Going Galt

I've been reading Dr. Helen, Girl Misogynist, for over a year, so this Going Galt notion is an old one for me -- not to mention I teach undergraduates.  If you teach nineteen year old boys, you can't escaping hearing about Atlas Shrugged, John Galt, the way-coolness of Ayn Rand, yap yap yap, until you want to stick chopsticks in your own ears just to make it stop.

Also, I read that shit when I was thirteen myself, you know.  I too was a libertarian, briefly. But, you know, I grew out of it.

Why can't these folks?

Or Michelle Malkin?

You live in a country, you're defended by its armed forces, you drive on its roads and cross its bridges, you're protected by its firefighters and police force, you benefit from its social services network (and yes, you do -- even if you don't have kids yourself, even if you yourself have been lucky enough not to need medicare or food stamps, you benefit because other people's children get educated in the public school system, other people get fed and cared for, and therefore aren't roaming the streets in savage hoards attacking your big shiny SUV, you benefit because you don't have to pay a private security force to guard your armed compound, tool): you use the beaches and the national parks, you live in a neighborhood where clean safe water is piped to your house which was built to spec and you shop in markets where the food is (almost always) safe.

All of these things have costs.  They are paid for by tax dollars.  Who do you think will pay for them?  Santa?  Mr. Jesus?  Crap.  You people are supposed to be adults.  You live here.  Pony the fuck up.

Also, what Matt says here.

Please, Dr. Helen and Mr. Dr. Helen -- would you both Go Galt?  Please?  B/c you know what?  Lots and lots and lots of young academics out there need work.  Honest.