Freedom: Personal Responsibility

This Friday, Atlas Shrugged The Movie, opens up in theaters across the country. Here is one of those films that was self financed by an individual in an effort to get the message out there. The total cost, of which is only the first installment in what is presumed to be a 3 installment series is $20 million. This is a not a tidy sum compared to the common Hollywood film. However, since this message is one that the Hollywood elite deems useless, this cannot be considered one of their films. In essence, it was made by outsiders.

Personal Responsibility

Ayn Rand is one of the 20th centuries greatest minds. Her writings still are studied to this day. She has influenced the beliefs of millions over the last 60 years. Atlas Shrugged is perhaps her most famous work. While it was a fictional novel, we see much of what she wrote about playing out today in the Western world.

Rand was a proponent of personal responsibility. She detested dogma much in the same way I do. Her belief system moved her to the Atheist end of the spectrum. Religion held little value whatsoever in her opinion. Of course, the handouts of the government ranks up there with the Crusades in terms of abominations. She felt that only a true society could flourish where individuals made it based upon their own accord. Sadly, this is not the America we see today.

Since I am a proponent of freedom, I feel that the writings of Ayn Rand are worthwhile. She hits upon some fundamental issues which we collectively failed to ensure. Personal liberty was one of her highest values. This is something that we have tossed aside in favor of the Kool-Aid the politicians feed us. Many will point to Barack Obama as evidence of this. However, George W. Bush was no better. He forced the Patriot Act down people's throats in the name of "The War On Terror". Different part, same result.

Freedom Isn't Free

There is a price for freedom. It does not come free. The lives that were sacrificed (and still are) to preserve our values in armed conflicts over the years show how high the price truly is. Of course, not all of us need to go to this extreme. But, we do need to stand up and contribute.

America is a nation of lazy, stupid, immature, and excessive people. While many will think this characterization harsh, look around. You will see I am correct. We are a culture of mindless boobs who watch American Idol on our big screen t.v.s which were financed along with everything else we have. We are the 'give me' generation who wants everything served up to us on a silver platter. Our obesity rate is approaching 60% because people are too lazy to get off their butts and exercise. It is far easier to be a slave to the couch then to implement free will. This is the status of the average American.

Of course, we see this in people's voting patterns. They cast their ballots for the person who is going to give him or her the most. We are a nation of handout with recent reports stating that 1/3 the country receives a check from the government. This is hardly the world that Rand saw in her visions. Her belief system laid in the opposite direction. She felt that people had a responsibility to take care of themselves. Productive achievement was man's noblest causes. This idea excludes the couch potato crowd.

Slavery Is Upon Us

150 years ago the first shots of the Civil War were fired. This was the costliest war in terms of American lives ever fought (it makes sense since every casualty, no matter which side, was an American). Many believe this war was fought over slavery. It was not. Instead, the Civil War was a battle of power. The South simply did not want the North dictating how it was operating. The issue of slavery was a rallying cry. Power (and money) was at the core.

Today, we are losing the war of slavery as a nation. The country is in hoc to foreign countries to the tune of trillions. At the same time, we are dependent upon foreign dictatorships for our energy while siphoning off trillions more from our pocketbooks. I already mentioned how we stand on the individual level with our excessive habits. Overall, America is fat but about to be put on a very low calorie diet.

I suggest everyone take the initiative to get his or her house in order. Start with your financial situation. Stop being a slave to your creditors by spending like a teenager at the mall with mommy's credit card. Only purchase those items which are absolutely needed. Of course, this entails learning the difference between a need and a want. Those who believe that an IPhone is a need are way off the reservation.

Ayn Rand spoke as a prophet. Naturally, I will emphatically state that she is not some God to be revered. Her insights were based upon observations of governmental systems that operated for centuries. However, her vision of the state of America is eerily true. Today, we are at the crossroads. We must decide who was are and what we stand for. Most people will not do this. Instead, they will follow blindly right off the edge of a cliff. The powers that are will ensure this. Remember this idea the next time you believe that it is too difficult to step out on your own and question your life. That decision might be costly.

I encourage everyone to hit up this movie this weekend. If you want more information, check out the official website.

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