# I Pit John Galt Wannabes **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295 "2012-11-07T23:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/1 "2012-11-07T23:33:41Z")
Ugh. Normally I don’t break out the vodka on wednesday night. Especially not after my party won a major election. But this… Ugh. > [@Taxcutter](#): > > With the re-election of Hussein Obama, America is beyond screwed. We’ll all need to be able to speak Greek. Between the gargantuan deficit and runaway regulations it will be a miracle if anybody has a job by 2014. > > The 53% (those who pay income taxes) need to pursue a course of action similar to that of the fictional character John Galt. Few of us are wealthy enough to completely isolate ourselves, but we can approximate his fictional actions and here are some ideas. > > 1. Liquidate everything you can by the end of the year. Convert it into cash and squirrel that cash away. > > 2. Stop buying stuff. At least anything beyond the absolute essential. The military calls it “beans, bullets, batteries, and fuel.” Make what you have last. If you have to buy a replacement, buy used. Try to barter if you can. Craigslist is full of stuff that costs a fraction of what new stuff costs. Lay in a stash of ammunition, canned food, the myriad batteries we use commonly, and some storable fuel to keep you warm in the winter. Above all, defer purchase of big-ticket depreciating items like houses and cars. Pay off your old house and car if you can. > > 3. Minimize eating out. Minimize entertainment. Both are more expensive than you think. > For instance, I’d planned to buy some new carpet because of a spot in one room. Now that plan goes out the window. I’ll find something to cover it until the storm passes. Also, at the end of the NFL regular season, I’m cancelling my cable TV account. Internet access only. I stashed two tons of anthracite coal for my heating stove. > > Don’t worry about the economy. The 47%ers (who pay no income tax) and blue state O-Bots are flush enough with redistributed wealth to keep the consumerist economy going. Now, normally I’d ignore something like this, but this isn’t an isolated event. There seem to be an awful lot of those on the right who think this way. And if enough people actually go through with this, it will hurt the economy in a nasty way. I’ve seen two or three hardliner, “no government is good government” conservatives say that they were done, and that because of the “new normal” this country is approaching, they’re done providing, and are going to quit their jobs and hop on welfare and milk the system for all it’s got. Never mind how retardedly ignorant and offensive ideas like this are to those who know what welfare is like. Never mind that it’s intentionally destructive and spiteful, and only hurts everyone in the long run, _including those who choose to take that path in the short turn!_ We’ve got people saying, “Hide all your money! I hope the rich don’t pay another damn cent!” And this seems to mirror the wider trend. In fact, this seems to be the new mantra of the conservative movement: > [@Me parodying conservatives](#): > > I hope this country burns to the ground. > > I hope the job creators leave en masse. I hope they hide their taxes. I hope they turn into John Galt. > > I hope that we are attacked. I hope that the weakness we see in liberal foreign policy comes to fruition. > > I hope that Obama fails in every endeavor he offers, even ones that would help the American people. > > I hope that America rebels, and that we are driven to another secession. > > I hope that everyone joins our philosophy of “you’re all on your own”. > > I hope that Americans are starving in the streets before Obama’s second term is up. > > I am the only true patriot left - the one who is willing to damn his country, to wish utter ruin and catastrophe upon it, to save it. I really have to ask, what the fuck is wrong with conservatives? Do they honestly believe that bluster about Obama’s second term meaning the end of America? Are they _that fucking petty_ to think that the correct answer to the problem of “We lost an election” is “BURN THIS COUNTRY AND ALL WE THOUGHT IT STOOD FOR LAST YEAR TO THE GROUND!”?! What the fucking shit is wrong with this country? But wait, it gets worse! The republicans still have the house, and 47 seats in the senate. What does this mean? Well, it’s really simple: Obama will be unable to pass _anything_! We’ll have 4 more years of complete and utter gridlock, because republicans would rather cut off their nose to spite their face than work with a democrat to help this country. I’ve seen a great many people say that Chris Christie should switch sides because he gave credit where credit was due so close before the election! _What the fuck is wrong with you people?!_ Ugh. I’m done. Pass the vodka, I’m just going to drink myself into enough of a stupor that I don’t even care any more. Fuck America. This country is unwilling to let itself be saved. America is doomed, in the short or long run. I predicted an economic upturn in the next 4 years before the election and I would stand by it whether or not Romney won, but that’s entirely irrelevant because as long as the electorate is _so_. _Incredibly_. _ **RETARDED** _. This country is just fucked. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/2 "2012-11-07T23:41:16Z")
Don’t worry. Things are getting better! ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/3 "2012-11-07T23:41:17Z")
I really hate to have to say this, but “you parodying conservatives” isn’t too far off. One of my Facebook friends said she **hopes** America burns for their choice to elect Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/4 "2012-11-07T23:43:13Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > I really hate to have to say this, but “you parodying conservatives” isn’t too far off. One of my Facebook friends said she **hopes** America burns for their choice to elect Obama. “Parody” is too strong a word, but several people (on the board I originally posted that quote) thought I was serious. … ;\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_; Of course, what gets me the most is that these self-same people are the people who, just days earlier, were claiming that _they_ were the “only real Americans” and “only patriots” and that nobody else really belonged here. I swear to god, it makes me want to hit someone. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/5 "2012-11-07T23:48:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Also, at the end of the NFL regular season, I’m cancelling my cable TV account. Internet access only. I’m glad he’s waiting until the end of the NFL season to cancel his cable subscription. If he did it now I would think he really loves his country. I notice he’s saying “regular season,” so how much do you want to bet that if his team makes the playoffs he’s going to postpone his sacrifice a few more weeks? ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/6 "2012-11-07T23:56:37Z")
