Who is John Galt? Perhaps the question should be "Where is John Galt?"

Given the economic situation as it is, it should come as no surprise that Ayn Rand's classic, Atlas Shrugged has enjoyed a significant boost in sales of late, because the fictional setting of the book dovetails somewhat with no only what is going on in our own economy, but also the proposed "solutions" offered by the Obama administration.

The memorable phrase from the book, "Who is John Galt?" In the context of the book's parallels with our current situation, I've wondered if perhaps the question should be rephrased to, "Where is John Galt?" It's a valid question.

If you are of the same mind, and would like to ask that question publicly, now you can. "Who Where is John Galt?" T-shirts and bumper stickers can by found at CafePress.com.

Glenn Beck: "I think Angelina is actually open-minded"

And James Taranto says: Jolie 1, Obama 0

Angelina recently visited Iraq, met with General Petraeus and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and she wrote in the WaPo that:

"My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis.

Today's humanitarian crisis in Iraq -- and the potential consequences for our national security -- are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that 4 million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of Middle East, won't explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder?

What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance."

The FDC thinks Beck is right...Jolie does get it. Maybe there's more to this woman than the typical guilt-ridden liberal Hollywood starlet. Jolie also recently purchased the rights to make the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, and is apparently a fan of Rand. Hmmmmm. She might be exposing a little too much of an unwelcome opinion to her Hollywood friends - that is if she wants to continue to get roles, win awards and go to Hollywood parties.

The Tax Threat to Prosperity

Writing today in the Wall Street Journal, Arthur Laffer has written an excellent explanation of American tax policy history, and the differing effects of tax rate cuts on high and low income earners. This analysis should not be surprising coming from the architect of the famed Laffer Curve. Rich Lowry agrees, here.

The FDC concurs with Mr. Laffer, but would like to add that if you continue the trends that he points out we will eventually have a country where many people won't be able to brag, "I'm a tax-paying American citizen and yada, yada, yada." Why? Because if current trends continue, more and more people will NOT pay income taxes. You say, "I'm not rich. Fine with me. Let them pay. They can afford it." Eventually, when the number of taxpayers who don't pay any income taxes, reaches over 50%, then the lower 50% of income earners controls the whole game - with their votes. Next, the folks that are make barely more than the top earning no tax payers also vote for whoever or whatever will get them into this tax skate club, and so on, and so on, and so on. Pretty soon the rich are paying all the taxes. Then, Atlas shrugs, and the whole house of cards collapses. Back to the drawing board.