No; calling Ryan a hard-core Randian doesn’t make him one—his YEARS of telling people her books were a huge influence in his political formation (as recently as a year and a half ago,) and YEARS of giving her books to staff and interns to read —THAT makes him a hard-core follower. Recently, seeing how divisive her books would be to anybody but those already in his camp, he’s disingenuously tried to disentangle himself from his love affair with her. THAT part only makes him a calculating liar.
One need not be an objectivist to find Rand’s analysis of “the failures of leftism” apt. Many of us – including, I suspect, Paul Ryan – appreciate Rand’s genius without embracing her uncharitable view of what ought to be.
When my sons were in middle school, I gave each a copy of Atlas Shrugged, and told them there was a $100 dollar bill at the end of the book. We discussed the readings each evening: the amazing accuracy of her analysis of the leftist state and the potential flaws of her world without a charitable heart. My sons learned to distinguish charity from government, and are thus model citizens and intelligent voters.
No, I would say Ryan has NOT espoused much of Rand’s philosophy. Perhaps he has a passing interest in her economics, but Rand’s philosophy was far more reaching than that. It’s an all-or-nothing package.
randayn over 11 years ago
Team Gary Johnson! Because voting for the lesser of two evils means you’re still voting for evil!
NDeeZ over 11 years ago
No; calling Ryan a hard-core Randian doesn’t make him one—his YEARS of telling people her books were a huge influence in his political formation (as recently as a year and a half ago,) and YEARS of giving her books to staff and interns to read —THAT makes him a hard-core follower. Recently, seeing how divisive her books would be to anybody but those already in his camp, he’s disingenuously tried to disentangle himself from his love affair with her. THAT part only makes him a calculating liar.
Comic Minister Premium Member over 11 years ago
To who Carmen?
jbmlaw01 over 11 years ago
One need not be an objectivist to find Rand’s analysis of “the failures of leftism” apt. Many of us – including, I suspect, Paul Ryan – appreciate Rand’s genius without embracing her uncharitable view of what ought to be.
jbmlaw01 over 11 years ago
When my sons were in middle school, I gave each a copy of Atlas Shrugged, and told them there was a $100 dollar bill at the end of the book. We discussed the readings each evening: the amazing accuracy of her analysis of the leftist state and the potential flaws of her world without a charitable heart. My sons learned to distinguish charity from government, and are thus model citizens and intelligent voters.
joe vignone over 11 years ago
Team Ron Paul!
common sanse over 11 years ago
jbmlaw you are an idiot
Tyrnn over 11 years ago
Bill Nye 2012. FOR SCIENCE!
Dr Lou Premium Member over 11 years ago
Stantis is clearly marketing delusion…
drewdane over 11 years ago
“That rules out team Obama…”
Wow. Un. Be. Freekin’. Lievable.
On what planet does Mr. Stantis reside, anyway?
KPOM over 11 years ago
No, I would say Ryan has NOT espoused much of Rand’s philosophy. Perhaps he has a passing interest in her economics, but Rand’s philosophy was far more reaching than that. It’s an all-or-nothing package.