September 19, 2014

What is an Overton Window and Why is it Important?

Some of you Glenn Beck fans might be familiar with what an “Overton Window” is. I’m not talking about his book by the same title (which I own, but haven’t read yet). I’m speaking of the term on which he based his book.

The Overton Window is a theory created by Joseph Overton from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Here is a brief explanation from their site:

“Joseph Overton observed that in a given public policy area, such as education, only a relatively narrow range of potential policies will be considered politically acceptable. This “window” of politically acceptable options is primarily defined not by what politicians prefer, but rather by what they believe they can support and still win re-election. In general, then, the window shifts to include different policy options not when ideas change among politicians, but when ideas change in the society that elects them.”

Here is a video from the Glenn Beck’s show when he was still on Fox, with Joseph Lehman, the President of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. It might help explain it for those who need more visual explanation than written.

As the video explains, you may not know what the term “Overton Window” means, but it has been used on you countless times.

You might be asking “what has this got to do with preparedness?” It has to do with your mindset and awareness; the awareness of when you’re being manipulated. In The Future of America I list some of my concerns with the current administration. I also cover America and prophecy and explain some possibilities that could lie ahead for us. These are things like: an economic collapse resembling that of the one seen in Argentina, which could lead to large social programs being cut, which could then lead to rioting on a scale never seen before in America, which could lead to Martial Law and the suspension of Habeas Corpus. I also believe that after the next large event, there will be a power grab that makes all others thus far pale in comparison. To accomplish some of those things, the “Overton Window” will have to be moved, so that the idea of Marshal Law or many other ugly things are something that the citizenry see as acceptable, if not needed.

The reason knowing this is important is that when you see the “Overton Window” being pushed, it can be a sign that things could be about to hit the fan. Also make sure you you’re not one of those that gets distracted (or manipulated) by what the right hand is doing and does not notice what the left is. Don’t be willing to accept just a little loss of your freedoms, because it’s better than what was initially imposed or proposed.

Here is one example to help paint a picture of how a politician can use this to move the “Overton Window”. Pretend I am the Governor of your state; I decide that we need to turn three of your fairly large freeways into toll roads to bring in more tax revenue. Now, I know that this idea is outside of the “Overton Window”, so instead of putting forth legislation to turn these freeways into toll roads, I do so and say that private companies will operate them, most of which are companies from another country. The citizens are in an uproar; “how dare I let a foreign company put a toll on an American! If anyone is going to charge me a toll it dang sure better be someone from America or someone from my own state!” And the window has now moved. What would have been unacceptable before now seems the more reasonable option. Think this sounds farfetched? Governor Perry tried to do it in Texas in 2010.

Here is another example, one that the President would like to enact very much. In fact, he mentioned it several times in the 2008 campaign. He said we couldn’t just rely on our military to achieve the national security objectives that he has set, so he would like to create a Civilian National Security Force that is just as powerful, just as strong and just as well funded. Here is a video where a reporter interviews Rham Emanuel, when he was the President’s Chief of Staff, who speaks about what this force might look like. The President speaks at the 3minute 42 second mark.

Obviously it hasn’t been enacted, but don’t think that this has been discarded. I think that the “Overton Window” just isn’t in the right place yet. As Rahm Emanuel said, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” What kind of crisis could provoke the “Overton Window” to be moved to where the President could achieve this goal?

In “Terrorism: Lone Wolf and Swarm Attacks”, I explain two types of terrorist attacks that I think we’ll see more and more of as time goes on. They are: a lone gunman or a small team of gunmen attacking soft targets, such as shopping malls, churches and schools, among others. If there was a huge spike in these kinds of attacks, where the police were just overwhelmed, maybe, just maybe, the “Overton Window” could move far enough for the President to get his Civilian National Security Force.

This is completely speculative but I would imagine that this Civilian National Security Force would swear an oath to the President, and not to the Constitution like the military does. Of course the attacks would be horrendous and need to be stopped, and I don’t know about you, but to have a group of people with the Presidents ideals who are just as powerful, just as strong and just as well funded as the military sounds like hitting the fan to me, creating a fundamental change to America that may never be undone.



