Such rules change for the expressed purpose of tripping up people like Hank Rearden. Just ask Floyd Ferris.

Which brings us to one of the most insightful passages I've ever read concerning the true nature of bureaucrats and their regulations. The author is Ayn Rand. These quotes are from page 411 of my edition of Atlas Shrugged. Basically, Value Creator Hank Rearden has been accused of breaking some regulations the bureaucrats have made about Rearden's steel business having to do with how much or little steel he may produce, when, and to whom he may sell or not sell.

Says the bureaucrat Floyd Ferris: "You honest men are such a problem and such a headache. But we knew you'd slip sooner or later . . . [and break one of our regulations] . . . this is just what we wanted."
Rearden: "You seem to be pleased about it."

Bureaucrat Ferris: "Don't I have good reason to be?"

Rearden: "But, after all, I did break one of your laws."

Bureaucrat Ferris: "Well, what do you think they're there for?"

Continues bureaucrat Ferris: "Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed? We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against . . . We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted [Frederick Mann: Obfuscation of meaning is a key element of the con games bureaucrats and politicians play.] - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." [emphasis added]

Ayn Rand here writes one of the most brilliant expositions I've ever seen about the core of the bureaucratic mentality.

Only if you feel GUILTY about your Value Creation can bureaucrats truly control you. When you admit and confess to yourself and to others that your Value Creation is morally wrong, you are psychologically defeated. This is precisely what they want. Only by making you yourself feel like a criminal about your Value Creation can they defeat you.

The above was taken from AS page 411 and from
http://www.mind-trek.com/articles/t12d.h...

JB

I submit that the continual generation of "rules" from the Federal Agencies that have the de facto force of law constitutes near daily change.

This is the Fed as in Federal Government, not the banking crats


This post of yours (this is an extract) earlier in the thread


Posted by Robbie53024 23 hours, 12 minutes ago
Google is evil - use Bing instead.

There are many who want to knock Lincoln. They are either southerners who can't get over that they lost, or they are those who can't come to grips with the fact that in light of a war, actions need to be taken to win that otherwise wouldn't be permitted.

You brought up Lincoln-Civil War-and a broad swipe at southerners.

So that diverted us down this path

No tariff, no war. Slavery was not the issue that fraudulent historians have pretended that it was. As long as you haven't heard the case for the defense you can't make a sound judgement on the issue.

Impeachment is clearly off the table and Obama knows it. That worries me.

HEY! She could...never mind.

I hope she does a good job and spells out a positive agenda for the GOP.

The rebuttal from Joni Ernst (the lady that castrated pigs), is likely to be more entertaining.. :)

Thanks. No offense intended and it was a bit picky but, as I said, it's one of those statements that tends to be misused quite a bit. Even though I understood what you were saying.

Many chose to walk willingly to the concentration camps in disbelief that a gas chamber would await them...

Yes. I will take some Pepto ahead of time.
"praemonitus, praemunitus" (To be forewarned is to to be forearmed)

Point well stated.

The ends must always justify the means. If not, then you should not be doing what you are doing. Sorry. People using this statement is one of my pet peeves.

What people usually mean is that the end (most usually a good end) does not justify every possible means of getting there. But that is completely different than saying the ends do not justify the means. They must always. If the ends do not justify the means then nothing else can. :)

The next two years will be interesting. Obama still believes he is a rock star loved by all. He was trounced in the mid terms but I don't know if that will translate into any good or not.