Atlas Shrugged— The Answer to ‘Economic Ignorance’

Note: This article was first published in Manila Times: Click here for the actual story.

IS free-market capitalism already dead? With the enduring global financial crunch that recently triggered massive

A must read book for those who love Life...

government intervention, most people would say “yes.” But for modern-day Objectivists inspired by Ayn Rand, a Russian-born American novelist and philosopher who died in 1982, free-market capitalism never exists in any country in the world— not today and even in the last half-a-century.

In her magnum opus entitled Atlas Shrugged, a 1,200-page book published in 1957 and now Amazon’s number 1 bestseller, Ayn Rand clearly delineated the difference between free-market capitalism and statism. The book, which centers on the striking question— “Who is John Galt,” tells what happens in case of massive government intervention.

John Galt, one of the heroes of Atlas who invented a great motor that generates electricity out of static energy, vowed to drain the brains of the world by leading an unusual strike after the government issued regulatory laws that not only choke business, but also disregard individual liberties. For 12 years, a number of great industrialists and business tycoons disappeared after being recruited by John Galt and his two best friends, Francisco D’Anconia, an heir to a great wealth, and Ragnar Danneskjöld, the antithesis of Robinhood.

Sales of Atlas peaked during the first four months of 2009, making it the most read book in the US today. People at Ayn Rand Institute credited this surge in the sales of Atlas to Washington, which issued socialist economic policies that include bail-out plans and stimulus packages to save financially troubled banks and auto companies at the expense of American taxpayers. Amid the global economic crunch, everybody seems interested in getting a copy of Atlas.

Most people see parallelism between the events in Atlas and the current global financial turmoil that severely hit developed countries like the US, Great Britain, France, Australia, Germany, among others.

So what happens in case of excessive government regulation? The answer is clearly illustrated in Atlas—market socialism would lead to the exodus of real capitalists who cherish individual rights and freedom from economic

The Tyranny of the Anti-Population Bill

In a free society, no one must be sacrificed in the name of “common good…”

Can the government legislate population?

The staunch supporters of the Reproductive Health bill authored by some communist politicians in Congress peddled a number of altruistic grounds and rationalization to ensure the passage of their socialist proposal. Some of their grounds are the following: a) to provide the needed reproductive health care services for women; b) to help the poor; and c) to curb the alleged population explosion in the country.

On its face value, the bill seems to address a number of social problems in the country so its proponents and fanatic supporters believed that it must be enacted into law. They have been doing their very best to make this socialist legislation acceptable to the people and to our politicians who also have been giving their best to ensure their victory in the upcoming May 10 national polls. Well, who doesn’t want freebies? In the name of women and poor people, the bill’s proponents, along with the passionate anti-population advocates, have been urging the government to give them a break, at least during this election period. Sounds good!

Now before we get blown away by their socialist and nice-to-hear altruist platitudes, it is important to look at the original version of the bill passed and deliberated in the Lower House.

What Makes a Nation Great?

It’s not charity or altruism that makes men and women great; it is their selfish dedication to do what they think is right and moral, and their intransigent conviction to hold on to their moral principles and rational ideals. — The Vincenton Post

In my previous blog I stated the following:

A few great leaders in history like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and the Founding Fathers of the United States all had sense of pride and purpose because they believed in the importance and power of ideas. In 1783, George Washington, the first President of the United States, was called the “greatest man in the world” by King George III for not perpetuating his stay in power. Jefferson, who wrote the greatest document on earth- the Declaration of Independence that not only liberated America from Great Britain, but also led to propagation of the value and essence of liberty and individual rights throughout the world- adhered to the philosophy of Aristotle that “man is an end in himself.” Yes, America became the greatest country on earth because it held the right idea- the idea that man has inalienable rights, and that these rights may only be respected and protected under a proper social system- Capitalism. Individual rights are incompatible with communism, fascism, or any form of collectivism.

