Author Topic: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.  (Read 3509 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« on: January 12, 2009, 10:26:06 AM »
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Some years ago when I worked at the libertarian Cato Institute, we used to label any new hire who had not yet read "Atlas Shrugged" a "virgin." Being conversant in Ayn Rand's classic novel about the economic carnage caused by big government run amok was practically a job requirement. If only "Atlas" were required reading for every member of Congress and political appointee in the Obama administration. I'm confident that we'd get out of the current financial mess a lot faster.

Many of us who know Rand's work have noticed that with each passing week, and with each successive bailout plan and economic-stimulus scheme out of Washington, our current politicians are committing the very acts of economic lunacy that "Atlas Shrugged" parodied in 1957, when this 1,000-page novel was first published and became an instant hit.
Rand, who had come to America from Soviet Russia with striking insights into totalitarianism and the destructiveness of socialism, was already a celebrity. The left, naturally, hated her. But as recently as 1991, a survey by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club found that readers rated "Atlas" as the second-most influential book in their lives, behind only the Bible.

For the uninitiated, the moral of the story is simply this: Politicians invariably respond to crises -- that in most cases they themselves created -- by spawning new government programs, laws and regulations. These, in turn, generate more havoc and poverty, which inspires the politicians to create more programs . . . and the downward spiral repeats itself until the productive sectors of the economy collapse under the collective weight of taxes and other burdens imposed in the name of fairness, equality and do-goodism.

In the book, these relentless wealth redistributionists and their programs are disparaged as "the looters and their laws." Every new act of government futility and stupidity carries with it a benevolent-sounding title. These include the "Anti-Greed Act" to redistribute income (sounds like Charlie Rangel's promises soak-the-rich tax bill) and the "Equalization of Opportunity Act" to prevent people from starting more than one business (to give other people a chance). My personal favorite, the "Anti Dog-Eat-Dog Act," aims to restrict cut-throat competition between firms and thus slow the wave of business bankruptcies. Why didn't Hank Paulson think of that?

These acts and edicts sound farcical, yes, but no more so than the actual events in Washington, circa 2008. We already have been served up the $700 billion "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act" and the "Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act." Now that Barack Obama is in town, he will soon sign into law with great urgency the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan." This latest Hail Mary pass will increase the federal budget (which has already expanded by $1.5 trillion in eight years under George Bush) by an additional $1 trillion -- in roughly his first 100 days in office.
The current economic strategy is right out of "Atlas Shrugged": The more incompetent you are in business, the more handouts the politicians will bestow on you. That's the justification for the $2 trillion of subsidies doled out already to keep afloat distressed insurance companies, banks, Wall Street investment houses, and auto companies -- while standing next in line for their share of the booty are real-estate developers, the steel industry, chemical companies, airlines, ethanol producers, construction firms and even catfish farmers. With each successive bailout to "calm the markets," another trillion of national wealth is subsequently lost. Yet, as "Atlas" grimly foretold, we now treat the incompetent who wreck their companies as victims, while those resourceful business owners who manage to make a profit are portrayed as recipients of illegitimate "windfalls."

When Rand was writing in the 1950s, one of the pillars of American industrial might was the railroads. In her novel the railroad owner, Dagny Taggart, an enterprising industrialist, has a FedEx-like vision for expansion and first-rate service by rail. But she is continuously badgered, cajoled, taxed, ruled and regulated -- always in the public interest -- into bankruptcy. Sound far-fetched? On the day I sat down to write this ode to "Atlas," a Wall Street Journal headline blared: "Rail Shippers Ask Congress to Regulate Freight Prices."

In one chapter of the book, an entrepreneur invents a new miracle metal -- stronger but lighter than steel. The government immediately appropriates the invention in "the public good." The politicians demand that the metal inventor come to Washington and sign over ownership of his invention or lose everything.

The scene is eerily similar to an event late last year when six bank presidents were summoned by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to Washington, and then shuttled into a conference room and told, in effect, that they could not leave until they collectively signed a document handing over percentages of their future profits to the government. The Treasury folks insisted that this shakedown, too, was all in "the public interest."

Ultimately, "Atlas Shrugged" is a celebration of the entrepreneur, the risk taker and the cultivator of wealth through human intellect. Critics dismissed the novel as simple-minded, and even some of Rand's political admirers complained that she lacked compassion. Yet one pertinent warning resounds throughout the book: When profits and wealth and creativity are denigrated in society, they start to disappear -- leaving everyone the poorer.

One memorable moment in "Atlas" occurs near the very end, when the economy has been rendered comatose by all the great economic minds in Washington. Finally, and out of desperation, the politicians come to the heroic businessman John Galt (who has resisted their assault on capitalism) and beg him to help them get the economy back on track. The discussion sounds much like what would happen today:
Galt: "You want me to be Economic Dictator?"
Mr. Thompson: "Yes!"
"And you'll obey any order I give?"
"Implicitly!"
"Then start by abolishing all income taxes."
"Oh no!" screamed Mr. Thompson, leaping to his feet. "We couldn't do that . . . How would we pay government employees?"
"Fire your government employees."
"Oh, no!"

Abolishing the income tax. Now that really would be a genuine economic stimulus. But Mr. Obama and the Democrats in Washington want to do the opposite: to raise the income tax "for purposes of fairness" as Barack Obama puts it.
David Kelley, the president of the Atlas Society, which is dedicated to promoting Rand's ideas, explains that "the older the book gets, the more timely its message." He tells me that there are plans to make "Atlas Shrugged" into a major motion picture -- it is the only classic novel of recent decades that was never made into a movie. "We don't need to make a movie out of the book," Mr. Kelley jokes. "We are living it right now."

