The Nature of Government

[Big Dog]

Consider the extent of the moral and political inversion in today’s prevalent view of government.

Instead of being a protector of man’s rights, the government is becoming their most dangerous violator; instead of guarding freedom, the government is establishing slavery; instead of protecting men from the initiators of physical force, the government is initiating physical force and coercion in any manner and issue it pleases; instead of serving as the instrument of objectivity in human relationships, the government is creating a deadly, subterranean reign of uncertainty and fear, by means of nonobjective laws whose interpretation is left to the arbitrary decisions of random bureaucrats; instead of protecting men from injury by whim, the government is arrogating to itself the power of unlimited whim—so that we are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.
     -Ayn Rand, "The Nature of Government" (1963)

And here we are.  Looks like she called that one right down the middle.

[Maxiest]

And down goes:

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.

-Abraham Lincoln

New Quote:

People of the Government, by the Government, for the Government, shall not perish from Earth.

-Socialist DUmmies

[cattlebaron]

It's absolutely well written. I was just talking about how Populism is dead since those that would have been attracted to the movement are now correctly terrified more of the leviathan of our federal government. In regards to the possible complete inversion Ayn Rand was referring to - I believe it wouldn't succeed, at least in its entirety. I believe that in such a scenario, of impending government aristocracy, many states would break with the Union. That sounded alarmist, but I believe that as a people when the "chips are down" we go back to our origins for guidance and that is thankfully an existence based on freedom.

[Dori]

I believe that in such a scenario, of impending government aristocracy, many states would break with the Union. That sounded alarmist, but I believe that as a people when the "chips are down" we go back to our origins for guidance and that is thankfully an existence based on freedom.

You may be on to something....

36 States Want to Secede from the Federal Government: What’s the Economic Impact?

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/36-states-want-secede-federal-government-economic-impact-173510792.html

[cattlebaron]

You may be on to something....

36 States Want to Secede from the Federal Government: What’s the Economic Impact?

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/36-states-want-secede-federal-government-economic-impact-173510792.html

The video was broken, but I read the article. I'd agree that many people are upset, which is illustrated by the "Take my country back" slogan popularity etc. I'm putting up an article tomorrow on my blog republican territory that address a thin part of it (not to plug myself, it's a coincidence). I feel like Americans will largely continue to "act" like Americans and we'll find salvation as a country because of that. Remember Reagan was an optimist even in dire circumstances and I believe optimism is the correct feeling.

[Dori]

Remember Reagan was an optimist even in dire circumstances and I believe optimism is the correct feeling.

Hmmm.....

This was written by John McCain's political strategist

In his new book, “Hail Mary: The 10-Step Playbook For Republican Recovery,” O’Connell serves up several bitter pills for Republicans to swallow including “Ronald Reagan is Dead. Accept it.,” “Roe v. Wade is Here to Stay,” “Hug the Gays,” and “Kill Immigration Reform, Kill the GOP,” for starters.
http://www.washingtonlife.com/2013/11/25/between-the-lines-a-republican-hail-mary/

[cattlebaron]

Hmmm.....

This was written by John McCain's political strategist

In his new book, “Hail Mary: The 10-Step Playbook For Republican Recovery,” O’Connell serves up several bitter pills for Republicans to swallow including “Ronald Reagan is Dead. Accept it.,” “Roe v. Wade is Here to Stay,” “Hug the Gays,” and “Kill Immigration Reform, Kill the GOP,” for starters.
http://www.washingtonlife.com/2013/11/25/between-the-lines-a-republican-hail-mary/

Hahaha. There have always been poor Republicans. Winning isn't everything if you've destroyed the integrity of your party by turning away from every principle we cherish as Americans. I looked at the link...just terrible. What a prick. Probably somebody who actually lives Saul Alinskys teachings. As for John McCain...Arizona can keep him.

[Freeper]

Hmmm.....

This was written by John McCain's political strategist

In his new book, “Hail Mary: The 10-Step Playbook For Republican Recovery,” O’Connell serves up several bitter pills for Republicans to swallow including “Ronald Reagan is Dead. Accept it.,” “Roe v. Wade is Here to Stay,” “Hug the Gays,” and “Kill Immigration Reform, Kill the GOP,” for starters.
http://www.washingtonlife.com/2013/11/25/between-the-lines-a-republican-hail-mary/

So in other words just adopt the same positions the democrats have that way we can have two leftist parties instead of one.

[cattlebaron]

So in other words just adopt the same positions the democrats have that way we can have two leftist parties instead of one.

Yep. That would really make the Labor Party...I mean Democrats happy.

[Dori]

Yep. That would really make the Labor Party communists...I mean Democrats happy.

FIFY 

[FlaGator]

What Ayn Rand is overlooking is that government no longer sees it role as the protector of rights but the grantor of rights in that they create new rights out of thin air. The right to universal health care is one such right. The right to a living wage is the one the are pushing now.

[Big Dog]

What Ayn Rand is overlooking is that government no longer sees it role as the protector of rights but the grantor of rights in that they create new rights out of thin air. The right to universal health care is one such right. The right to a living wage is the one the are pushing now.

She didn't overlook it, FlaGator. That was the point of the government is arrogating to itself the power of unlimited whim. She rightly compared the American Progressive movement (from Wilson through FDR to 1963) to European socialism.