That’s Not What They Meant!: Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America’s Right Wing

Austin (Reading the World), English professor at Newman University, condemns the way right-wing figures such as Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, David Barton, and Larry Schweikart use the founding fathers to promote their own politics. He addresses the issues of original intent, federal power, judicial review, and church-state relations, padding his commentary with 46 pages of founders’ documents. Though Austin rightly distinguishes between the views of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and the talk-radio “conservative fringe,” he rails against an incoherent version of America’s past and the “right wing’s anti-judicial rhetoric,” ignoring the same on the left, from historian Howard Zinn to court review of health legislation. Dropping any pretense of scholarly objectivity toward the end, Austin gives a thumbs-up to facts and narratives “to beat up our ideological opponents.” He concludes with a shout, “Mr. Levin and Mr. Beck: I’m sick and tired of YOU putting down my country.” Austin’s self-righteous disdain will appeal to readers for whom “right wing” denotes imbecility or evil. (Sept.)