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Rush Limbaugh: ‘Greed Has Fed More Mouths Than Charity Ever Could’

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» 57 comments

You hear that dull thud? That’s the sound of Oliver Stone kicking himself for not writing the pithy quote Rush Limbaugh just rattled off on his radio show. Yes, Limbaugh went full-on-Gekko in his support of self-interest as he asked his listeners which had “fed more mouths,” greed or charity. Of course, unlike Limbaugh, Michael Douglas probably would have balked at following up that little thought puzzle with a “weenie Liberal” impression, considering it a tad demeaning.

The quote came after a caller called in to argue that the bigger the gap between rich and poor the better as it’s better for the economy as a whole and it doesn’t help anyone when the rich lose money. Limbaugh agreed, adding on that the gap will always grow since incomes will rise and there will always be someone making nothing (although not really ’cause of all those government hand outs, amiright?!). Limbaugh then asked everyone listening to look deep into the wallets of their hearts and reflect on what everyone’s just too scared to admit.

“What do you think has fed more mouths, greed or charity? Really, you think that? What do you think, folks? What has fed more mouths in this country, the world, whatever subset of people you want to talk about. What has fed more people? ‘Freedom’ is not an option. This is a multiple choice question with two possibilities, greed or charity. That’s right. Greed has fed more mouths than charity ever could.”

At that point, Charlie Sheen or Shia LaBeouf (take your pick) could be heard stepping back aghast, finally realizing that, for all his flash and glamor, this Limbaugh guy can be kind of a jerk.

Anyway, I don’t know if I agree with Limbaugh. Maybe he was talking quantity more than quality. After all, I don’t see any soup kitchens putting out filet mignon.

Listen to the clip below:

(h/t)

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  • Anonymous

    Must…not…make…fat joke…too..easy…

  • Henry Wood

    Limpbag was misquoted!

    He actually said: “Greed has fed LARGER mouths than charity ever could.”

  • Jonathan Cantor

    The irony is that I know one AEI fellow who would make the opposite assertion. Hes due out with a book on this in the next year or so. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TWK2YYJTTIDLZIVV7NKZM23Z6Q Tyler

    On this point I disagree with Rush, while I’m a real conservative unlike Rush who thinks he’s a conservative, but changes his position ever time the wind blows, I do think as a country we need to show our compassion and give more to charity. 

  • http://twitter.com/BenitaWest1 Benita West

    Dear Mr. Limbaugh. I do not listen to you often but I was compelled to comment. I hate to say this, but for some people it takes an experience to change  rather than conversation. I do not know what experience you will face soon but you will get a wake up call. I wonder do you rest well with such negative energy in your life day in and day out. Humans are not designed to carry the negative spirit that you charter daily. God Bless you and I hope that your heart is touched very soon. 

  • Anonymous

    Yet this “conservative” santorum sucking drug addict scumbag will be one of the first to say that charity should take care of people who need health care yet cannot afford it. Nothing new here.

  • Anonymous

     Well he is a walking example of how much Greed Feeds. Apparently it has fed him very well. If he was Hansel in the Hansel and Gretel story the witch would have put him on a diet.

  • Anonymous

    I agree with Rush.  Greed,self-interest are tenants of the Rand philosophy that produces long term and sustainable outcomes.  Charity is a rush of sugar and then the poor are exactly where they where before the high.

  • Anonymous

    Greed has fed more mouths.  Charity has feed more poor.

  • Anonymous

    I like some of Gary Trudeau’s cartoons too, but Rush don’t look to be fat currently.

  • Anonymous

    I’m not a Bible scholar, but is he quoting Jesus?

  • Anonymous

    What does Rush Limbaugh do to set the example of being a hard worker? Talk?

  • http://www.facebook.com/dannojyd Danno AJyd

    Thus Rush again succeeds in tweaking the Socialist LIEberals. Thanks to their efforts the Rush Limbaugh Show remains the #1 most listened to talk show on the planet.

    No wonder Rush is rich today. ;o)

  • Anonymous

    Sounds like someone who gives nothing to charity, but makes a whole lot of money and tries to convince his idiotic listeners that he’s Christian.

  • Anonymous

    Your average Joe can’t discuss politics for 20 hours a week and make it entertaining and engaging. Just because his job isn’t physically demanding doesn’t mean he doesn’t work hard. 

  • Anonymous

    Oh the “Rand philosophy” of being a greedy asshole? OH THAT ONE!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Finn-Wilsonshire/100003030410585 Finn Wilsonshire

    Ahhh… Come on FunnyLiberal! Here, I’ll go first: FIRST LADY MICHELLE FATTBUTT !!!!!

  • Anonymous

    THANK YOU, Carver7. I’ve been saying this forever about windbags like this guy and Glenn Beck. You can go to the local watering hole and find a zillion guys who will spout off their opinions about everything all day long, but I don’t see them getting a dime for it. Haha, anyway thanks for the comment. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Finn-Wilsonshire/100003030410585 Finn Wilsonshire

    Does your comment apply to Rachel Bulldyke and Lawrence O’Douche, or just Rush?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Finn-Wilsonshire/100003030410585 Finn Wilsonshire

    You are one aaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnngry llllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiberal. Cheer up, Sailor!

