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Barely a day goes by that “Atlas Shrugged” and it’s author, Ayn Rand, aren’t mentioned in the media — either by a column writer noticing Rand’s predictions coming true, a politician or talking head referencing the ideas in the book or a protester holding a sign that reads: “Who is John Galt?”
There’s no mystery as to why. The current economic downturn has thrust government intervention into the private sector like no time since the Great Depression. The economy, it seems, has become the reason for leaders from both parties to enact more government controls in the name of the greater good.
Hence the renewed popularity of “Atlas Shrugged.” Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel fortells a day when, in the name of the “greater good,” government launches ever expanding programs, laws and regulations that wind of bringing society to its knees.
Rand (pictured) has always had quite a following. In 1991, the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club found in a survey that readers of “Atlas Shrugged” ranked it second as the most influential book they’ve read — behind the Bible. Her philosophy of Objectivism — and the theme of “Atlas Shrugged” — explains the morality of rational self-interest, which speaks to our desire to be free to make our lives just that: our own.
Back in January, Stephen Moore wrote in the Wall Street Journal that “Atlas Shrugged” was turning from “fiction to fact.” He pondered:
“If only ‘Atlas’ were required reading for every member of Congress and political appointee in the Obama administration. I’m confident that we’d get out of the current financial mess a lot faster.”
That sparked the idea for this project, atlasforcongress.com. The goal here is to send a copy of “Atlas Shrugged” to every member of Congress and to as many other lawmakers as possible. Sure, all of them might not read the book, but it only takes a few to make a difference (especially in the U.S. Senate).
We’ve set up an Amazon wishlist containing “Atlas Shrugged” for each member of Congress, every state governor and select members of the Obama administration with their mailing addresses included. This way it’s easy to send them a copy of the book, and we can track which members have received it.
During the last year our government has already grossly expanded its role in the private sector — “bailing out” banks, taking control of the auto industry, passing the “stimulus package” — and it promises to expand even more into health care, more bank controls and more.
This is no time for our leaders to be fooled by the idea that capitalism must suffer for the cause of the “greater good.” Make sure our leaders can answer the question: “Who is John Galt?”
