There was a very good article in the WSJ today about Ayn Rand.
Remembering the Real Ayn Rand
When Rand created the character of Wesley Mouch, it's as though she was anticipating Barney Frank (D., Mass). Mouch is the economic czar in "Atlas Shrugged" whose every move weakens the economy, which in turn gives him the excuse to demand broader powers. Mr. Frank steered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to disaster with mandates for more lending to low-income borrowers. After Fannie and Freddie collapsed under the weight of their subprime mortgage books, Mr. Frank proclaimed last year: "The way to cure that is to give us more authority." Mouch couldn't have said it better himself.So true. So true.
I have pointed out more than a few times on this blog that being a Conservative Libertine means that you are embraced by neither the Left or the Right. In this article the author, Donald Luskin, reminds us that Ayn Rand also rankled the Left and the Right.
Rand was not a conservative or a liberal: She was an individualist. "Atlas Shrugged" is, at its heart, a plea for the most fundamental American ideal—the inalienable rights of the individual. On tax day, with our tax dollars going to big government and subsidies for big business, let's remember it's the celebration of individualism that has kept "Atlas Shrugged" among the best-selling novels of all time.Not to get carried away with labels like our liberal friends tend to do, but I prefer the term Conservative Libertine over individualist. Individualist does sound a bit selfish, and that's not what Ayn Rand was advocating. Conservative Libertine I think better conveys the message that your ideology puts you on both sides of the fence. It just depends what the issue is.
Atlas Shrugs Posts
It's Happening.............
Another Victory for the looters.
Mediocrity Trumps Winning
Going Galt
Reason.com: She’s Back!
Atlas Shrugged - The Movie! Finally!
Update: And, this post would not be complete without some references to the WhoIsJohnGalt blog. It seems as though John has returned from the far side of Galt's Gulch just in time for the movie.
Welcome back John!