  • Anonymous

    January 20, 2009… the day the Right Wingers went bat shit crazy.  Limpballs may be rich, but he’s a tool.

  • Anonymous

    Oh I’m not a bit angry, Finn. I’m merely stating my opinion. Besides, LimpBalls IS a boy trolling drug addicted santorum sucking scumbag and that’s a fact. Happy Monday!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DFL5IYJYSNNVM24EHDSHBQPT5U james

    which has killed more people?

  • Anonymous

    You’re truly not a conservative either there cupcake.

    I would imagine you probably won’t donate in a lifetime what Limbaugh donates yearly.  

    toodles.  If we can help you find your way to the liberal line, let us know.  Need a seeing eye dog?

  • Henry Wood

    I don’t really understand these nonsensical comments about Ms. Obama’s figure.  Obviously there is sexism here, and probably some racism, too.  I get that part. 

    But what I don’t get is that Mrs. Obama looks great.  Fat butt?  I’d wager her behind is quite a bit smaller than Finn’s is.  And of course with Limpbag there is no comparison whatsoever.

  • labman57

    Hey Rush, Gordon Gekko called — he wants his self-serving talking points back.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bart-Morgay/100001554351938 Bart Morgay

    Well Limbaugh certainly is an expert on greed so he knows what he is talking about with regards to that.

  • 越飞

    The average Joe has too much integrity to be a talking head like Rush and Glenn. He also has much more important things to do than listen to them for an entire hour or more. The exception I know of is professional drivers who just sit and steer vehicles for hours at a time.

  • 越飞

    Rush is saying capitalism equals greed. That is not the common definition. Capitalism is legitimate self-interest. Greed is taking more than you earn via deception or coercion and hoarding it. Greed does not create jobs. Capitalism does that.

  • Anonymous

    Anyone can spout their opinions but some people, like Rush, work hard and build confidence in order to give themselves a platform. Rush wasn’t just randomly picked to be on radio… he’s there because his personality and antics make him successful and his boss $$$

  • Anonymous

    Michelle Obama is one of our most attractive first ladies.  If you don’t believe that, check out the others.

  • Anonymous

    WRONG:

    Rush has raised over $15 million for Leukemia research and donated $2 million for children’s college education funds. 

  • Anonymous

    this jesus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybhm7p5aCLE

  • Anonymous

    yes of course rush, we should follow the example of dictators and kings in order to benefit humanity. God bless us everyone…..except for everyone else. 

  • Anonymous

    Political correctness is defined as attacks on people for saying things everyone knows are true.  For an example, see the above article. 

    For more examples, check out Mediaite tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that, and next week, and next month, and next year….

  • http://twitter.com/Socoral Tom Green

    I think you are confusing a “truth” was a stereotype.  

  • Anonymous

    lol wut? tell me how the greed of saddam hussein put food on the table? or the greed of the saudi kings? or just about any dictator who’s ever lived? 

  • Anonymous

    Build confidence in who? I don’t understand. If you asked any of those barflies if they wanted to make millions spouting their opinions on radio, they’d ‘work hard’ too, if by work hard you mean put in the requisite hours. I would argue his ‘success’ is attributed to the fact that he’s controversial so he gets listeners. But I don’t see where the working hard comes into play. He’s just another one of those people who don’t realize how much blind luck went into landing in a spot where be became a millionaire. He has a radio show! How is that even a job, let alone one that pays more than $35,000 a year? Not

  • Just some Blow Hard…

    Please give me examples of greed working out for the best interest everyone.

  • Just some Blow Hard…

    Please give me examples of greed working out for the best interest everyone.

  • Henry Wood

    You mean Ayn Rand, the woman whose ideal hero (she called him a “superman”) was a man who brutally murdered a young girl and then ransomed her remains to her desperate parents?

  • Anonymous

    LOL Listening to a bitter old fat Boomer bloviate for 3 hours a day is entertaining?

  • Anonymous

    Have to give the little sleaze credit for a fertile thinking mind.. he’s the only one on the right who I can think of who has functioning neurons and synapses over his shoulders

    and no, righties, smarts is not a conductive matter, you don’t get to be described as smart just because you listen to Rush

    You don’t listen to him not because of his smarts anyway, you listen to him because he’s artful in articulating your slimy sleazy nature (just listen to the caller) and ideology in not so awful terms

  • Anonymous

    You’re too stupid for words.  Besides, if I described to you just how stupid you are, you wouldn’t understand.  