  1. Renard Gervais says:


    Good timely article. There already is in place a ‘civilian national security force’ though:

    You should actually read Glen’s “Overton Window”; though a novel/fiction, it contains elements that are needed to be understood. Fine points of the coming mess. Rather bleak.

    Funny (black humor) as I type this, I can see ‘false flags’ being pulled up the pole, disinformation by the MSM and all of our elected “represent (us)ative”. We really need to get our collective acts together as a nation. Lest it cease to exist.

    • Renard that link is a far cry from what the President outlines. I actually took part in CERT, which is the entry for this group. It is about being able to assist your local area when and if a disaster strikes. Nothing there to do with being as well trained, as well funded as the military.

      I do plan to read the book, now I just need some free time lol.

  2. Chris, I had not heard of the “Overtoon Window” but found this to be alarming. The interview with Rham Emanuel was just plain disturbing to say the least. Kind of what Hitler did before the start of WWII in Germany. Which brings me to my point, I think obama and his administration are trying to make ALL Americans dependent on the federal government which is close to 50% now that is on some kind of public assistance. When enough are on public assistance and depending on big brother for their food or whatever, what better way to enact the very thing that Emanuel was speaking of. If you want this months food stamps you will have to agree to serve in this corps period. What better way to enforce it without to much fuss. Hitler also made it mandatory for all children to be put into special schools that further indoctrinated the children. It also encouraged the children to spy on their families and turn them in if they were not complying with all the new rules and regulations.
    You were correct in saying Perry did try and put this in and the outcry could have been heard in the next state. People of Texas will not stand for much more from Gov. Perry and I doubt he will get another term as Gov. He has done some good but when he makes a mistake it is a biggy. He is also implementing agenda 21, It is already in all the major cities of Texas. If you want to know more about agenda 21 look it up on the UN web site under ICKLY It is not a good thing that’s for sure.

    • Suni I barely scratched the surface. Glenn covered this a great deal last year, but many of Obama’s friends were radicals in the 60’s, some were in a group called the weather underground. I’ll add one link below. One of their stated goals was to overload the system with people on welfare, food stamps and the like, so that our capitalist system crashed and we became their socialist utopia. We get closer and closer every day.

  3. Thanks Chris I have downloaded the PDF and will read the entire manifesto. Sure shounds like what is happening, don’t you think?

  4. Hightower Lowdown said, “The Mackinac Center for Public Policy was set up 25 years ago and is linked to a network of Koch-headed centers in nearly every state. Mackinac is an idea factory and advocate for shrinking people power and enhancing corporate control.” Therefore, I am suspicious of the “Overton Window.”

    Creating fear and distrust of a society that is still following the rule of law is bad. Teachers and school administrators are trying their best to educate our children.

    • I had not heard of Hightower Lowdown and had to look it up, I still can’t tell much about him or his beliefs in the short time I was on the site. I agree that the Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a think tanks, or idea factory, but I’m not sure I agree with “shrinking people power and enhancing corporate control.” But in truth I know little about them other than the Overton Window. But even if everything that was said about them is true, does that make the Overton Window a lie? Not hardly, they just named a behavior that they saw in politics. Call it whatever you like, it is manipulation.

      I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you meant with “Creating fear and distrust of a society that is still following the rule of law is bad. Teachers and school administrators are trying their best to educate our children.” I’m missing how that related to the Overton Window.

      I nor Mackinac Center is creating fear or distrust, they named something that politicians use to manipulate and sway public opinion and I am sharing their theory.

    • Confusing stuff to me but interesting info when combined with my little knowledge of the Cloward-Piven Strategy. Sounds like a plan bringing about Prophetic stuff ultimately having us submit to a world government in order to buy, sell and trade for even the most basic items.

      The plan is in place and “they” are working the plan.

      Exciting Times!

      • Cloward-Piven, I couldn’t think of their names, but you are exactly right, thank you!

        With QE3 on the way, the dollar is going to be worth less then it is today. Combine that with our skyrocketing debt and ever increasing social programs and the state of the Eurozone and the Euro, and I have to agree that it could be pushing us toward one world currency.


  1. […] have been some suggested measures to implement stricter gun control, but I don’t think the Overton Window has moved enough to really go after guns.  Maybe it won’t and maybe we’ll just see […]

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