I could not agree more! Learning to resist guilt is step #1, which the life-changer, Atlas Shrugged, taught me many years ago. If you agree that entitlement is but the lure to get dependent citizens to support an expansive government, please read my sci-fi/dystopian/romance, Whisper Independence (by T.J. Patterson). This book would never have been written if I had not read Atlas Shrugged 27 years ago. See the YouTube book trailer (Whisper Independence, 00:02:47). The informed GaltsGulchOnline reader will especially appreciate the analogy to what is happening today. I hope that if you read the ebook, you will post an honest, thoughtful review on Amazon or whichever retailer you choose.

Excellent post. You have a real understanding of what is happening in this country, and how it will destroy us. I noticed it about 15 years ago, when the schools were cramming altruism down the throats of students. Service organizations have gone from "helping" to "handing out" - no requirements.
So, these folks want more and more, as the getting, not the earning, is the goal. They become angry if their every need is not met. They have no self respect, as they have earned none. Even they know the trendy self esteem is crap.
So, they grab uppers, Prozac, psychotropics, whatever makes them feel momentarily numb.
When it all no longer works, they lash at, and even become self destructive. Columbine was a combination of the self esteem outcome based education and psychotropics. We in Ohio saw it coming, but the schools embraced it with both hands.
Our grown daughter sent me an article she felt summed it up, about why her generation is depressed. They knew they were not as good as they were constantly told, and they did not know they would not be handed the perfect job and life on a silver platter. Now they are all trying to figure out the rules for life.

It is my understanding that just about all of these mass-murder types are on Prozac and/or related medication. The population using these drugs has exploded in the past 10 years. As the fringe of those who suffer from side effects like mass shootings grows...we see more of this in the news. I know psychopaths. Hell, I've worked for a couple. But, they didn't do this...

Here is the "recent unpleasantness" accurately and thoroughly summarized and explained.

While I can't unreservedly endorse this editorial, one sentence stood out to me:
"This kid went on a shooting rampage because he couldn’t accept his responsibility for making things happen for himself."

That to me was the crux of the argument and the core statement of the entire piece. We have to be willing to take action on our own behalf. Blaming others for something we want but don't have is not only pointless effort wasted, but endemic of the attitude of a two-year-old! You want it given to you? Then you also get no control over your own life: no right to vote, no right to own land, no right to free speech, etc. You want to be a slave - there are plenty of people willing to enslave you. Freedom = hard work.

I'd quibble with the religious jabs, but I'll attribute that to ignorance. To put it bluntly, Christ does NOT encourage altruism as defined by Rand. Altruism != Charity.

this was posted at least once before. it should up dated to say the desire to be a politician demonstrates psychotic behavior.

Great article, Max. Clear and concise. Agree totally.

One of the few clear thoughts here.

Hi MaxCasey: I'm glad I've met you here. I just browsed through some of your other writings and I like them. Thanks

MaxC.....excellent.....hits square on the foundational linchpin........philosophy pro- or anti-human life.................

Having had any number of sociopaths in my life, I must concur that "envy" is at the root of sociopathic behavior ... however they take it to a new level of: "AND IF I CAN'T HAVE IT, I'LL DESTROY YOU!"
Thankfully, few boast of both jealousy and the capacity to jump into that type of behavior.

I certainly agree. Elliot Rodger couched his manifesto in explicit "entitlement terms."