Ayn Rand's Problem With the Right

It's the story.

A lot of what I hear has to do with "Atlas Shrugged" and the story that it tells. While the author is definitely part of the story I don't necessarily expect them to live by the same virtues. Just as a murder mystery writer isn't necessarily a murderer and a fantasy writer doesn't spend time with dragons. Ayn Rand's personal motivations are of little use in the discussion of the ideals being related in her story. The comparison of the looter in "Atlas Shrugged" and the idea the current administration tries to prepetuate that we are somehow owed health care, better jobs, more money, and green vehicles is a valid argument.

The idea of working hard for what you have and being proud of it is entirley American. The idea of not wanting the gov't. stepping in and arbitrarily saying you make too much money, because you make over $500,000, you need to pay more in taxes. Having gov't. say you took our money now we're cutting your pay by up to 90%. Sounds a lot like the looter or the thief.

So while Ayn Rand may not be what the right is "looking" for, the ideal of earning what you have and being thankful to those that have come before is a well learned lesson in a thought provoking story.

TheFarmer of IA @ Nov 02, 2009 22:01:31 PM