Dr. Word says: Get yer Ayn Rand program here! You can't know yer references without yer Ayn Rand program!

by David Safier

Ayn Rand is back! The sales of "Atlas Shrugged" are soaring. Blame Obama and his socialist agenda for bringing her back to life. Who knows, maybe the spike in book sales will help revive the economy.

I've never read "Atlas Shrugged" or much else by Rand other than "Anthem." So if I get this some of this wrong, my excuse is, I'm getting it second hand.

Somewhere at the core of the book is a revolt of the "wealth producers" as a reaction to the socialistic ideology taking over the world, led by a guy named John Galt. They figured if they robbed the world of their expertise, they could bring it to its knees, or back to its senses, or something like that.

Michelle Malkin thinks it's an idea whose time has come. She calls it "Going Galt."

Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) apparently gives his interns copies of "Atlas Shrugged" when they leave, and he's finding the book increasingly relevant.

“People are starting to feel like we’re living through the scenario that happened in ‘Atlas Shrugged,’” said Campbell. “The achievers, the people who create all the things that benefit the rest of us, are going on strike. I’m seeing, at a small level, a kind of protest from the people who create jobs, the people who create wealth, who are pulling back from their ambitions because they see how they’ll be punished for them.”

I wish he'd point out the "achievers" who are voluntarily closing up shop to punish all these commies who have taken over Washington. Looks to me like lots of them are hanging on by their fingernails these days, hoping someone will throw them some of that socialist bailout money.

Our own Goldwater Institute has adopted the banner as well. In yesterday's email titled, "Obamanomics sending America reeling," is the line, "This is truly America's Atlas Shrugged moment -- but it is no time for productive Americans to go on strike." Good for G.I. We need to get all those investment bankers off the picket line and back behind their computers where they can help America get back on its feet again. (Though I'm afraid Ayn Rand would scorn their altruism. I sense a contradiction here.)

Next time you hear an Ayn Rand reference from an economic conservative or libertarian, you'll understand the context. No, please, don't thank me. That's what I'm here for.