[Publius]

FReeper Book Club

Atlas Shrugged

Part I: Non-Contradiction

Chapter III: The Top and the Bottom

Ping! The thread has been posted.

Earlier threads:
Our First Freeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Theme
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Chain

Our vote on posting frequency is:

1. Once a week: 22 votes
2. Twice a week: 6 votes
3. Post a new thread when the last one has run out of steam: 9 votes

I think it’s a landslide.

[Explorer89]

"Jim states that when the people are agreed on something, how dare anyone dissent from the popular will? (This is to become a recurring theme.)"

Can anyone say "Global Warming is real: we have a consensus"?

[SoftballMominVA]

“The only justification of private property is public service.”

This comes close to one of the sub-themes and a key underlying thread in the book. Reflect that Ayn Rand nearly died of starvation in what has previously been a bread basket of the new Soviet Union. Ayn Rand, for all her faults, hated communism and hated Marxism. Therefore, this comment can be tied into her disgust for all things Communist.

No one needs a justification to own anything. I own what I own by the sweat of my brow, not because I plan on using it for the good of anyone. This insiduously creeping Socialism spreads its first tendrils here - with everyone at the table nodding in agreement - why? Because no one at this table is proud of their work. They have no belief in themselves and obviously need the affirmation of others to have 'permission' to own wealth.

However.....and this is where things get tricky and come to today..... it is for thee and not for me! YOU must give, I should not be expected to lose anything - but YOU, YOU are greedy, and vile, and a hoarder, so YOU need to give, whilst I sit back and direct how your money should be spent. Sound familiar? Yeah, you know it does!

[MARTIAL MONK]

Yo Boss. We still here. We is contemplatin'.

[demsux]

Please add me to your ping list.

TIA

[MtnClimber]

Jim Taggert states the following phrase: “”Speaking of progressive policies, Orren” said Taggert, “you might ask yourself whether at a time of transportation shortages.....”

I had thought that the term “progressive” was a recent term adopted by the left, but I have seen it several times. There was also Hank’s brother collecting money for Friends of Global Progress. Does anyone know when progressive started being used as a sort of cover name for collectivism?