RepubliRandian Economic Ideal (as told by Douglas Adams)

[JHB]

This passage from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy always struck me as nice parody of the guiding fantasy of Reaganites and Objectivists. Happened to run across it again, and thought I'd share.

Far back in the mists of ancient time, in the great and glorious days of the former Galactic Empire, life was wild, rich and largely tax free.

Mighty starships plied their way between exotic suns, seeking adventure and reward amongst the furthest reaches of Galactic space. In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri. And all dared to brave unknown terrors, to do mighty deeds, to boldly split infinitives that no man had split before - and thus was the Empire forged. Many men of course became extremely rich, but this was perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of because no one was really poor - at least no one worth speaking of.

And remember, the "no one worth speaking of" is you, me, just about everyone you know, and (to pull a quote from another classic) "most of the people who do the living and dying in this town", Town Earth, that is.