Sunday, October 28

Obama On Paul Ryan’s Hero: Ayn Rand Is Something You Pick Up When You’re "17 or 18 and Feeling Misunderstood"

I love this, and I'm so glad that Obama had the stones to say it:
"Q: What do you think Paul Ryan’s obsession with her work would mean if he were vice president?
"Obama: Well, you’d have to ask Paul Ryan what that means to him. Ayn Rand is one of those things that a lot of us, when we were 17 or 18 and feeling misunderstood, we'd pick up. Then, as we get older, we realize that a world in which we’re only thinking about ourselves and not thinking about anybody else …  that’s a pretty narrow vision. It's not one that, I think, describes what’s best in America. Unfortunately, it does seem as if sometimes that vision of a 'you’re on your own' society has consumed a big chunk of the Republican Party."
I suppose I run the risk of being labeled an intellectual snob when I say this, but I just can't help myself: If you still hold on to Rand's philosophy as you progress into your 20s and 30s, you have a serious disconnect from the rest of the world, and might need to be treated for your blinding narcissism.

Link to original post, in The Daily Dolt.