“Did you really think that we want those laws to be
observed?” said Dr. Ferris. “We want them broken.
You’d better get it straight that it’s not a bunch of
boy scouts you’re up against - then you’ll know that
this is not the age for beautiful gestures. 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.”
—Ayn Rand, *Atlas Shrugged*
Perfect. How could I have forgotten?
Game. Point. Match!
Guess I should have scrolled down. You beat me by almost 30 minutes.
Aye. Quote of the day award.