RE: Ayn Rand blamed for current state of America
June 14, 2021 at 8:34 pm
(This post was last modified: June 14, 2021 at 8:40 pm by Brian37.)
(June 13, 2021 at 10:24 pm)Foxaire Wrote: A clinical psychologist explains how Ayn Rand seduced young minds and helped turn the US into a selfish nation
rawstory.com
Quote:Only rarely in U.S. history do writers transform us to become a more caring or less caring nation. In the 1850s, Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was a strong force in making the United States a more humane nation, one that would abolish slavery of African Americans. A century later, Ayn Rand (1905-1982) helped make the United States into one of the most uncaring nations in the industrialized world, a neo-Dickensian society where healthcare is only for those who can afford it, and where young people are coerced into huge student-loan debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.
Rand’s impact has been widespread and deep. At the iceberg’s visible tip is the influence she’s had over major political figures who have shaped American society. In the 1950s, Ayn Rand read aloud drafts of what was later to become Atlas Shrugged to her “Collective,” Rand’s ironic nickname for her inner circle of young individualists, which included Alan Greenspan, who would serve as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board from 1987 to 2006.
In 1966, Ronald Reagan wrote in a personal letter, “Am an admirer of Ayn Rand.” Today, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) credits Rand for inspiring him to go into politics, and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) calls Atlas Shrugged his “foundation book.” Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) says Ayn Rand had a major influence on him, and his son Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is an even bigger fan. A short list of other Rand fans includes Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; Christopher Cox, chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission in George W. Bush’s second administration; and former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford.
But Rand’s impact on U.S. society and culture goes even deeper.
Read more at the link, it's a long article.
Ayn Rand can most certainly be claimed to the start of the selfish bent of America in politics. But to be fair, I also hate the idiots who sport "Che" avatars, you know, the guy who lead to Castro's Cuba.
(June 14, 2021 at 2:34 pm)Ranjr Wrote: Individualism is a strong asset but fails when taken to extreme, due to the loss of cooperation. See recent presidency.
She certainly influenced the libertarian movement of the last 20 years. I've noted several republican friends hide behind the libertarian tag, while climate-denying and calling for deregulation. It's as if they never heard of robber barons.
Most importantly, she was the inspiration for Rush 2112. As Geddy Lee commented years later, "Then, you go on to read other things."
The problem in modern America is that everything has become a black and white/either or proposition.
It is not wrong to be selfish to save money. It is wrong however, to go beyond that self preservation and let greed take over.
If you are struggling you cant always help others, in that context you cant help others until you stabilize yourself. But when you get to the wealth of Jeff Bezos, that is beyond self preservation, and becomes narcissism. Ayn Rand gave a voice to narcissists.
