The Wrath of Ayn Rand

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/11/11-3

Many have commented on the remarkable callousness fashioned by this Republican presidential field. Most prominently, Herman Cain maintained that the poor and unemployed are responsible for their own plight; Ron Paul claimed that people who refrain from buying health insurance but become debilitated should not be bailed out by government healthcare—they should just die instead, his audience helpfully suggested (or hollered, rather); and just about all the candidates have recommended ever harsher, ever more absurd measures to keep out poor immigrants on our border with Mexico: double fences, electric fences, even soldiers with ‘real guns and real bullets,’ as Herman Cain put it.



What’s driving this show of meanness? You might say it’s just what the electorate—or some loud part thereof—wants. It seems like there are some seriously angry voters out there these days, and I’m sure the recession is taking a toll on people’s patience and generosity. And yet, I suspect this is no fleeting trend, but something with deeper ideological roots. In short, I sense Ayn Rand.

Rand has always had a good following, but her popularity has surged in recent years as conservatives repeatedly invoked her to counter Obama’s “Socialist” agenda. She has an impressive roster of conservative devotees: Clarence Thomas, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Ron Paul. Paul’s son, Senator Rand Paul quoted Ayn Rand at length during a congressional committee meeting this past year—to argue against government mandates for energy efficient light bulbs, of all things. Congressman Paul Ryan, the rising star from Wisconsin who drafted the Republican’s celebrated plan to slash the federal budget, reportedly urges all his staffers to read her works.

This is a powerful fan-base, and many have feared the consequences of Rand’s influence. I think we are seeing it now, for there are clear strains of her venom in the excesses of the Republican candidates—and beyond. Her trademark callousness is increasingly evident throughout our political discourse regarding the poor and vulnerable of society. The congressional super-committee charged with agreeing on a trillion dollars in federal deficit reduction is reportedly contemplating cuts to food stamps, while Republicans remain steadfast that taxes not rise on the rich. This, as the recession lingers and poverty rates soar, and we witness the greatest concentration of wealth among the rich since the 1920s. The Republican stance is mind-boggling in these circumstances—but Rand would certainly approve; indeed, she might favor far worse. Consider:

More at the link --

[NMMNG]

1. "The Virtue of Selfishness"

AKA, "I got mine (because I'm brilliant and hardworking), fuck the rest of you (who are obviously poor/sick/disabled because you're stupid and lazy)".

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Fundamentalism is a sophisticated way of dehumanizing society,

for the good of society.Existentialism explains why the function of human beings isn't to simply exist ,but too flourish and enjoy,thats why Sartre and Voltaire forgot more about human nature than Ayn Rand ever displayed.

[patrice]

3. The woman IDOLIZED a child-killer. She would indeed "... favor far worse"!!!

[patrice]

4. Neither Paul nor Rand did diddly-SHIT without the system they hate. They are parasites making

money out of bile.

[patrice]

6. They are reactionaries NOT creators. nt

[hifiguy]

5. When the history of the 20th century is written 100 years from now

- if humanity survives that long - Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman will be tossed into the same bin with Hitler, Stalin, and Mao as the worst that humanity offered up in that century in terms of causing needless, pointless human suffering.

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Paul Ryan advises his staffers to read her book?

What does he do next, cut their paychecks as a practical lesson? After all, I'm sure that's the underlying message in the book.

Why should the congressman offer a Christmas bonus to his staffers when that detracts from his overall worth? And what about those staffers? Shouldn't they sell out at every opportunity and act in their own self interests by betraying the congressman for the highest bidder?

Rand's theory that anything goes if it adds to one's wealth is so flawed it would create a society of predatory chaos if everyone took her to heart. The mindset that I should do anything possible to put other people's money in my pocket is anti-social.

If I were Paul Ryan, I'd preach Dali Lama to my employees.

[Major Nikon]

11. Clarence Thomas forces his male staffers to read Ayn Rand

Female staffers must watch Long Dong Silver with him.

I'm not sure which is worse.

[MNBrewer]

8. It strikes me as exceedingly odd that these religious people would idolize her

She was very clear about her atheism and her views on the idiocy of religions.

[saras]

9. No, you're considering intellectual content. It's the emotions that matter - she hates like they do

It doesn't really matter what they hate because all haters know the subject is irrelevant. Take away what they hate, and they'll switch to something else. Make them dependent on what they hate, and they will switch to love and support, and hate something else. Point them at their own tails and they will hate themselves.

So both sides merely hope they can convert each other to hating their choice hate objects.

[noiretextatique]

10. sociopaths, every single one of them

not a shred of humanity in these horrible people.

[Major Nikon]

12. Ayn Rand's Pseudo-Philosophy

http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/87328/ayn-rands-pseudo-philosophy

[fascisthunter]

13. who else follows the economic and political ideology of a SOCIOPATH?

... just think of it.

[Tom Ripley]

14. I remember when Alice Rosenbaum's fanbase was mostly teenagers

who usually outgrew her nonsense by 17 or so

[SomethingFishy]

15. Atlas Shrugged.... Or...

[Liberal Insights]

16. Who was proud of being "the anti-Christ"?

I haven't finished it yet, but my http://LiberalslikeChrist.Org/JesusChristvsAynRand.html is designed to challenge "Conservative Christians" to justify their allegiance to both "Christ" and the self-professed "anti-Christ".

[LWolf]

17. Rand at least had understandable reasons for her philosophy.

She was wrong, but she at least based her prejudices on personal experience, unlike the modern conservatives who invoke her.

It's funny how they don't invoke her anti-christian stand. :rofl:

[kittykitty]

18. Ayn Rand, Rand Paul, Paul Ryan--Anagrams, anyone? n/t