Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for March 01, 2014

Must have just read the kid’s version of “Atlas Shrugged.”-Gave great deal of thought before posting the above comment. As a rule, I try to avoid political natured posts on C&H and I advise others to do the same.This strip however spoke to the philosophy that screams Ayn Rand so I felt my post is appropriate.

You forgot that you have to walk back, Calvin?

@Calvin

Good point…

Calvin sounds like my 8th grade math teacher, who said she never gave As in class because “nobody ever gave me anything.” In those days, grades were earned, so her logic was way off. I heard the same from an ESL teacher I used to work with: “If a student gets a perfect paper they shouldn’t be in my class, they should be in a higher one.” Nice way to encourage people to study, there, dummy.

So, you’re foregoing the shoveling fee, Calvin?

bebefit for everyone

Calvin as an adult ?

http://youtu.be/Yju3MsNttuw

In simplest terms: Calvin isn’tg getting paid to clean the front walk(He’s getting no benefit from shoveling). I don’t either but it is my sidewalk(another min 4 inches today and tonight) ! !

I hope you have to go to the bathroom in a hurry, Calvin.

Ayn Rand was definitely political, although NOT “Republican”. (She was Russian, and didn’t believe in socialism or communism). She believed that everyone should do their very best at what they do and benefit from their efforts. She believed in a free market system where people could excel and rise at their own best rate without the interference of government or social activists. That doesn’t mean they would actively prevent others from benefiting. I think that if you do your very best at whatever it is you do, then others will naturally be served by your outstanding efforts.

@Nabuquduriuzhur: my reply button is not working, so I have to just address you this way. I have been reading your comments for quite some time, noting the errors or modern myths you sometimes pass off as fact, noting your expertise in various areas and your seemingly vast experience. I have held my tongue mostly. However, this time I must speak because you have shown yourself to have no idea what you are talking about. I have a degree in journalism (as well as three other degrees). Let’s start off with a few basics. Virtually all journalism majors have at least one other major because the journalism schools insist on their students having areas of expertise rather than simply know how to write. That’s why so many journalists have degrees in science, business, political science, for example. The reason we have professional journalists is because not all news is created equal – because nobody can sort through all of the events in a day and figure out what’s important, what’s fluff, what’s a red herring and what’s pure fabrication. As the internet so readily shows us, anybody can put anything out there and proclaim it to be the truth. Professional journalism is all about fact-checking. And while they do not always get it right, they do a heck of a lot better than the average joe. Of course, it was better when the news outlets were run by journalists instead of businessmen who only saw dollars. They stripped down news divisions to bare bones operations. But I’d still trust them over some blog – and certainly over some commenter on a comic strip site.

you don’t do hard work Calvin not to offend you just true.

And yet he’s willing to shift a lot more snow for his snowmen dioramas!

" “Atlas Shrugged” is a long-winded rationalization for people who want to be stingy and greedy."Perfect for the modern “conservative”.

Of course, those who help themselves to other people’s money via the power of the State aren’t being greedy, are they?

I wonder if his mother is thinking the same thing as she is preparing supper?

Too much of the “news” is motive-driven. What do you journalist folks think about Fox News?

If you read all the comments I have posted on C&H prior to this one, none have a political nature. Like I said, Calvin’s comment screamed Ayn Rand. As for “Atlas Shrugged” being science fiction and not a book espousing a certain political philosophy, all I can say is, read John Galt’s 60 page speech in the book.

The poor man’s philosophy: “I want to work hard. I want my work to benefit other people, but more importantly, I want my work to benefit me.” Or if you prefer, many people are willing to serve, but few are willing to be servants. I think the fact that so many people are caught on that dividing line is what is leading to the political acrimony.

Am I dreaming?

xxx

leftwingpatriot said, 9 minutes ago wrote: “More than 600,000 farmers went bankrupt in 1920s…”I suggest you cut the hyperbole and check your facts.

The official figure for the period 1920-029 was 51,863 filed.

See:Farmer Bankruptcies and Farm Exits in the United States, 1899-2002

Anybody can make what comment suits them. I have only flagged one comment on C&H because the poster made an extremely vulgar comment regarding Susie.Like I said, I have made a conscious effort to avoid making comments of a politically nature on this site until today’s strip

I guess, irony is lost on you. He is working twice as hard so others won’t benefit from his hard work.

The official facts are contained here:Farmer Bankruptcies and Farm Exits in the United States, 1899-2002/AIB-788

If you can’t find that, I will not be surprised.

The “experts” could be lobbyists, academics, or government officials. Like I said, we don’t know if the prices would have really gone that high because the subsidies were restored.My question was, how would it have affected middle class and working class families if the price did go that high?

Calvin Dude you remind me of my staff. I have delegated work to a person only to take it back and do it correctly. She does this on purpose since she is not a worker. I’m putting together paperwork to have her transferred out of my department.

People who criticize Ayn Rand after reading are the same as people who become atheists after reading scripture – any scripture. We have read it and we have rejected it.By the way, Ayn Rand is a horrible writer. I am not talking about her philosophy. I am talking about her writing style. Long, meandering sentences. She doesn’t expect the reader to think for him/herself.

I Agree with leftwingpatriot—-and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Flashhold’s observation!

I have this in my queue, but rarely comment here, usually because by the time I get here, everything good I good add, has already been said. :-D

I was wondering though, has anyone heard anything of HOBBES lately. I only went back a bit but I haven’t seen him. I know he disappears sometimes on sabbaticals or something?

No, Calvin works twice as hard to keep others from enjoying the benefits of his hard work. Whether he is a Randist or not, you will have to ask Bill Watterson.-The simple fact is the government programs and policies the right likes to criticize – some justifiably so – are real responses to real problems.

Being an admirer of Ayn Rand, I thought you enjoyed book (in her case, multiple book) length diatribes.