).
Profile Image for Angie.
398 reviews11 followers
November 22, 2012
I didn't hateit because of the title. It's just that nothing made sense. How can I hate Wal-Mart and small business? How can one hate boys AND girls? That makes no sense whatsoever. Why would I hate success and taking chances? I legitimately took a chance on this book and it bit me in the liberal ass.
Profile Image for Brigitte.
165 reviews
February 11, 2013
While the convention got repetitive, overall I found the book really funny (and sometimes sadly illuminating with the facts). Much of the sections about academia certainly rang true with my experience.
Profile Image for Michael B.
15 reviews12 followers
October 10, 2012
Done - not bad - overall a good book - I wondered a time or two but quickly found something new to laugh about.
Profile Image for David.
15 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2012
Mike has great sense of humor and clearly hits liberals where they are in life, If you read it with his satirical insight, you will enjoy regardless of politics.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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