History has it that every fascist government (ruled by a fascist dictator and his cronies) and every socialist/communist regime (ruled by a mystic dictator who governed under a false premise of equality of the proletariat) failed and only caused unimaginable devastation and death because of an evil idea- the idea that man is the means to the ends of others. America achieved its unparalleled, incomparable success in human history because of the idea conceived by its great Founding Fathers- the idea that man is an end in himself, as well as the noble concepts of reason, individualism, and capitalism. Let me state here that America, at least during its early years, was founded upon the philosophy of Aristotle. This is the power of philosophy and idea. Idea is more powerful than a cabal of fully armed men. We have to remember that both Soviet Russia and Maoist China, which caused the death of about 200 million people combined, had been founded on the philosophy of about ten philosophers and thinkers of the last two centuries. We all have the time, means and opportunity to learn from history, and I think it would be unforgivable- it would be the greatest sin a rational man could ever commit- if we Filipinos allow this same horrible mistake to happen in our country.

Libertarian Mysticism Versus Liberty

Context-dropping is a form of dishonesty and not merely a type of “intellectual laziness…”

God knows how I reject this evil advocacy...

I have just encountered a post by a dishonest Libertarian-mystic from the Filipinos for Ron Paul Facebook group. I say it is dishonest because this guy claimed to have read perhaps a few works of Ayn Rand yet he still came up with a total distortion of the latter’s view and philosophy. I say this guy is a Libertarian-mystic because he claims to have embraced the ideals of the anarcho-capitalism faction of Libertarianism, but at the same time advocates for the “restoration of union of Church and State.” Yes, I’m not making this up. In fact, as proof of this statement, this Libertarian-mystic created a Facebook group called “Catholics for the Restoration of Union of church and State” in which he asserts that the “establishment of a state religion [is] often confused,” and that the “Catholic Church supports neither a theocracy nor a state church.”

But before I go to that dishonest assertion of this Libertarian-mystic, let me state here verbatim his rationalization of his advocacy to bring back this country to the rule of the fat friars from 15^th century up to the end of the 18^th century. This Libertarian-mystic states:

“An establishment of religion is the addition of a moral creed by which to judge the laws and restrict public officials from increasing power by sanctioning anything they want. It is a common misconception among citizens that it is the duty of the State to uphold morality and punish vice. That obligation belongs to the individual Catholic as set by God and may not be usurped by the State primarily because the State is composed of individuals. However, the maintenance of law and order cannot succeed without appeal to a higher standard, an inner morality defining good and evil. Government cannot legislate morality. It has tried and failed.”

Avatar’s Pandora is a World of Mysticism and Death

The dream world of modern-day mystics...

James Cameron’s very recent blockbuster Avatar undeniably aroused the imagination of most people, particularly the Liberals, the hippie Leftists or Socialists, and the multicultural and environmental relativists. However, I’m one of a very few people who had a very little interest to see this bankable movie. I tried but failed after learning that I had to make a reservation at the IMAX theater in Mall of Asia just to catch it the next day. I had to give up. I had to kiss 3-D avatar goodbye, with pleasure.

I read a few reviews of the film, including that very funny Libertarian analysis by anarcho-capitalist Atty. Stephan Kinsella. This loudest advocate of anarcho-capitalism titled his review “Avatar is Great and Libertarian.” But of course! It has to be… hmmm… great and Libertarian… according to a Libertarian point of view. Yes, it has to be, considering the undefined contradictions of the Libertarian movement.

Kinsella writes: “…the plot is about property rights. In particular, the property rights of the Na’vi, in an established tree-city that they have clearly homesteaded.” Yeah right!

A Filipino columnist also wrote the following about Avatar:  “After watching Avatar “the film,” one of my daughters remarked how she wished she could live in Pandora, the earth-sized planet inhabited by slender humanoids known as the Na’vi, who lived in harmony with Nature. We all chimed in agreement.”

I remember this is what I posted on my Facebook status, along with the article’s link: “Now wonder…”

Does Capitalism Produce Slavery, Monopoly, and Unearned Wealth?

A blog commenter asked me the following questions:

So how do you answer socialists who say that capitalism can’t exist without subjugation of native people? Didn’t we form the US that way?

I think it’s a good question, and one I can’t answer–what entitles a man to own a mine or a forest, and from whom did he purchase it?

Also, as a pharmacist, I can tell Jeff that the FDA has been infiltrated by corporate interests–drug companies are helping to write policy that maintains monopolies and to get worthless/dangerous drugs approved for sale in the US.