You have nothing to worry about. If Americans had the ability to control their spending we wouldn’t have had a massive mortgage melt down. For example: “Also, at the end of the NFL regular season, I’m cancelling my cable TV account.” Watching NFL is more important that this douchebag’s beliefs. What’s the likelihood that after the Superbowl this guy suddenly realizes he really wants to see the Final 4, and the NBA playoffs, and then the next season of Dancing with the Stars? That one statement alone can tell you everything you need to know about the strength of that guy’s convictions. " I stashed two tons of anthracite coal for my heating stove." Seriously? That’s a lot of coal. And he probably bought a shed, wheelbarrow, and shovel for it too. He’s also going to go out and buy a LOT of beans, batteries, and bullets. Then he’s going to buy a bunch of containers and some shelving, along with something to cover up that stain. The economy could use a lot more John Galts, since this guy is about to dump thousands into his local economy, at a time when retailers could really use the boost. " [they] are going to quit their jobs and hop on welfare and milk the system for all it’s got." Well, the first thing they are going to learn is that there isn’t much milk. The second thing they are going to learn is that someone was waiting for their job and is happy to take it. You really should be thanking this clueless idiot, and all the morons he inspires. Worst possible case scenario is that he teaches a few people to control their urges and plan for the future. There are more than a few people on the East Coast right now that wish they had stocked up on fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/7 "2012-11-08T00:06:12Z")
This is the same as the idiotic ‘I will leave the country if so-and-so is elected’. Blowhards will blow hard and will do nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/8 "2012-11-08T00:08:56Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > This is the same as the idiotic ‘I will leave the country if so-and-so is elected’. > > Blowhards will blow hard and will do nothing. …My family actually did back in '05… ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/9 "2012-11-08T00:12:02Z")
Can you really get on welfare just because you want to? First, I thought you had to have a dire situation and go through a more-extensive approval process, and second, I understood that it’s only used as a brief stop-gap measure (like two years) at a vastly reduced rate. I’m not seeing how an entire household could actually choose this path and make it work. Finally, Thunderdome is what they want? Look what it did to the good old anti-Semite’s career! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/10 "2012-11-08T00:19:47Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > …My family actually did back in '05… They left the country out of disgust, or because they had a great opportunity elsewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/11 "2012-11-08T00:21:17Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Can you really get on welfare just because you want to? Well, first you have to be poor. Poorer than most folks like. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/12 "2012-11-08T00:22:08Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m glad he’s waiting until the end of the NFL season to cancel his cable subscription. If he did it now I would think he really loves his country. I notice he’s saying “regular season,” so how much do you want to bet that if his team makes the playoffs he’s going to postpone his sacrifice a few more weeks? All playoff games are broadcast on free, over-the-air, stations. Presumably, the nutbag wants to keep his cable so he can continue to watch Monday Night Football (on ESPN) and Thursday and Saturday Night Football (broadcast on the NFL Network). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/13 "2012-11-08T00:32:45Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > “Parody” is too strong a word, but several people (on the board I originally posted that quote) thought I was serious. > … > ;\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_; > > Of course, what gets me the most is that these self-same people are the people who, just days earlier, were claiming that _they_ were the “only real Americans” and “only patriots” and that nobody else really belonged here. I swear to god, it makes me want to hit someone. Joseph Palmi [Joe Pesci]: Let me ask you something… we Italians, we got our families, and we got the church; the Irish, they have the homeland, Jews their tradition; even the niggers, they got their music. What about you people [Old-American WASPS], Mr. Wilson, what do you have? Edward Wilson [Matt Damon]: The United States of America. It’s ours. The rest of you are just visiting. – [_The Good Shepherd_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Shepherd_(film)) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/14 "2012-11-08T01:00:08Z")
Paranoid wingnut douchebags selling all their possessions and holing up in their houses instead of going out where I might run into them? I don’t really have a problem with it. ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/15 "2012-11-08T01:06:46Z")
I question the seriousness of this. All true believers know that Obama’s going to inflate away the debt, so selling everything for cash would be self-defeating. File this in the same drawer as those celebrities who always threaten to leave the country if a Republican wins. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/16 "2012-11-08T01:17:02Z")
In my mind, since I refused to vote for either, Obama is just a kinder, gentler, slower descent into Hell since neither Party to me is capable of fixing or recognizing our true economic woes. But that’s just my personal opinion. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/17 "2012-11-08T01:17:44Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Paranoid wingnut douchebags selling all their possessions and holing up in their houses instead of going out where I might run into them? I don’t really have a problem with it. Exactly. I really, really wish all the people saying they were leaving would actually do it. We’re better off without you. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/18 "2012-11-08T02:12:04Z")
Back in 2008, right after Obama took office (I mean RIGHT after, like early Feb or something) my ex’s dad went into a gun and ammunition store to “stock up on ammo before Obama takes our guns away” (or puts exorbitant taxes on ammunition or whatever). Almost all the ammo was sold out and the prices had skyrocketed. He apparently said “see? It’s happening already!” in all seriousness. No, you all went so crazy-paranoid that you all decided to stock up on ammunition at the same damn time, almost selling out the store, and the store owners know their customers so they jacked up prices in anticipation. But hey, thanks for supporting small business! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/19 "2012-11-08T02:20:59Z")
[Moderating] I’ve removed the link to the other message board to prevent the possibility of a board war. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295/20 "2012-11-08T02:39:06Z")
Damn, and here I thought you were the one saying pass the vodka. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-john-galt-wannabes/640295.md?page=2)