[GOPJ]

We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now, that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

There's a reason this book's a classic... it's really 'cash in on the guilt AND fear'...

[DIRTYSECRET]

Oh man. Makes me wanna read it again. I’ll do it.

My favorite parts. Page 97. Francisco telling Jim Taggart to spare his opinions-wasting peoples time. It’s THE WAY he said it.

Then there’s the party Francisco crashed. 10 pages of stand ing up for Reardon-I believe.

Last the train derailment. 50 pages or so of how the buck is passed. 360 dead I believe.

1080 pages. Good summer reading requirement for high schoolers.