This is something I’m looking forward to watching. On Monday, November 2 Reason.tv will debut their new series “Radicals for Capitalism: Celebrating the Enduring Power of Ayn Rand’s Ideas.”
The series will feature exclusive interviews with Nathaniel Branden, Barbara Branden, Reason Foundation founder Robert W. Poole, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), as well as others.
[Note the video below may have a bit of a pause shortly after it opens, but it should only last a few seconds.]
I have to admit, I’m fascinated with the life and work of Ayn Rand. She was a woman of superior intellect who had a knack for ticking off the left and the right. If nothing else, she started a dialogue that continues to this day. The first time I read Atlas Shrugged it was like a light bulb came on, things I believed but hadn’t quite found a way to express were right there in black and white. She wove her philosophy into this epic tale, giving it more concrete meaning than a simple course in philosophy could ever do. Not to mention that the novel may be more relevant today than it was half a century ago.
Rand endured life under the totalitarian regime of the Soviets before escaping to the United States. She was a staunch capitalist who espoused the virtues of selfishness. While that may sound – well – selfish, in fact it’s a far more moral philosophy than that of forced altruism. Forcibly taking from one party to give it to a needier party used to be considered theft. Yet today, even churches are on board with forced altruism – as long as that theft provides health care to the uninsured without funding abortion, or welfare to the able bodied.
In a truly free society, people are free to give to the charities of their choice. If you have a homeless problem in your area, and you give to a homeless shelter believing it will keep your neighborhood safe at night, are you being altruistic or selfish? Either way, you’re helping the homeless. Why do you give to the Red Cross after a natural disaster? Because it makes you feel good? If so, are you being altruistic or selfish? There’s nothing wrong with doing good things for others because it makes you feel good, or keeps your neighborhood safe, or makes you think it will save your soul. Just don’t kid yourself about why you do such things. And don’t kid yourself into thinking politicians taking your money to buy votes makes that politician altruistic. In that case, it makes the politician an opportunistic thief.
Today we’re sorely in need of a shift in the national debate. We have to stop allowing our children to believe they’re entitled to anything they haven’t earned. Trust me, by the time the current leaders in Washington are done, there’s not going to be anything left for our children, other than a big tab.
The battle of ideas is difficult when your opponent’s ideas consist of bumper sticker slogans, but that’s no reason to give up. Quite the contrary, that’s why we have the good folks at Reason.tv – to help spread the message that individual rights and responsibilities are, and always will be, superior to the state.
Great write up, LC! You are a woman with a wonderful, thinking brain!! I definitely want to watch this.
Unfortunately, the Branden’s are documented liars, when it comes to Ayn Rand, so it will be interesting to hear what part they play in this program. “The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics” by James Valliant, is an excellent, well-researched book debunking the Branden’s stories of Rand; most notably Barbara Branden’s book, The Passion of Ayn Rand, which was made into a movie.
SO looking forward to the start of the Series tomorrow, you Phillies fan
LOL
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Why is it that people that have immigrated or escaped from oppressive statist/communist governments to the U.S. that I hear either in person, read of, on T.V., or on radio are clearest in observation of the moral beauty and essential declarations of free human spirit that our founding documents provide? Freedom anywhere is a powerful attractant, and I for one am pleased that some do not take it for granted.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Michigan – Isn’t it nice to know we’re out here?
Lisa – I never write about Rand’s personal life because I’ve only read the Brandens’ version. I’ll have to read Valliant’s book. I suspect that the Brandens were trying to capitilize on their relationship with Rand. I certainly want to hear both sides. Either way, I don’t believe her personal life needs to be injected into the debate on capitalism and individualism vs. statism/communisim/socialism/collectivism.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Oh and Michigan, I may have to quote you some day: “the moral beauty and essential declarations of free human spirit that our founding documents provide.” Well said, buddy!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Oh – and Lisa – I almost forgot! The World Series! It should be interesting that’s for sure. I don’t want to say more and jinx things for the Phillies! Go Phils!
My in-laws will be at Saturday’s game. They were planning to come here to visit until the Phillies won the NLCS. Oh well, we’ll see them next week. They have a ball at the games, especially when the PHILLIES win!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0