Relationship With Society

Throughout the week we have been discussing the relationship between the novel and the current political situation in the United States of America. However, I was not far enough in the book to get a true understanding of the connection. After this week’s selection, I can clearly see what the argument was. Hank Rearden is comparable to the upper class in society. He is an innovator, thinker and businessman who generally thinks with his wallet opposed to his heart (although this changes in the situation with Dagny and the rights to “Magic Metal”. In the situation today, the government is attempting to take the money from the upper class and give it to the lower class for health care. Although in Atlas Shrugged they are not dealing with health care and are dealing with inanimate objects such as steal, the government is attempting to take the large corporation’s (such as Rearden Steal’s) product and give it to other people.

The part of the book that I am very confused about and I struggle to understand is that they stopped issuing patents. Among all other things, innovation and entrepreneurial experiences with a product is what will bring the economy back. It is up to great thinkers, scientists, and other highly respected members of society to try to bring the economy up to a state of steadiness where the nation can thrive as a whole. I also think that it is very strange that all research institutions except for the one that is governmentally run are ordered to be shut down. If the government is seeing all of these companies collapse, then they should allow them to be doing the research and not the government.

However, I am starting to enjoy reading this novel again. The story line is getting better and better as the novel progresses. This is mainly due to the fact that we have an opportunity to see both the business and personal lives of each of the characters. Including the affair between Dagny and Hank was genius on Rand’s behalf. It truly allows us to see Hank progress as a person throughout the book. At the beginning, he was completely business oriented and the only thing that he loved was steal. Now, he is even risking his relationship with his wife and made a huge financial decision to benefit his relationship with Dagny opposed to benefitting his pocket. 

I encourage everyone to look at this video of Ayn Rands opinion of the United State's government back in the day. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5jWCAms2p8