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11-28-2007, 9:10 PM bperry Joined on 11-29-2007 Posts 2 I need help on this essay topic! My english class just finished reading Atlas Shrugged.  I really enjoyed the book but I need some ideas of this essay question. The question:  Is the current economic and political systems in the United States more like John Galt's or the looter's ideals? I need some examples from the book and from current situations in the the U.S. to help get me started.  Thanks for all your help.    Report

12-08-2007, 10:59 AM Zip Joined on 11-26-2007 Posts 4 Re: I need help on this essay topic! Read the book.    Report

01-24-2009, 9:07 AM duffer Joined on 01-24-2009 Posts 2 Re: I need help on this essay topic! bperry you REALLY, REALLY, missed the point of the book    Report

01-24-2009, 7:31 PM tjd601 Joined on 01-25-2009 Posts 1 Re: I need help on this essay topic! It honestly sounds like you haven't read the book. Without providing specific examples from the book, my guess would be that 90+ percent of people fall into the looter category.    Report

02-17-2009, 1:04 AM mike Joined on 02-06-2009 Posts 13 Re: I need help on this essay topic! Hi bperry In the book the characters such as James Taggart, Wesley Mouch, Dr. Ferris, Fred Kinnan, Mr. Thompson represent the "interventionist" type of character. Those that believe they have the right to pass laws allowing the government to regulate industries and levy taxes to "re-distribute" wealth. This is social engineering and never works but sadly people will always vote for whatever politician promises to put more money in their pocket (regardless of the source of the wealth used). John Galt and the striking industrialists represent the innovaters in society ie the creaters of wealth. These are the people that truly move society forward. When you look at the current situation in the US, try to pinpoint examples of government regulation that subsidise industries and then exact their pound of flesh by regulating and excessively taxing that industry. Also, when you listen to the words of politicians on both sides of the political spectrum, the idea of "self sacrifice" and "national interest" etc (ie society has greater rights than individuals) seems to continually surface. It shouldn't be too hard to find examples of speeches, bills, regualtions etc wher the government interferes in production and individualism. As you proceed you will probably be more and more alarmed at how much the US has changed in a few decades. good luck Cheers, Mike    Report

03-15-2009, 6:46 PM galtsgulcher Joined on 03-15-2009 Posts 47 Re: I need help on this essay topic! Ni tj, My guess would be closer to about 12% looters and around 70% moochers. In our state, one out of every eight people works for the government in a public employee union. The state has just implemented the largest tax hike in the nations history, has a bond rating that is in the junk catagory, and will still have an 8 billion dollar deficit in June when the fiscal year ends. And in our city, public education consumes more than all of the other budget items combined... and the dropout rate is 50%. The leftist moochers and their socialist transfer of wealth enabling looters who service their needs are now an unstoppable political force that has bankrupted the state like a little kid pulling an old heavy television off a dresser and onto themselves... ...and I'm ~perfectly~ content to simply step aside and watch it fall, because it's ~not~ going to take me down with it. Take Care, Greg    Report

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