Atlas Shrugged

Just watched this trailer, it looks ok I guess and I'll probably watch the movie but am still not sure. Personally I've always wanted to read Atlas Shrugged but have never been able to muster up starting it. I can blame not having enough time but in reality we all know that it's just laziness. With not much exposure to Ayn Rand apart from skimming through what there is on wikipedia, I think I will - in the near future - develop a keen interest and look more into the nature of her work. From said brief skimmings she seems reasonable and her thoughts on philosophy are certainly easy to agree with in some respects, particularly those in relation to the pursuit of happiness, however I question the purpose of her writings and that I guess is what I'll come to learn in the following weeks. What do you guys think?

My Car

I did say initially that I would post about random garbage sometimes so here we go; my car is frustrating me beyond belief. Broke down on the highway, got towed to a mechanic who "fixes" it and then it works for 2 days after which it doesn't start. Get it towed back to the mechanic and he takes a look at it but can't find a problem, tells me to take it to an auto-electrician as it's probably a wiring problem. Somehow the car magically turns on as soon as I try to show him the problem - I give it a few more tries and every time I turned the key it turned on perfectly. So I decide to drive home thinking all is well, so far so good. The next day (today) I turn the key and it won't start. SIGH! Guess I'll have to take it back tomorrow... hoping I won't have to pay for a tow.

How much taxation?

Obviously to pay for government services there needs to be taxation. Everyone chipping in their bit to pay for the good of everyone else - great right? Yes. But the 'perfect' level is unknown and will probably remain unknown indefinitely. A progressive tax system whereby the highest income earners pay more tax than lower income earners is the norm these days, but is it fair? We are all obtaining the services rendered by the military - safety/protection - and we all get the same amount. Why is it then that someone who works harder (not always true, ignore that for the moment) than another should be forced to pay more for the same thing? Some would call it discrimination, possibly even stealing, most ignore it and take it as the norm.

I'm not advocating for a less progressive tax system, infact as part of the lower-middle class I benefit due to its existence, I'm merely asking you to question how you see the tax system as a whole and why it's one of the only places where discrimination is not only accepted but encouraged. The metaphor of Democracy being two wolves and a sheep deciding on what to have for dinner rings true.

Response to the Free Market

I always planned on writing a post to follow the previous one but wanted to see what other people thought first. I have to agree, when it comes to services that regular people are unable to obtain themselves without being exploited such as military, police, etc the government has the responsibility to help out everyone. The difficulty arises in determining what services people need, some would say that public schooling is one of the most important rights an individual has, others might say the opposite; this applies to many things with arguably the most important (at least in current discussion) being healthcare. Let us know what you think below.

The Free Market

"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."
Adam Smith

Each person taking care of themselves, ensuring that they achieve the best possible outcome for themselves naturally creates the best outcome overall. Government intervention aims at helping people out, but in reality only "helps" them in the short run by delaying the problem, and screws them over in the long run. Government funded projects are inherently inefficient because, unlike in a private business, there is not enough risk taken on by the person in charge and not only that, but the reward is lacking if the person does a good job opposed to a mediocre one.

First Post!

Hi everyone I just started blogging after hearing how fun it could be, this will be a mix of my thoughts on politics and philosophy but also any random stuff I feel like talking about at the time!