John Galt and I read this article this morning and just couldn't stop laughing.  It beats the hell out of the alternative - sobbing uncontrollably.
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Eupher

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2009, 11:08:05 AM »
Ayn Rand was a controversial figure in her own right, but I can't argue the main theme of the novel:

Once government begins to meddle into our affairs, they won't stop until we're dead.

A synonym I've often used for "government" is "parasite."

Thanks, D6, for posting that article. Saved me from reading it tonight since I get the WSJ at home.
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Offline DixieBelle

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2009, 11:14:28 AM »
Thanks D6! Brilliant article.
I can see November 2 from my house!!!

Spread my work ethic, not my wealth.

Forget change, bring back common sense.
-------------------------------------------------

No, my friends, there’s only one really progressive idea. And that is the idea of legally limiting the power of the government. That one genuinely liberal, genuinely progressive idea — the Why in 1776, the How in 1787 — is what needs to be conserved. We need to conserve that fundamentally liberal idea. That is why we are conservatives. --Bill Whittle

Offline bijou

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2009, 11:17:08 AM »
John Galt and I read this article this morning and just couldn't stop laughing.  It beats the hell out of the alternative - sobbing uncontrollably.
I couldn't agree more with your last sentence, we are much further down the line here in the UK and things are getting worse. :(



Offline GOP Congress

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2009, 12:53:18 PM »
I have considered what is called a "Litmus Test" in determining our best candidates for 2010 in Congress. In fact, I will probably make a special indication to whether a candidate or potential candidate read this book. I had considered it before, but with your experience with the Cato Institute, it will significantly make me consider it and address it with my partner. Thanks for the story!
"The main purpose of the Democrat Party and the Left is to destroy the United States, transform Western Civilization to a tribal-based dystopia, and to ultimately kill all conservatives and non progressives." - Jonah Kyle

Offline GOP Congress

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2009, 03:24:38 PM »
Don't worry...I'll know. But it is a fair question.

In general, I will know by their overall understanding the REASON why tyranny is created in the first place, MOST of it from "good intentions." Such good intentions include "getting along" with the democrats, which today is tantamount to getting along with Stalin, Castro, and other dictators.

If they've not just read the book, but can recognize the progression of tyranny that is now so blatant with the current congress, media, and Europe, then I consider it a success. I cannot imagine a true conservative who, after reading the book, can honestly legislate against its tenets.
"The main purpose of the Democrat Party and the Left is to destroy the United States, transform Western Civilization to a tribal-based dystopia, and to ultimately kill all conservatives and non progressives." - Jonah Kyle

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2009, 05:30:37 PM »
"Atlas Shrugged" and the "Peter Principle" should be required "study" in high school....hell they get to vote at 18 now don't they?
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline rich_t

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2009, 05:33:40 PM »
I guess I'm going to have to break down and actually read that book someday soon.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Chris_

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2009, 01:47:20 PM »
I guess I'm going to have to break down and actually read that book someday soon.

If Hooked on Phonics wasn't exactly a paragon of success for you - or if you're just too damned busy shoveling your hard earned into the fireboxes of Obama-topia - they sell it as an audio book; it's unabridged format is about 60 hours long, and $30 at Amazon.
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline rich_t

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2009, 07:04:08 PM »
If Hooked on Phonics wasn't exactly a paragon of success for you - or if you're just too damned busy shoveling your hard earned into the fireboxes of Obama-topia - they sell it as an audio book; it's unabridged format is about 60 hours long, and $30 at Amazon.

Now that I am recently laid-off, I'll have the time to find a copy and read it.  It's just a book that I keep forgetting to put on my reading wish list.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Bok_Tukalo

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2009, 07:15:41 PM »
Objectivism is literally infantile. 

Glad I got over it.  Sorry it wasn't until my twenties since most get over it around the age of four.

Offline rich_t

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2009, 09:03:03 PM »
Objectivism is literally infantile. 

Glad I got over it.  Sorry it wasn't until my twenties since most get over it around the age of four.

I'm afraid you are going to have to translate that one for me.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline ReardenSteel

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2009, 09:16:35 PM »
Best book ever. Mind growing, thought producing and an American triumph.

The non-fiction Ayn Rand is even better.  :cheersmate:
"When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed."

- Ayn Rand
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1826

Offline rich_t

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2009, 09:35:17 PM »
Ok Ok Ok

I'll read it soon, I promise.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline ReardenSteel

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2009, 09:41:58 PM »
Ok Ok Ok

I'll read it soon, I promise.

LOL

It's a jouney but it's worth it. My sig line is from a part of the novel called "Francisco's money speech".

Just a taste of what is to come.  :-)
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1826
"When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed."

- Ayn Rand
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1826

Offline The Village Idiot

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2009, 02:19:38 AM »
John Galt was not a heroic businessman he was an inventor

Offline GOP Congress

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Re: Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years.
« Reply #16 on: February 01, 2009, 11:23:36 AM »
For just about everything you need to know but the book itself, Cliff Notes has a complete synopsis, character analyses, and even the essays that make up the main theme of the book.

Cliff Notes for Atlas Shrugged


"The main purpose of the Democrat Party and the Left is to destroy the United States, transform Western Civilization to a tribal-based dystopia, and to ultimately kill all conservatives and non progressives." - Jonah Kyle