[KarlInOhio]

Atlas Shrugged is compelling, not for its heroes, but for its villains. Published in 1957, Rand's description of politicians and lobbyists in a time of economic crisis is almost prophetic.

Her villains look much like the various government officials and associates of the largely forgotten early part of the Great Depression. Most people remember such things as Social Security and the huge construction projects of the Hoover Dam and the TVA, but if you look back to when the National Recovery Administration enforcement officers were raiding businesses to see if they were charging a nickel more than allowed.

[Roccus]

When I left NYC in ‘02 we had Sanitation Police inspecting trash bags at curbside on pick-up day. If there were any recyclables in the “garbage” bag the residence (superintendent in apt. buildings) would be ticketed.