"Atlas Shrugged", by Ayn Rand, was written in 1957. This 1200 page novel depicts a situation whereby the productive class, often demonized by the political class, slowly removes itself from an increasingly socialistic society. Predictably, this society slowly unravels into chaos. How prescient was Rand? Do we have so little confidence in ourselves and our children's abilities that we can’t succeed without government direction, intervention and subsidies? It’s not too late to choose freedom over dependence, earned rewards over entitlement and personal responsibility over collective rights. The two editorials below use the Atlas Shrugged analogy to make their points. Here are the links:
"When will Atlas Shrug?" http://townhall.com/content/bf29c217-785e-49d3-a2fc-f44d661f7683
"John Galt Calls on Atlas to Strike" http://townhall.com/content/6b1a78bc-1501-448f-88ff-37018df3f238
Genesis of the "NO" Logo
In history there have been two basic forms of social organization: collectivism and individualism. In the 20th and 21st century, collective variations have included socialism, fascism, Nazism, and communism. Under collectivism, a ruling class of “intellectuals”, bureaucrats, politicians and/or social planners decides what people want or what is “good” for society and then uses the coercive power of the State to regulate, tax and redistribute wealth in an attempt to achieve their desired objectives. Individualism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence and responsibility. It embraces opposition to controls over the individual when exercised by the state. The Preamble to our Constitution makes it plain that all power rests originally with the people, as individuals.
The “O” within the circle represents collectivism in its various forms. The “N” represents an emphatic repudiation of collectivism. The red, white and blue circles encompassing the “NO” are emblematic of our Republic. It is the responsibility of the individuals in an engaged and enlightened republic to limit the influence of the government, especially one that attempts to wield power outside the boundaries delineated by the Constitution.
The “O” within the circle represents collectivism in its various forms. The “N” represents an emphatic repudiation of collectivism. The red, white and blue circles encompassing the “NO” are emblematic of our Republic. It is the responsibility of the individuals in an engaged and enlightened republic to limit the influence of the government, especially one that attempts to wield power outside the boundaries delineated by the Constitution.