  • Anonymous

    onward Christian soldiers..

    at least we know Limbaugh hates the church…

  • Anonymous

    “Greed, for lack of a better word” is the salient part of Gordon Gekko’s famous speech from “Wall Street”. Its the “lack of a better word” part that your average left leaner misses completely, because for them, there is no better word for self interest. “self Interest is good” simply would not have had the impact Stone desired.

    In actuality, “greed” is one of the 7 deadly sins, for those who believe in sin. It is a condition of having an unhealthy preoccupation with acquiring and possessing. The truth is, ALL people are primarily motivated by self interest (the correct word) and it is that which makes capitalism work. That is the ability to succeed without the limitations that some oppressive political place on the average person. The Mayflower Pilgrims discovered this, that when collectivist restrictions were removed, the colony began to flourish from the abundancy created as a result of people’s self interest.

    Some people (the Leftists here) are unable to distinguish between the two concepts. For them purposely conflating the two is a useful way to attack systems which aren’t redistributive and favor political power over economic power, like socialism. 

    What Limbaugh did was appropriate Oliver Stone’s own characterization for the purpose of pointing out the absurdity of the other’s position, something he does often. It is no surprise that those on the Left would miss this nuance and think they have caught Limbaugh in an unguarded comment. In fact the largest percentage of manufactured outrage over Limbaugh comes from Leftists who have never listened to 5 minutes of his programs  relying instead on quotes stripped of all context, the most important of which is Limbaughs way of ridiculing Leftists by using their own words.Greed is obviously real of course. But it isn’t limited to money and possessions. And it has little to do with political persuasion.

  • Anonymous

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Michelle does not have the requisite ratio of boob to hip to butt to be attractive.The “Shmoo” shape lost popularity back around the 50s.

  • Anonymous

    I meant that Rush (and all entertainers) have to have a lot of confidence to articulate their opinions for 4 hours straight each and every day. That’s something to be rewarded for.

    And also, Rush has been doing talk radio since he was in college. He didn’t miraculously end up with the job one day … he started small time and through persistence, creative dialogue, and engaging his viewers, he was able to make it big time. Rush is a pretty good example of ‘making it in America’ – even if you don’t like his politics. 
    You’re right, a lot of people would like to have his job and be able to spout their opinions all day, but many people wouldn’t be willing to start off with only a few hundred viewers and put in the time and dedication to eventually be the most listened to host in America.

  • Anonymous

    What does his weight have to do with anything? You know, I have EYES – I can tell he’s overweight but I DONT GIVE A CRAP. Its America, if he wants to eat Big Macs he’s allowed. The fact that you make fun of him for that says more about you than it does about him. 

  • Anonymous

    Sometimes I just turn on Rush when I’m at home for the background noise. I don’t sit there and stare at the radio for hours…. And a lot of people don’t like talking heads, but their existence is really a necessary evil. In a country so large we need people to drive the political discussion. It’s just unfortunate that being partisan makes you more successful than being truthful and rational.

    I don’t listen to Rush because I’m dependent on his commentary, I listen to Rush because he’s not afraid to engage viewers he disagrees with and he’s not afraid of his opinions even though people try to silence him (like our congress, who drafted a petition about Rush being bad for America). He’s entertaining and that’s why casual listeners are able to stay interested in the show, even if they’re not overly-political 

  • 越飞

    Makes sense to me. My “background noise” used to be mostly CNN.
    I was out of the States when Rush first made waves, and as I returned a few folks asked me if I was a fan of his. They were super enthusiastic. I found out I am not a fan of his soon after that.
    It is good that people can make be controversial on the radio and/or TV. Freedom of speech. The only thing that bothers me is how popular the most extreme can be.

  • Anonymous

    That porcine postule of hate is fair game. Ever hear him proclaim “Moochelle” or refer to a teenage Chelsea Clinton as “the family dog.” Apologize away, and tell us how awful we are for returning fire on this fat bastard who hides behind a microphone rather than confront us Liberals head on. Fat, cysty sissy!

  • Anonymous

    Rusty got his first Radio job in Cape Giraudeau and didn’t EARN it. His daddy the Judge knew a station owner –who probably owed him a favor –and THAT’S how he got his start. So much for pulling one up by one’s own boot straps.

  • Anonymous

    rush despises higher ed. So I don’t believe you for one second.

  • http://twitter.com/Screaming_Head The Screaming Head

    And Limbaugh has fed more drug dealers with his habit than with his charity.

    http://occupyxmas.net

  • Anonymous

    How sad that this is even debatable.  Of course, self interest or greed feeds more people than charity.  If you needed to rely on the farmer to give you meat, grain, or vegatables out of the goodness of his charitable heart… most of us would starve.  The only reason we have an abundance of food is because the people who grow it, want as much money as they can get.  The only reason you have an iPhone is because of the greed of Steve Jobs.  All the things that make life nice were created because someone wanted to sell it to you….for a profit!  If your not greedy, walk into your job and tell them you don’t need your pay this month, because you’re not greedy.

  • Anonymous

    That’s in your eye…..now check out the other first ladies……..frizzymstarbaby2

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