Letter: Is there any wonder? | Letters to the Editor – ECM Publishers

Wonder why were at the age of trying to discern among truth, lies and uncertainty? Consider continuous false claims; some see reality differently; our perceptions arent always the direct representations of the external world; technological developments abet warping of truth and normalization of lies; social media amplifies toxic misinformation on an unprecedented scale; cyberattacks on election machinery and voter-registration systems threaten not only election outcomes but our democracy itself. Why?

The most important political philosopher of our time is the novelist Ayn Rand. Her books Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead markedly influenced some of the best-known neoliberals in America, like Alan Greenspan, architect of the worlds economy after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Charles and David Koch, Paul Ryan, Clarence Thomas, Ronald Reagan, even President Trump, Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo are acolytes of the Rand way of looking at our nation and acting according to Rands principles.

What Rand teachings drive current opinion-makers?

Too many people are parasites who persistently avoid either purpose or reason; they ought to perish. Humans have no inherent positive value other than how much money they make. If someone is on welfare, he has negative value.

Selfishness is good. Watch out only for yourself. You have no responsibility for the fate of others outside your immediate family.

As Reagan summarized, The government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem.

Solidarity is a trap. Taxes are theft. Government is a swindler out to fleece people.

Rands acolytes hate weak, unproductive people and socialist policies and admire strong, can-do profit-makers.

Altruisms the poison of death in the blood of western civilization.

Climate change is inconceivable; it gets in the way of profits.

Truths not profitable. Lies are OK if they drive taxes on the rich toward zero. Making the world uncertain forces people who are worthless and on welfare toward self-elimination. Now you no longer have to wonder why Trump and his appointees act the way they do.

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Letter: Is there any wonder? | Letters to the Editor - ECM Publishers