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Selfish Americans Go Galt

By Danielle M. Restaino

There is no question that in the last few months the economic crisis in America has hit a

lot of people very hard. Millions have lost their employment, are struggling to buy

groceries for their families, and have lost their homes. Still millions more are justscraping by, working hard to save enough money to pay their bills, mortgages and feed

their families with the always impending fear that it may all fall apart at any moment.

And then there are those who may not be suffering the way these millions are. Who mayhave only to cut back here and there on expenses because they have worked hard over the

course of their lives and have made good decisions and saved money in a responsible

way. While this last group should be applauded for their good sense and decision

making, there is a fraction that seems to take issue with the Presidents attempts to helpthe millions of American citizens who find themselves in crisis right now. I say fraction,

because I am hoping with all of my might that it is not a majority of these people who

resent the fact that they may be called upon in the form of their tax dollars to help their

fellow citizens. We keep hearing from Democrats and Republicans alike that America isthe greatest nation in the world, so surely we would be willing to help one another to

maintain that reputation, wouldnt we?

Maybe not. Atlas Shruggedis a 1957 novel by American author Ayn Rand, wherein the

protagonist John Galt organizes successful people, businessmen and industrialists, todecrease their productivity so as to give less money to the government and in turn stop

those government programs that help those in need. Why is this relevant today? Because

there are some people who believe this type of protest is what needs to be done to stop

the Obama administration from implementing policies that will aid those who have losttheir jobs and homes. Opposition to the measures that have been passed by Congress

thus far to try and stem the financial crisis were no surprise, in fact the debate is thewhole point of a representative democracy. The surprising part is the level of resentmentand anger that has been touted on cable news and around the internet for actually having

to help one another. So much so that people who characterize themselves as successful

now portray the Presidents plans as a punishment. This has led some on the right to callfor successful people to Go Galt in an effort to stop the President and his radical

socialist agenda.

While Im not quite sure just how many of these people have actually read Rands novel,I would venture a guess that its not many. And reflective in that is the fact that while

this protest is central to the storys plot, there are several other philosophical and

political theories Rand comments on that are not being used by Obama critics. While Imnot attempting to review this novel in any way, Ill lastly just say that at the time it was

published it was not well received, being compared to Marxism (how ironic, seeing as

those using it now are trying to combat a second-coming of socialism).

What is found in Rands novel that is consistent with the sentiment of many trying to

revive this concept of Going Galt is hostility towards altruism. This is what seems to

be the saddest part of the entire debate, manufactured as it may be. There is a genuine

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sense of not wanting to help our fellow man, and it seems small and trite at a time like

this. It is understandable that some may feel angry at having to give up a portion what

theyve earned through their own hard work in the form of increased taxes. But the ideaof actually working less, and earning less just to spite our government, and our fellow

Americans is childish and selfish.

Not to mention that those who are talking about this idea are the same group of people

who claim this country is a Christian nation. Now, I happen to think declaring the United

States a Christian nation runs contrary to the idea of religious freedom and inclusion thatwas so important to the Founding Fathers, but thats an entirely different debate. So ok,

Ill play along. I went to twelve years of Catholic school and then four years at a

Catholic university, and I cant seem to recall the part where Jesus tells us to actively

sabotage those who are suffering and are on hard times. If we are truly a nation ofChristians then we should be trying to address issues that are central to that faith, not just

the ones that make for dramatic sound bites and pictures.

Poverty, hunger, and unemployment have increased tremendously since this crisis beganand it only seems logical and responsible for a government to try and help its people stop

the bleeding. And not because this government wants to rob from the rich to give to thepoor in an effort to make people dependant on its huge bureaucracy, but because helping

those who cannot help themselves is the merciful thing to do. Its the responsible thing to

do, and this is what President Obama seems to want to do to make America stronger.This countrys strength comes from its people. Its sad that the efforts to revitalize that

strength are met by opposition based on selfish ideals and promoted by small minded

people who seem to be saying theyve never needed any help in their lives at all. Its true

that perhaps not everyone in this country has made the best financial decisions, but thatsno reason to cast them off now. And if Going Galt is your response to helping your

fellow American, I would say that your success in the face of this crisis has been

accompanied by callousness, and that is not something our nation should be proud of.