Atlas Shrugged

Philip,
You asked me why I read Atlas Shrugged. When I was in high school, probably in 1968, or 1969 my dad recommended that I read it (in fact I think he challenged me to read it). I did, and I enjoyed the book as a novel. For quite a long time, I did not really realize how much the philosophy of the book had molded my way of thinking. About seven years ago I listened to the book as an audio book, and I could not believe how similar, (almost identical) my thinking is to the philosophy of the book. I cannot imagine that this is pure happenstance. Like any other philosophy, if taken to the extreme, I'm not sure I could accept it. Ayn Rand, as you may or may not know, did not believe in, or, at least had problems with the concept of God. I, personally, cannot take the philosophy that far. But, I do believe that treating the customer well is always in the best interest of a business. Some of our modern day business leaders (WorldCom, Enron, Adelphia, etc.), seem to have forgotten that without customers, their businesses will not exist either. Customers, when given a choice, will always go to the business that provides them with a quality product, and a fair price. Customers do not always go with the cheapest price. I think most customers of any product or service, will go with a company that offers them the greatest balance of cost, quality, flexibility and comfort. In the case of an automobile, the consumer has many options as to make and model, safety features, comfort, accessories and their own budget. Even after one selects the model of vehicle they would like, there are always several different levels of options available. And even then, the customer must decide which dealer to purchase the vehicle from. Eventually, bad business practices, especially towards the consumer will doom a business.

It seems to me, that the Democrat Party is the party that caters to the people who want to be given, without providing anything, and, the party of wealth and income redistribution. In order to do this, they are by definition, the party of big government. Unfortunately, I cannot say that the Republican Party is the party of small government anymore. Over the past six or seven years, they had been spending as fast, or faster than the Democrats! I do believe that's why this past November's voters decided to change the political landscape of Washington, DC. I truly believe that the Republican voters would have come out in greater force, had their party shown any sense of propriety in spending, even with the situation in Iraq. One can only hope that last November's outcome will bring the party back to its roots.

As a contrast to Ms. Rand's philosophy, I do believe in God. And I do believe, that God does see and bless all of us. I have never been one to fret or worry about things over which I have no control. I have always believed that when you do the best that you can, it will be good enough. Maybe I shouldn't say I have always believed that, but since that day (April 29, 1982), when I realized there was very little that I did have control of, I guess my philosophy did change. Some may say I've been lucky to be married to my wife, who has constantly stood by me, and that I was lucky to have worked for a company that was as good to me as Kansas City life has been and continues to be, but I prefer to see that as a positive intervention on the part of God (blessings) in my life. I have told many people that I felt blessed, especially after my diagnosis. I got an opportunity to do some things I probably would not have done, had I not been warned (I'm not sure that's correct word, but for now all have to do) that I could end up as a quadriplegic. We, your mother and I, assessed the situation, and made changes to the way we lived. My wife is a saint. I don't think either of us ever asked "Why us?". I don't know why your mother never asked that question, but I know for myself, that seems to indicate it should be someone else with this problem. Believe me, no one deserves this. So many people do not get the opportunity, like George Bailey, in It's a Wonderful Life, to take advantage of the new opportunities that these difficulties present. I don't know whether my guardian angel earned his wings, but I do think someone was watching over me, and guiding me in my decision-making.

I do not know if all this fits together, but it's all going in this one post!

James A.