Government Regulations

Throughout the novel, the constant government regulations set on the economy provides the reader with numerous examples of how it is unbeneficial to society. Through the Fair Share act, equalization of opportunity bill, and numerous other governmental limitations on the economy, it is hard to say that the government’s job is to help its society grow and prosper. It is doing the exact opposite!

It frustrates me how Dagny and Hank are the only businessmen that seam to understand what is best for society. Ellis Wyatt is gone, Ken Danagger is gone, and numerous other businesses around the nation are gone because of governmental limitations on the output of the nations largest industries. In the attempt to distribute the wealth between suppliers, the government has seized any space left for the economy to expand. Hank Rearden’s metal business has the power to keep the economy going, however, due to limitations by the government, it is not allowed under legal conditions to supply the metal to all of its demanders, leaving projects unfinished, and bills unpaid.

The economy runs best with no interaction from the government. A free private market will allow suppliers to invest in what will earn them profit, and by doing so will be able to supply products to the consumers who will then invest in their own small businesses and keep the flow of money alive. Without the free flow of money, certain sectors of the economy are left with no supply, which leaves them with no other option other than to go out of business and seek other means to acquire a living. The government is responsible for all the bankruptcies involved in the novel; however, the majority of the public blames the rich businessmen for not sharing the wealth. This situation is ironic because it is as a result of the attempt of government to enforce sharing the wealth that people are going out of business.

The government is only concerned with getting what they want for an exchange for something else.  This is why Oren Boyle, for example, is in good terms with his business and the government, since he complies with all of Washington’s wants and gets exclusive  “VIP” deals from them, even though he does not have the best steel in the market. Hank’s attitude toward all of this mess has got me eager to know what will happen towards the end of the book.