Atlas Shrugged' Meets Real Life as a Radio Host 'Goes Galt' on the Air

On Thursday, a Minnesota radio host took a page out of Ayn Rand's book: He decried self-sacrifice and taxes before quitting on-air.

"We are endlessly told to live for others," said host Jason Lewis during his Thursday show. "Taxes are patriotic. The pursuit of happiness has been replaced by the mandate of self-sacrifice. This is not freedom; it is tyranny."

People now have two choices, Lewis said: "Fund the beast, or starve the beast. To host the parasite, or walk away."

Lewis said he's made his choice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have now chosen the latter," he proclaimed. "They can now feed off one another — I quit."

Then he did just that, leaving the studio scrambling to find a replacement host to fill the dead air time.

Jason Lewis. (Image via YouTube)

Later on Twitter, Lewis explained his abrupt departure using the hashtag "GoingGalt" — a reference to the exodus of entrepreneurial men from a decadent society in Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

In a follow-up blog post, Lewis' departure was explained in a bit more detail:

Lewis who has long complained about the heavy hand of government is apparently living up to his word and is “Going Galt” - a phrase derived from the iconic Ayn Rand novel "Atlas Shrugged." In the book, the “producers” or “men of the minds” - as the famed author put it - decide to go out on “strike” as a protest against those who would attack them politically.

Lewis, a long-time advocate against the high levels of taxation now says he too has had enough and will focus his efforts, and place his commentary, on a start-up business he co-founded named, suitably enough, GALT.IO. This way, says the talk host, he'll be able to do as much work as desired, but more importantly just enough to keep the taxman at bay - and no more.

Listen to Lewis' dramatic exit here:

"He literally said, 'I quit,' and got up and walked out?" the replacement host asked. "Unbelievable."

Featured image via Chris Ford / flickr

(H/T: Mediaite)

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Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter