Going John Galt

[5711-Marine]

Going John Galt

Do you ever wonder after dealing with all that is going on with the economy and the upcoming election if it's getting to be time to "go John Galt." For those of you who have never read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, the basic theme is that John Galt and his allies take actions that include withdrawing their talents, 'stopping the motor of the world', and leading the 'strikers' (those who refuse to be exploited) against the 'looters' (the exploiters, backed by the government).

Perhaps the partisian politics we are dealing with now is really just a struggle between those of us who believe in productivity, personal responsibility, and keeping government interference to a minimum, and those who believe in the socialistic policies of taking from others, using the government as a watchdog, and rewarding those who overspend, underwork, or are just plain unproductive.

Obama talks about taking from those who are productive and redistributing to those who are not -- or who are not as successful. If success and productivity is to be punished, why bother? Perhaps it is time for those of us who make the money and pay the taxes to take it easy, live on less and let the looters of the world find their own way.

My question to readers is, what are some ways to "go John Galt" (legally, of course)--that is, should productive people cut back on what they need, make less money, and take it easy so that the government is starved for funds, or is there some other way of making a statement?

[Robert Kayland]

Any thread that mentions Atlas Shrugged gets rep from me!

With all the crap and rehash stories Hollyweird keeps churning out, it's very telling that they haven't tackled this magnum opus yet... not even in a mini-series...

Hmmmmm, I wonder why.

[-JD-]

...
My question to readers is, what are some ways to "go John Galt" (legally, of course)--that is, should productive people cut back on what they need, make less money, and take it easy so that the government is starved for funds, or is there some other way of making a statement?

1) There are some that believe very strongly that the Income Tax is not valid therefore payment is not legally required (although filing a return evidently is.) IANAL - The .gov may not agree and if they don't you could be in a difficult situation

2) Get all of your income through capital gains instead of wages or ordinary business profits to eliminate FICA taxes and reduce (at least currently) your Income Tax exposure.

3) Plan you business ventures to be very broad based and plow back receipts into expensible/depreciable equipment. Plow snow - You need a pickup. Do some plumbing -You need a van. Construction - You need a trailer. Landscaping - A TLB (tractor, loader, backhoe). A building to house it all. Guns/Ammo for security?

4) Become friendly with all of your neighbors. Of course barter is claimed to be taxable, but friends helping friends without requirement of return should be safe enough.

Again, Just Ideas - IANAL. Contact your trusted legal and accounting professionals before proceeding on any course of action. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery. May cause dry mouth. ....

Any thread that mentions Atlas Shrugged gets rep from me!
...

Great book but I felt like I kept getting hit over the head with the message repeatedly. It is not like "slow" folks are likely to tackle 1000+ page books.

[Robert Kayland]

Great book but I felt like I kept getting hit over the head with the message repeatedly.

Well, the writer was a woman, after all.

It is not like "slow" folks are likely to tackle 1000+ page books.

Maybe we can commission an abridged "graphic novel" version.

[Chainsaw]

In my mind I went John Galt a long time ago. Don't hold your breath for the movie, they've been trying to make it for 40 years. The last rumor I heard had Angelina Jolie playing Dagny.

[Robert Kayland]

In my mind I went John Galt a long time ago. Don't hold your breath for the movie, they've been trying to make it for 40 years. The last rumor I heard had Angelina Jolie playing Dagny.

The writers/producers are probably stuck on how to PC it up...

Brad Pitt is right in front of their nose as the perfect John Galt, but knowing Hollyweird, they'll do their damnedest to slate Will Smith... or Jeff Goldblum.

[pacodelahoya]

I don't get it...Who is John Galt?

[5711-Marine]

I don't get it...Who is John Galt?

So you did read the book...

[pacodelahoya]

Yes, I especially enjoyed the part when Hank Reardon was on trial and the politicians basically said that laws are not for criminals, they are for the honest people, that there is no profit in honesty, and the only way to profit(for the government and it's lackies) is to turn all men into criminals and to cash in on their guilt.


She was a freakin prophet.