Quotations from
Ayn Rand [1905-1982]

She worked for, gasp, PROFITS!? What an evil witch!

Ayn Rand threads are always fun. The progressives hate her more than Palin.

They seem to overlook the fact that she was an Atheist.

The problem with progressives is that The State is their God, an all powerful entity that "looks after everyone" and knows what you are doing and knows what's good for you even if you don't.

knows what you are doing and knows what's good for you even if you don't.

#4 | Posted by member2586

Sounds more like Santa......

Equality 7-2521 concludes his anthem, saying, "the day will come when I shall break all the chains of the earth, and raze the cities of the enslaved, and my home will become the capital of a world where each man will be free to exist for his own sake."

Equality 7-2521 tries to persuade them to listen to him, telling them that he gives them "the power of the sky" and the "key to the earth." The scholars respond, saying, "What is not done collectively cannot be good."

"Sounds more like Santa......"

Ha!

I remember a Hillary campaign ad that alluded to that, all the different social programs hanging on the Xmas tree like ornaments. Very honest of her to do that.

The onl problem is, this Santa ends up leacing coal in our wallets.

Ayn Rand Mike Wallace Interview 1959

Seems like a half-century ago, member...

"I work for nothing but my own profitwhich I make by selling a product they need to men who are willing and able to buy it. I do not produce it for their benefit at the expense of mine, and they do not buy it for my benefit at the expense of theirs; I do not sacrifice my interests to them nor do they sacrifice theirs to me; we deal as equals by mutual consent to mutual advantage."

-we deal as equals

Rightwing Social Darwinism at it's root, the extension of this utter nonsense is based on the fallacy that fate and fortune, or, genes and society, have created a level playing field for all people.

Well, whether one is born with a silver spoon or with a crack spoon, or whether they work hard but get no breaks or work hard and get all the breaks, survival of the fittest is hardly a humane or intelligent philosophy.

People dealing with other as equal is something that progressives can not fathom. They's rather have the State pick winners and loser from among different groups. This is how identity politics works. Something is not judge by it's merrit, but depending on whether there is a strong identity politics lobby behind it. It's the lwa of the jungle, might makes right in the progressive view of things.

Progressives believe that those who have advantage should be punished because it is not fair that different people have different outcomes in life. Everything will be equal:

Having trouble finding your equal Cork? Look under a rock?

When the movie the Incredibles came out, theres was a comment in the LP site about how randian it was. I can't find that, but I found this doing a quick goodle search:

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Objectivism & Politics, Part 40

Altruism's influence on politics.

In Objectivism, "altruism" is serves as the primary ideological scapegoat for the ills of American political and economic policy. "From her start, America was torn by the clash of her political system with the altruist morality," Rand insisted. "Capitalism and altruism are incompatible."

This viewpoint would seem to go against the more commonly held view (at least among political realists) that "altruism" does not figure prominently in either the motivations of politicians or in the voting public. Politicians and voters give lip service to altruism, but their primary motivation is usually some form of self-interest.

much more

"These are classic Randian themes -- while Rand did not emphasize any concept that certain people were born better than others, she did lash out repeatedly against a world that celebrated mediocrity over achievement, norms over exceptionalism. "

are you getting this Corko?

#13 Wouldn't know Objectivism if it bit him on the ass..... would just think it was Member again.

Who is Ayn Rand?

It USED to be Ayn Rand's birthday, but since possessions are evil, it is now the People's Birthday.

created a level playing field for all people.

#11 | Posted by Corky

This is a ridiculous concept created by the disenchanted baby boomers. They have recited it so long, without ever thinking about it, that it seems to make sense to them.

There is no level playing field, there never will be. If there was, who would pick up your garbage or serve you that tasty burger at McDonalds? Everyone is born with nothing and takes nothing away when they die. In between, you're on your own, you get what you can, and luck IS a huge variable.

This is a subject that is near and dear to me. I know of no single person (except my little brother) who was raised where we were and went on to have successful careers. We didn't do it by hand-outs or fake 'up-with-people' 'touchey-feeling' bullshit. We both did it with hard work and education. Anyone else that chooses not to avail themselves of those opportunites should not be allowed to take what i worked for (and they didn't).

People that think that everything is level and equal are the first ones eaten in the jungle.

People that think that everything is level and equal are the first ones eaten in the jungle.

#20 | Posted by Lipzoidial

The corn fed ones are mighty tasty and rather slow.

This is why insider trading rules, for instance, are kind of silly. If you as a small trader believe that you have the same info as the big guys, you are delusional.

Well, whether one is born with a silver spoon or with a crack spoon, or whether they work hard but get no breaks or work hard and get all the breaks, survival of the fittest is hardly a humane or intelligent philosophy.
#11 | Posted by Corky

Nature has no philosophy and no morals.

Nature has no philosophy and no morals.

#23 | Posted by Ray

True. Morality is an invention of humans. Groups that made taboo certain behaviors within their group--such as murder, theft, incest, etc., had a competitive advantage over groups that didn't. Didn't take religion to bring morality to humanity. Just simple trial and error.

Damn, it's been hours, and no one's bitten.