Random Thoughts
Just a few random thoughts…
In Britain, the Conservatives have taken power in Parliament. Conservatives over there are far more liberal than over here, still, it’s an encouraging development. Nicholas Sarkozy in France, Conservatives in power in Parliament, Boris Johnson, first Conservative Mayor of London in thirty years—all good signs. Maybe conservatism is starting to make a comeback of sorts in Europe.
I’m reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. I’m on about page 900, and it’s an interesting book, but really, Rand really isn’t much of a storyteller. I’ve never seen a plot move so slowly and pointlessly—the main characters overcome a crisis, the liberal government creates a ridiculous regulation creating another crisis; the main characters overcome it, on and on and on. And I saw the big “surprise” coming from about page 150, so I didn’t even have that to look forward to. Anyway, for those who have read it, I’m just to the part where the government has unleashed their ultimate weapon, which actually is about twice as impressive as anything the capitalists produced. I’ll have more thoughts on the book when I’m finished with it.
For years, Bill O’Reilly has salivated over the prospect of Hillary coming on his program. Then, when she did go on, she did a great job and probably got a boost. This is one of the strangest elections ever.
It seems that more and more conservatives are praising Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana—Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Malkin spring to mind. He would make a great running mate for McCain, but probably should remain governor of Louisiana for a while longer. In 2012, though, he would be a great GOP nominee.
Apparently, former liberal talk show host and Senatorial candidate Al Franken has gotten into some foe tax troubles, which could threaten his Senate candidacy. His books were some of the first liberal books I read, and I initially thought that there was something to them, till a little googling showed that he didn’t seem to bother with any research at all. His books are mean-spirited and very unfunny (he wrote an entire book basically calling Rush Limbaugh fat; how clever). He is one of the last people I want to see in the Senate.
I’m almost certainly not going to vote for a third party candidate, but if I did, I would probably vote for Bob Barr. He seems less crazy than most third party candidates, and was a decent Congressman. His biggest drawback is that he would probably want to pull troops out of Iraq immediately. Still, for those who won’t vote McCain, he is the best substitute.
UK’s Telegraph tried to rate the top 50 pundits. I’m not sure what kind of methodology was used, but it couldn’t have been a good one—Chris Matthews was ranked number two! Karl Rove was ranked first. Even though they rarely make much sense, I love these lists.
posted by Daniel Ruwe @ 6:19 PM
17 Comments
The Moronsphere
17 Comments:
Wow, didn't I suggest Atlas to you a month or so ago, it took me like 8 months to read it!
And I am very surprised at your lukewarm response to it, I mean of course the directives are ridiculous, but really how else is socialism going to work?
Though The Fountainhead is a much better "story", you are right Daniel. She is not much of a story teller. That makes perfect sense considering she's not so much an author as she is a philosopher. And, it is the philosophy which is the meat of Atlas Shrugged. Yeah it's over the top at some points but when it comes to the regulatory directives from Washington...not really.
I have to say though that we're seeing a similar occurance in Minnesota. A recent $6.8 billion tax increase, a new proposal to rage the minimum wage to around $8.00 an hour, a corporate tax rate of 10%, etc.
I mean seriously do the math. Why would anyone want to run a business here??? So of course we've seen a bit of an exodus in that regard.
But, on the Conservative issues which you mention, you couldn't be more correct. The tide is turning abroad. Maybe it has something to do with what I just mentioned in that the productive class are tired of subsidizing the rest and so the effects are now coming to pass and conservativism is on the move.
Only time will tell.
Oh, and on Franken...despite his shortcomings, he will probably do okay. There is some buzz about this other representative in the state getting a flurry of calls to enter the race but as yet, it hasn't happened.
I'll tell you though, "Republican" senator Norm Coleman isn't doing himself any favors by continually voting like our Democratic Senator on a number of issues. And, he also just came out and flat out said the president was wrong on Ethanol (despite that a whole host of earlier champions of it are beginning to admit it is a bad policy). Go figure I guess, we're an upper mid-west state so he needs the Agriculture vote.
I suppose because he's not getting mine.
He does have a boat load of cash on hand so he's got the advantage there.
Still, I wouldn't rule out Franken. For one, this state voted for Ventura. Secondly, you have to remember, he's "smart enough, good enough, and gosh darnit people like him."
the cold weather does something weird to the people of 8 Billion Lakes.
I have yet to read any Ann's stuff, lack of time the reason. But someday when I am young again I will do so.
Franken is being swiftboated by Michael Brodkorb and his cretinous cronies. For the MN GOP to cast stones at Al for a minor gaffe for which he took full responsibility is the height of hypocrisy. In other words, SOP for the GOP.
That was a weird error on Drudge's part. I thought about correcting him, but I figured his inbox must look like a war zone.
I have no idea where he got the "30 years" idea, but the office of Mayor of London has only been around since 2000. Tony Blair created it, and Livingstone has been the only one.
Not to be confused with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, which is a ceremonial position now. That's what Dick Whittington was.
The overall message I believe from Atlas Shrugged is showing the difference when we let our decisions be ruled by only our hearts vs. when we use our minds alone be the source of our actions. Using our hearts, either for the greater good, or as a means to destroy someone else, Rand shows, are not the proper motivational factors we should employ. Her philosophy is that using one's mind to selfishlessly attain our goals is the way to go.
Me, I think the truth lies somewhere in between.
loved the book..read it when I was 14!
I liked your sensible reaction to Atlas Shrugged. It was a cult book when I was in college (I hear it still is). My best friend joined the "Ayn Rand Club" and almost convinced me to. Too Darwinian for me - the survival of the fittest. It is capitalism without Christianity, based on self-interest, greed.
Another message from Atlas is if my success is because of your failure, that is not really success. The greater good is really best served when we both succeed. But Rand's ideas are that success is also not success if done dishonestly. Here is where she thinks people being honest for religious reasons is wrong, however this is where I differ from Rand. I agree that true success comes from using one's mind and working hard, however I see nothing wrong with interjecting God as my moral compass is doing my business dealings, so that it is fair as well as sucessful.
"It is capitalism without Christianity, based on self-interest, greed."
Self-interest you say? While that is true, your assertion makes some inference of that being a bad thing. But, what needs to be remembered is that when one lives and acts for themself, that is not merely to say that they do so in a physical sense. If my self-interest is to cure homelessness in my neighborhood or to see to it that no child has to go without food and shelter, is that "selfish"?? Is that "un-Christian"???
I don't believe it is in the least. What I do find selfish is and are the sorts of individuals who assert their similar self-interests must become my interests as well.
As for greed, that a man's motivations might be led by money, again infers that this is a bad thing; an evil.
What that assertion implies is that individuals do not have free will or choice.
If a man create, produces, and puts to market a good or service that people want, they have but two choices, they can either purchase and use that good at the price determined (not by the man but rather the market). Or, they can choose not to.
If they opt for the former, and the man gets filthy rich, he is somehow worthy of damnation in today's society.
This damnation at times comes from individuals who suggest that the man keeps all of his money and doesn't make a bigger charitable contribution of sorts.
I believe this is wrong on two counts and Atlas points this out.
A) It infers that this man is selfish but in fact others are selfish in asserting what ought to be done with this man's hard and rightly earned money; and
B) It dismisses the contribution the man has made with respect to the good and/or service that he's provided to the people.
Something else I would add about charity that I believe is that even Jesus would agree that forced charity (socialism) is not real charity, but charity given out of love or desire to help someone is true charity.
So, Daniel, finished the book yet?
I'm also finished--Galt is making his big speech now. I'll write a post soon about the book, as well as one responding to conservative complaints about McCain's ideology.
And your absolutely right, forced charity is not real charity. That is why I oppose most welfare programs--not because the money is going to poor people who haven't earned it, but because it is being forcibly given.
Looking forward to hear what it is you have to say on both counts.
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