So, that's that. Barack Hussein Obama is the U.S. President-elect. Well, that's not all, actually, as the Senate races have not quite settled down yet. It is still unknown whether or not the DNC will get the 60 seat majority they would need to have the power to pass anything they want. As I am typing this, there are still four Senate races going on. If those races go to the DNC candidates running for them, that will make the 60 seats they covet... sort of. There's a particular man whose face, if this comes to pass, we'll all no doubt see a lot of:
So perhaps the majority won't turn out to be one. We'll see.
I spent yesterday evening at the home of my boss and his family after a day of private sector productivity. I was learning new skills and I discovered that my efforts at work have earned me another raise as I have hit some targets set out before me. This morning I was handed my next pay stub, which showed that I have again collected a nice sum of bonuses. We (my coworkers and I) spent this afternoon in Spokane for continuing education - something required of us as professionally licensed pest control operators - where I gained more knowledge of my craft. All together, these past two days have been days of personal endeavor, development, and personal achievement.
It's a sharp contrast to what just happened in the U.S. At the same time that I've demonstrated again what has been known since the beginning of our time as a species on this earth about the connection between hard work in pursuit of a personal vision and the rewards that result, millions have chosen the promise of handouts. While I strive individually to create things of value, millions decided to help themselves to the wealth of those who produce. As I get up and go to work each day in pursuit of my own happiness, those who do not have the resolve to do the same on their own are going to try and make me and other people like me carry them on our backs.
It won't be as easy for them as they may believe. Sure, they've just voted into office a socialist who has promised them these things in exchange for their loyalty, but even he has hoops to jump through, and in 2010 he may find himself hobbled by a differently composed Congress. Then there is the very likely outcome of the actual goods delivered not meeting the hopes and dreams of the faithful, such as the inevitable outcome of rationed health care that besets socialized medicine at some point, the worthlessness of college degrees that everyone is entitled to get, etc. There is also the foreseeable damage to the economy that some of Obama's ideas would cause if enacted as policy, which will no doubt shake the belief of many of his starstruck followers who will prove to be quite fickle in the face of such a test. And last, but by far not the least, there is the fact that all of these things are produced by human beings, and while 53% of the popular vote may seem like a lot, the truth is that a relatively small number of those on the other side will be required to play along for these fleeting promises to be realized.
So, here we are, and here I am. Now, as always, it's time for adaptation. There are things I need to study, methods of arranging my affairs that will put me as far beyond the reach of this tide as possible. I know some of them already, and I've put a few in place, but I am aware that there is more to learn and use. So while I'm doing that, for those of you who think all of your hopes and dreams will now come true, that "society" is going to take care of you and that this is a settled matter, there is one question I recommend that you study:
Who is John Galt?
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