The problem with government is that it is corruptible and corrupted.

I’m a new ardent fan of Objectivism and Rand. I’m reading “The Virtue of Selfishness” and really enjoying it. Also enjoying old footage on YouTube of Rand on Donahue, and also some of the old Milton Friedman tv specials that feature young Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams as debaters. Just terrific!

First, I’m not an economist, but let me try to answer your questions as objective and clear as possible.

You asked: “So how do you answer socialists who say that capitalism can’t exist without subjugation of native people? Didn’t we form the US that way?”

This is Tantamount to CHILD ABUSE!!!

• DISCLAIMER: I’m publishing this blog to remind the supporters of every presidential candidate or any candidate running for public office to please keep their cool. Now let me tell you that I don’t think that any political candidate in his right mind would sanction the disturbing photo below. I don’t think that they would go down to such a disgusting level to smear the reputation of their opponents.
  

I’m not a Noynoy Aquino supporter, but I have to admit really I admire his sister Kris for being a great TV host and an exciting actress. I’m a big fan of the best television host and the most popular icon in the entertainment industry today. But politics is different from entertainment. Yes, Noynoy is not my bet for the presidency. In fact, I’ve been campaigning for his defeat, along with the rest of the presidential candidates. But I think what I just saw on Facebook is an affront to reason, sanity, and justice. It was an act that is totally indefensible. It is utterly immoral, improper, and even illegal to drag this innocent kid who doesn’t even know the word “politics” into this ongoing political farce and be used as a smear campaign material against his uncle even if the confessed motive is to remind the people of the so-called injustice committed by a certain political clan in the past. Many critics are using the Luisita issue to discredit the Aquino family, but what people don’t know is that Kris can even surpass the wealth of her parents because she’s undeniably a very hardworking and intransigently brilliant and brave woman.

What really drives most irrational critics is envy and their hatred of the good for being the good. I strongly believe that a persevering woman like Kris Aquino, who’s the best avatar of a CAPITALIST WOMAN in the country, doesn’t deserve this abusive, unfeeling treatment of her youngest son. This woman earned her success no matter what the flaws of her ancestors. And the kid, yes, leave him alone!

This is an election issue and I think it is an insult to justice to put an innocent child in bad light who’s not even aware of what his ancestors did before he was born.  Like I said to the person who posted the photo below, to penalize or put an innocent kid in bad light for something that his ancestors might have committed in the past is a mockery of justice.

They say pictures speak a thousand words. See these photos for yourself. Now I’m posting this blog to warn some people from resorting to dishonest or irrational attack. By the way, Vincenton Post is the Facebook Account of my blog.

The following screen shots below show my actual Facebook conversation with the person who posted this unsavory photo of Kris’ baby.

The offensive photo of Kris' baby that's really disturbing...

Gibo Teodoro’s Marshall Plan and his “Nanny State” Politics

A good leader is one who honestly believes in this famous motto of Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest Founding Fathers of the United States: “Government works best when it governs least.”

Will he double the size of the government?

Lights, camera, action!

The most-awaited election engine has just started, and the entire Filipino nation is now eager to bid incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo goodbye.

Less than 100 days in the run up to the May 10 elections, our presidential candidates, along with their political allies, have been very busy courting the voters’ attention, promising next-to-impossible political, economic, and social platforms and agenda, and gaining the support of our country’s demagogues and “king-makers.”

One might say that it’s easy to fool voters in this country that is never founded on the right philosophy. Since the Filipino nation lacks intellectual leadership, it can be likened to a ghost ship floating aimlessly amidst turbulent waters. It’s no surprise that every presidential candidate has been busy spouting vague generalities, welfare statist proposals, sickening contradictions, and good-to-hear promises so to fool the people. Yes, all the presidential candidates are offering to up the country’s level of welfarism or nanny-statism. However, the most offensive part of this political farce is that sad, nauseating fact that the people are applauding these statist politicians and even goading them to push for more welfarist political promises. This is normal to a country that embraces a culture of mediocrity. What the people don’t know is that they are asking for their own enslavement and the destruction of this country.