Posted on 10/16/2008 7:15:26 PM PDT by NewJerseyJoe
Atlas Shrugged has been on my mind a great deal these past few weeks. I don't hold with Ayn Rand on everything -- her view of what constitutes "morality," for example, is in complete opposition to my closely held religious faith. And she could have used a good editor; the damn book could have been half its size but just as effective. However, Rand did have incredible foresight into the political and socioeconomic ills that were occurring around her and that abound, nearly unchecked, in our world of 2008.
Apparently, I'm not the only person who has been thinking along these lines -- for example, see Ask Dr. Helen's article "Is It Time to 'Go John Galt'?". This is very much the question that has been plaguing me: what will I be doing in response to the presidential election?
Regardless of the outcome of next month's election, a great deal of pain lies ahead for most Americans. The American financial market and business environment are currently in big trouble -- either in complete meltdown or overdue correction, depending on your viewpoint -- and the heavily burdened American taxpayers have been handed the tab for the "fix" instituted by politicians.
Senator McCain, I've never been a big supporter of you -- I don't like your past and/or present positions on illegal aliens, the First Amendment, oil drilling, etc. However, I'm supporting you in this election for two reasons: your excellent (and surprising) choice of a vice presidential candidate, and your recent apparent modifications of your positions on some issues.
However, be very clear about one fact: you are this country's last RINO politician. Should you carry the day, I am going to stay on top of your policies and positions. If I may channel Steinbeck for a moment… When you propose opening America's doors to illegal aliens, I'll be there. When you start to discuss limiting the freedom of speech, I'll be there. When you start waxing rhapsodic about the phony science of "man-made global warming," I'll be there, too. To paraphrase a line from your acceptance speech: "I will make you famous, and others will know your name." Betray me -- as I have been betrayed in the past, time and time again, by Republican politicians too numerous to count -- and I will be at the front of the pack, demanding your ouster.
Governor Palin… what can I say? "You had me at 'Hello'." I was a proponent of you running for president at the beginning of 2008, at a time when most Americans (outside of Free Republic) had no idea who you were. You have my encouragement, my support, and my admiration. The only warning I will give to you is to stay on McCain's tail in those areas where he is deficient: energy policy, "immigration" (i.e., dealing with illegal aliens), constitutional rights, and -- heaven help us -- "crossing the aisle" to work with the enemies of this country (viz., Democrats). Steer him in the right directions, with your wit, your charm, and your plainspoken manner, and we'll have him turned around in no time.
The economic situation is very bad. I'm counting on the two of you to help move this country back to a pro-growth, pro-capitalism, pro-America world view.
If this scenario occurs, it will be catastrophic, as it will likely be accompanied by a Democrat takeover of both houses of Congress. American voters (including Deceased Americans and those allowed to vote more than once) will have elected their first openly Communist president.
For years, we have heard liberals throw around (incorrectly) the word fascist in supposed reference to conservatives. If the Obama ticket prevails, bona fide, literal fascism will soon be coming to a street corner near you. Should this nightmare come to pass, I -- and many tens of millions of others, I suspect -- will be implementing any of a number of possible actions, including the following:
There could be many, many more points made (I haven't even touched on energy policy and "global warming"), but these should suffice for now. Be warned, Mr. Hussein Obama: This country holds many Spartacuses. For every one you and your jackbooted thugs cut down, two more will rise to take his place.
Goat’s milk has a very strong flavor, and is not to my liking, either. But goat’s milk cheese is excellent! Arugula-eating Obamabots will fork over $5 or $6 for 4 oz. of “artisenal” chevre (a fancy name for goat’s milk cheese), so your purchase of the goats could be self-funding, and you could get the money primarily from Dems.
You can’t have that kind of capitalism in a modern society. There have been regulations on business since Hammurabi. I think gov’t should do as much as possible in broad regulation which affects all the same, like increasing min wages which affect all employers.
People are people and while selfishness might work to some degree in a small business, it starts to crap up the works in a larger corporate environment. Have you seenthat Fuld guy on TV? How in the world is a dweeb like him worth a million dollars a week? Its frigging absurd.
parsy, who isn’t a commie but does have a thing against big business and the whole laisse faire thing.
No, I’m a conservative who thinks a lazy a** coupon clipper or some CEO who is overpaid ain’t a hero. I am a conservative who realizes that we live in a human community and if we don’t spread the wealth around better, we are going to lose the whole shebang and end up with some sort of totalitarian state here.
parsy, who is not afraid to open his eyes.
What the..?????
So, you are "right" with Obama's "spread the wealth" crap.
Another pubbie....caves to the left.
Members of the human community need to earn their keep. Living off the earnings of others is not a viable option, and neither is taking from some to give to others.
I’m not caving to the left. I just have enough sense to realize the importance of recognizingthat its not every man for himself. We live in a community and that is why we have to have laws and rules. The biggest reason why we have gone commie or totally facist, is that people have believed in the inherent fairness of the system. That began to break down a few decades ago and if it doesn’t get addressed, we are going to end up to sing Volga Boatmen while we work in the wheatfields scything by hand.
parsy, who doesn’t think being a conservative requires a lobotomy.
Winners and losers...
Risk takers and status quo folks....
People that aren't lazy, and people that are.
We will have people like yourself...that "feel" like it's unfair.
Obama has a job for you....run along and go apply for it.
I don’t recall advocating absolute equality of result for all people. There need to be some floors to protect all of us. Go look up Solon and the Great Shaking Out. Our society has gotten too polarized and the GOP has been too busy protecting the haves. The have less and the have-nots are Americans too.
I am reminded of that scene in Atlas Shrugged when somebody’s father (Dagny’s) went out and started building the bridge all by himself one night. It was portrayed as heroic when what it really was, was a psychotic break.
Funny how conservatives think serving in the military is noble but don’t see how buying a $70,000 house for $341 at a foreclosure sale isn’t ignoble.
parsy, who don’t get it sometimes.
You've swerved into the kool-aid fumes....of socialism.
fwiw...you can have the last word.
Hello,
I’m very interested in the information that you described (reloading for ~$150). Can you send me the components?
Thank you in advance,
Jay
BTTT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.