“I pledge by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.”
John Galt, Atlas Shrugged
People are upset, bitter, and grasping for any promises of hope that they can find. Their desperation is understandable; something is horribly wrong.
Individuals who value character, morality, integrity and reason are left with few heroes. Those who support economic liberty are left watching most of the world damn freedom as the cause of a “crisis.” Even those who typically support freedom have turned their backs on its cause.
But John Galt has the answer and can tell us why we are suffering.
John Galt is a fictional character found in Ayn Rand’s epic novel, Atlas Shrugged. The story of Atlas is outrageously similar to what is happening in the world today, and was predicted to take place if humanity continued to emphasize sacrifice, condemn greed and abandon reason. The story even tells of a financial crisis caused by faulty loans.
In the story, political leaders rise to power by ignoring all analysis and reasoning. The topic is not about policies specifically, but about vague “concepts” like “love” and “mercy” and “selflessness.” Logic is seen as cold and too harsh. The mind is seen as one way to truth — the “heart” is seen as the best way. By “heart” what is meant is actually “whim.”
In order to achieve their values, they elect leaders who promise to take from the “greedy” and give to the “needy.” Due to these government restrictions, the financial institutions and the economy begin to slow down and crumble. To compensate, the government passes more restrictions.
In the midst of the economic collapse, a small minority of heroic business leaders, engineers and other workers try to hold the entire economy on their backs. They are hated, mocked, insulted and finally their money is stolen. They are told to “stop being selfish.” They are told that they are “greedy.” They are damned for their creation and achievement.
John Galt is a mysterious character in the book. I would tell you more, but I wont. You must read the book. It’s changing lives, and will give you insight as to what is actually happening around you. Atlas Shrugged
