I can't seem to stop posting. Too many things rolling around up there. I would like to clear up one thing about the views I've been expressing. To those people that have met the 'Galter' of the group, I'm not it. John Galt is one of the best characters in literature (no not the best ever), and "Atlas Shrugged" has seen a huge revival recently. One thing that I want to make crystal clear... the pendulum can't swing too far in either direction.
O'Bama's near socialist movements are scary to me. But not all that much scarier than letting big business run rampant and unchecked. Just like the fundamentalist christians scare the crap out of me, about as much as the Islamic fundamentalists and over the top atheists. Moderation is key, and common sense is a necessity.
If you haven't read "Atlas Shrugged", you should. Just like if you haven't seen a Michael Moore film, you should. Watch some Joel Osteen, than go rent "Religulious" by Bill Mahr. Take the extremes in (aka Fox news than flip to any other channel) and than figure out that somewhere in the middle is reality.
The quote "Get the hell out of my way!" as John Galt moves aside to show the tv cameras that he has a gun in his ribs, is one of the best moments ever. But seeing what unchecked stupidity with American banks, mortgage companies, and automobiles is the sobering factor. The larger fact I take from the theme of "Atlas Shrugged" is that of Henry Reardon and Dagny Taggart. I kind of wish they had pulled it off.
Just because you're a CEO doesn't make you one of the individuals that hid in the mountains. Just like if you're middle or lower class, you aren't a cretin of the lowest depth. The issues people take with that element of the novel have a valid point. I however take the value of work and motion, the production of quality goods. Whether that be art, raw materials, or services, doesn't matter. You find something you do and you do it the best. If someone beats you at it, tip your hat and try again.
The attitude of people that assume all successful people are unscrupulous and have cheated to get ahead, 'because I work so hard and I can't get ahead' are just brainless to me. Maybe they work harder? Maybe they work smarter, not harder? Maybe they've had some luck? Or, maybe they were a rich kid and had everything handed to them. Either way, you don't know, and not every successful individual falls into one, and only one category.
Just like how wellfare is a wonderful service that can help people through rough times. But there are those who use it to there advantage and drain the system. It creates learned helplessness and doesn't reward effort. There was a time that it greatly assisted my situation. It was used, saved financial disaster, than was disposed of. That's what its for. Not to live on, but to help people through tough periods.
Call me a 'Galter', but having people fail through effort is better than failure without any attempt. And quite honestly, why should we pay for those individuals? Because the government says so? Because it's our civic duty? Bull Shit!
I will happily pay for programs that are implemented well. I will try my best to be the best at what I do. I'll gladly help anyone that falls, but through their own effort. And anyone else, I don't really care if you make it or not.
"Life is neither fair, nor unfair... it's indifferent." - Ani DiFranco
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