Who is John Galt

Kate wrote: I read Ayn Rand years ago, as well, and was lured in by her romantic philosophy. But then I realized that there are those in the world that are unable to take care of themselves. She had no answer for that, as far as I could see. We may all be created equal in the eyes of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, but in actuality, we do not all have the same ability to rise to the top.

Plus, I didn't appreciate her views on women as objects, especially when she wrote the rape scene in The Fountainhead. Also, there was a phrase in Atlas Shrugged where she insinuated that a wife/mother's room & board was in exchange for sexually servicing her husband. That shut the door for me.

Kate wrote: We may all be created equal in the eyes of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, but in actuality, we do not all have the same ability to rise to the top.

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In the sentence I quoted what are you trying to say.?

I really hope the movie does a good job conveying what Rand wrote but even if it doesn't it will be great to watch with others and discuss afterwards. I am a little worried too much will have to be glossed over, even if the movie is only one third of the book.

For those on the right who think she is to be admired:

Rand's untraditionally Republican stance as a pro-choice atheist,[167

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand

I always wondered why those who profess selfishness in all other parts of their life are against abortion, at least Rand was consistant.

neptunechimney wrote:

Kate wrote: We may all be created equal in the eyes of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, but in actuality, we do not all have the same ability to rise to the top.

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In the sentence I quoted what are you trying to say.?

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

In the Declaration of Independence, it says "All men are created equal." While we may think we are all equal, (and in courts of law, we are usually treated as equal,) in real life, people have vastly different abilities and talents. Some people have amazing intellectual abilities, others have below standard minds. If we live in Ayn Rand's world, everybody would have the ability to rise to the top and be "captains of industry." In reality, that's not true, which is something she never addresses in her books - at least from what I can remember.

There will always be those in society that are incapable of being able to look out for them selves. That's my point.

Kate wrote:

neptunechimney wrote:

Kate wrote: We may all be created equal in the eyes of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, but in actuality, we do not all have the same ability to rise to the top.

.

In the sentence I quoted what are you trying to say.?

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

In the Declaration of Independence, it says "All men are created equal." While we may think we are all equal, (and in courts of law, we are usually treated as equal,) in real life, people have vastly different abilities and talents. Some people have amazing intellectual abilities, others have below standard minds. If we live in Ayn Rand's world, everybody would have the ability to rise to the top and be "captains of industry." In reality, that's not true, which is something she never addresses in her books - at least from what I can remember.

There will always be those in society that are incapable of being able to look out for them selves. That's my point.

We all know that people have vastly different abilities and talents- just what are you saying? Are you saying that government should play the role of equalizer? If you believe this- you are a socialist.

I don't believe we all need to be equal- some women are more pretty than others- should we disfigure the best ones- or make the ugly ones more pretty by forcing them to have surgery?

BearMtnHIB wrote: We all know that people have vastly different abilities and talents- just what are you saying? Are you saying that government should play the role of equalizer? If you believe this- you are a socialist.

I don't believe we all need to be equal- some women are more pretty than others- should we disfigure the best ones- or make the ugly ones more pretty by forcing them to have surgery?

No, I am not saying anything about the government. I am merely pointing out that I think Ayn Rand's philosophy is incomplete. What is her solution for those that are mentally handicapped? What about those who are disabled? Should they be left to starve in the woods? After all, they might not be able to provide for themselves and would thus be a "looter" on society.

It's easy to look at difficult situations with a black/white viewpoint, as she does, but reality is much different. People have different abilities and not everyone can be a Howard Roark or Dagny Taggart.

I don't look to rand for the answers to all questions- only for a sound moral philosophy by which the country could be working at it's best capability- the best result for everyone as a whole.

The problem of some not being able to care for themselves has numerous solutions that do not involve a government solution. In fact- until the 1940's - government was not involved in those issues and somehow the world did not stop turning.

One thing is for sure- we are taking care of millions of people today who indeed can care for themselves- but find it easier to become a member of our welfare state instead. How much better would our economy be if the producers were relieved of their lazy looting? Even if those folks were just flippin burgers- they would not be a drag on the rest of us who are trying.

It is immoral for government to have these people in the welfare state.

BearMtnHIB wrote: IThe problem of some not being able to care for themselves has numerous solutions that do not involve a government solution. In fact- until the 1940's - government was not involved in those issues and somehow the world did not stop turning.

nope, it didn't stop turning, those people just fell ill and died, how convenient.

I believe it was the sight of soup lines, and old people and children begging in the streets, of illness going untreated that led to the social programs we have today.....back then people actually cared and wanted their nation to do better......now, some want to send us back to those good old days.

And the result of the social programs we have today- a nation in so much debt that we all will suffer a lower standard of living- a percentage of our citizens in poverty today just as high as it was in the days of the soup lines.

The social programs didn't work- the poor are still poor- only now the rest of us will be poor along with them.