A few years ago I read Ayn Rand’s ‘Atlas Shrugged’. It had a powerful impact on me. I read – a lot – but it is the rare book that years later, I still think about. ‘Atlas Shrugged’ is one of those books.
Part of the premise of the storyline is the forced redistribution of wealth from the leaders and entrepreneurs that fuel the economy by way of higher taxes and union demands. And, as the title suggests, ‘Atlas’ shrugs. Those major contributors to the economy become sick of carrying the world, so to speak.
Many points can be argued, and have, about Ayn Rand’s book. But the argument stuck with me and the image of Atlas shrugging inevitably enters my mind when I hear about higher taxes for the upper income earners in our economy.
And these days, with the election around the corner, there’s plenty of talk about income taxes. I vacillate between an Ayn Rand perspective and one that wonders why the hell we have to have a bake sale for the basics at my kids school year in and year out. Maybe higher taxes is the answer or maybe streamlining the bureaucracy and excessive waste is the answer (but that’s another post).
When I saw this video with Warren Buffett it left me wondering. Maybe there is some room to tax the upper income brackets. Hey – I’m open to your comments. Thinking out loud (on the computer screen) a bit so feel free….
