Ayn Rand wrote "Atlas Shrugged" in 1959. I recommend everyone interested in what is happening to our country today read the book. It is frightening the similarities she wrote and exactly what is happening now.

Jac,

Oh yes; when there are more people in the cart then those pulling it. Welcome to Obamanation!

Ayn Rand's thoughts were extremely prescient. She captures the entitlement mentality that we have spent long years developing, and currently suffer under. Fifty years later, her words capture elites spouting nonsense, politicians being self-serving, and too many common men looking for a handout. I've read it three or four times, and I continue to find new relevance to what our nation is becoming.

I would encourage our liberal friends to read it also.....she nails their attitude on so many things.

I went out and bought it a few days ago, thick booger. They say it may be the most frequently read novel among college students, though rarely assigned in class. If it encourages you lefties (who think you are moderates) Ayn Rand pretty much hated religion, so you might like her stuff too!

I can understand why it's rarely assigned given the thickness and some heavy hitting anti socialist ideals. But when you look at the government takeover of GM. The bailout of companies that are now being forced to cut salaries. Printing money like it was for manopoly. The carbon credit idiocy. Socialized medicine. Big government, big spending, big regulation.....all would fit nicely into Rand's 50 year old book.

There is a book out even older with predictions in it..called the old testament..it's a good book too.

I would encourage our rightwing consevatives friends to read it. sc

Old Testament, thick booger, but I've read it a few times. The prophets had an anti-authority streak in them, not too different than Ms. Rand. They said all men are equal before God, and kings and priests should be disobeyed when in error. The Jews invented the concept of natural law, the idea that rulers cannot do whatever they want, because moral law applies to everyone. Yep, Old Testament, that one's been pretty influencial too.

RedSoxMustBeDefeated!

Oh, they had a Flat Tax, too. 10% of income, same for rich and for poor. Yep, good book.

RedSoxMustBeDefeated!

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Originally posted by Chingach****:
Oh, they had a Flat Tax, too. 10% of income, same for rich and for poor. Yep, good book.

RedSoxMustBeDefeated!

Old Testament...Some great examples of what happens when you turn your back on GGod.

Ching...in fact there were two taxes at the time, one tenth for the church, one tenth for the Temple, every third year the temple tax(tithe) was collected for the poor.

Ah, now I gotta go re-read Leviticus... but, methinks Flat Tax plus voluntary contributions.
Yeah, 10% supported tribe of Levi (priests), maybe had some nickel and dime taxes, and free will offerings. To get even further off topic, the old testament law was nailed to the cross, the tithe, like the sabbath, is kaput!

Ayn Rand didn't like priests, would have favored a flat income tax over progressive income tax.

RedSoxMustBeDefeated!

I don't care if my tax burden is flat, round, square or oblong...

I just want it lower.

Me too I paid taxes upward 0f a hundreds dollors

And that's a point with Rand. You folks that have should give gladly to the have nots.

I don't mind giving to help the unfortunate, elderly widows, orphans, folks like that. But politicians confiscating money from me so they can buy votes by giving it to other people, many of whom are irresponsible slackers, now that annoys me just a little.

I haven't read the book, but this topic caught my interest and I looked into it and now plan on giving it a read.

I do have to say that the reviews and summarys I have read contrast from some of what has been posted here. They discuss government stifling of innovation, political corruption, and corporate reliance on government; none of them mentioned welfare. Either way, I look forward to reading it so thank you.

Just a hunch, but other than Social Security, I don't think there were any federal welfare programs in 1959. Amazing how far down the socialist path we've marched in the last fifty years.

Generally speaking federal welfare programs were started in the 1930's in response to the Great Depression, although they have gone through many changes over the years to become what we have today.

Well, like I said, the socialist welfare program called Social Security began in the 1930's. Pretty sure no other federal welfare programs before the 1960's. Those would be Great Society programs under the socialist president L.B. Johnson. Food stamps, AFDC, WIC, school lunch, unemployment insurance, EIC tax credit... you know all the programs that build the Great Society were people stand in line for "Obama money" instead of taking a lousy job or two, moving in with relatives, etc.

The soup lines and bread lines of the 1930's were, I believe, generally run by city governments. Religious organizations also tend to be fairly big in the charity business. The little cult compound down on the corner where I worship distributes used clothing once a week, and helps support an unwed mother/ orphanage place. Another church in town offers "free lunch" * M-F at noon. Salvation Army, Union Gospel Missions, Catholic Charities, Jewish Charities, all good stuff.

The problem with the government "safety net" sending "entitlement" checks is people begin to believe they are entitled to them. They begin to think that money comes from Obama, instead of out of the pockets of their fellow citizens. When times are good, Instead of being responsible, they buy houses, cars, and flat screen Hi-Def TV's with "nothing down, no payments until..." Why not? If you lose your job, there's a whole "safety net" of socialist government welfare programs to take care of you. It's built a great society in Detroit.

Just for the record, poverty rate did not go down in the decades following the 1960 Great Society welfare programs. I have a hunch they will go up in the next decade, socialism does that to a society.

* There is no "free lunch." People had to contribute to the church and those funds had to be directed from other, possibly more usefull purposes. It is however provided at no cost to anyone that shows up at their door M-F at noon.

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If you lose your job, there's a whole "safety net" of socialist government welfare programs to take care of you. It's built a great society in Detroit.

Point.....it will not work in Detroit. Money is being thrown down a deep black hole there.