Author: Bill O'Reilly
Publisher: Broadway Books
September 2000
Rush Limbaugh could take home and study a few profound balance lessons from Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly. Indeed, Rush is wrong when he says moderates (centrists) take no stand on issues and have no passion. Watching O'Reilly and reading his book, "The O'Reilly Factor" counteracts the notion entirely. Clearly, he's a passionate champion for the middle ground of America.
In his book O'Reilly covers a wide range of "factors" in American life. Chapters 1-20 cover class, money, sex, media, drugs and alcohol, jobs, parents, dating, spouses, children, celebrities, politics, race, religion, success, friendship, the ridiculous, the bad, the good, and gratitude.
O"Reilly cuts to the chase about the media. "The media... are deeply involved in your personal life for much of your waking hours. The media keep you company, and they can entertain, inform and inspire you. That's good. They can also shape your opinions, behavior, tastes and desires. That's not so good. And they can be used by powerful people to seduce and persuade you and often lie to you. That's dishonest, sometimes downright evil, and always there in your face." He concludes with a profound prediction: "I believe we're going to turn away from TV, radio, and print journalism in the twenty-first century. Our new best friend? The computer."
"The Child Factor" hits the mark by recognizing the fact that Sr. Spock's attempts to "empower" children was very wrong resulting in "...a new problem with many of today's parents. They don't view their offspring as little people who have to be molded and disciplined. Something else is going on here. When the children are being used to define a positive self-image for a boomer parent, their whims and feelings will be taken very seriously. The kids begin to rule. This is not good."
Needless to say, O'Reilly has a lot to say about "The Politics Factor." He aptly points out, "The last eight years have seen a peak in the cycle of corruption. "Business as usual" has become the politics of sleaze..." He goes on to point out, "Wait a minute, you say. Doesn't the voter "hire and fire" elected officials?" Well, not in the way the Founding Fathers intended. Today, the politicians don't court individuals because elections are won by voting blocs... When more than half the eligible voters stay home on Election Day, blocs rule!"
Bill O'Reilly makes you pause and realize that too many people in power take themselves too seriously. Adding his enlightened independence, cutting wit, problem solving, and his depth of wisdom to the mix makes The O'Reilly Factor a thoroughly good read. It is, therefore, highly recommended.