This is the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged." She argues for "enlightened self-interest," and predicted the decline of America under the weight of socialism. Her prophesies are coming true. I had a bit of trouble reading "Atlas Shrugged." It is hard going sometimes, with the tedious monologues of John Galt, the main character. Rand was a Russian, and understood the corrosive effects of socialism.