No, extreme idealism, while inspiring, never works in practice. This applies equally to Ayn Rand's ideas. I'd say that idealism is actually a very dangerous destructive force.
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Ayn Rand Forecasts Economic Disaster from Collectivism & Socialism
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morganist
Quote from zdreg:
there is a new book with the title I am John Galt which should be of interest.
Although I don't like Objectivism I think Atlas Shrugged was a classic in its own right. I think there are a lot of good attributes aside from the main point. The quotes and sayings like, "Who is John Galt" are classics. I often think that if someone is aware of that saying they are if nothing else well read.
Quote from intradaybill:
Unfortunately the world is much more complicated than the mind of any philosopher.
I agree with you that over-simplifying an issue is a problem. But on the flip-side, claiming that things are "complex" is a well-established effective method of deception (or rationalization). Sometimes, the emperor really does have no clothes.
Quote from mostlysilent:
I agree with you that over-simplifying an issue is a problem. But on the flip-side, claiming that things are "complex" is a well-established effective method of deception (or rationalization). Sometimes, the emperor really does have no clothes.
That's a quote worth saving, remembering.
Quote from bigdavediode:
An interesting theory, until one looks at the statistics:
Norway is, if not the richest, one of the richest countries in the world -- with high taxes and lots of socialistic policies.
Sweden has a lower income per capita than the US -- until you accommodate for wealth disparity, then they're richer than the average Joe in the US. Again, high taxes and lots of socialistic policies.
Finland, same.
Ideologies fail.
For every 1 Scandinavian Superstar I can point to 20 Countries where high-taxes and huge Government didn't work. Outliers exist in any theory. They don't disprove anything.
Oil revenue accounts for 25% of Norways GDP. Finland, Denmark, Germany and Sweden all enjoy relatively homogeneous populations who are exceptionally upright. Meaning they don't abuse the system and maintain an exceptional work ethic despite crushing taxes. It's "their way". Further, cost of living in Nordic countries is sky-high. Sure, they're rich. But the price of a house, car, gas, food is ridiculously expensive making their apparent "wealth" go only half as far.
To suggest humans aren't motivated by self-interest, is complete horseshit. Yes, Socialism can excel in rare cases. But that's all it is. A rarity. A hiccup. If Socialism/Communism truly sparked the driving force of Man, Cuba, the Soviet Union and the PRC under Mao would have risen to great economic heights. But they failed completely. The Soviet Union ended in disaster because people couldn't taste the spoils of their own effort. They got a paycheck whether they slept on the job or worked a 12 hour day. So everyone cheated and the system collapsed. That's how most Communist experiments end.
âYou cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.â
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 â 2005
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 â 2005
Excellent video and looks like she was not only correct in her assessment of the future of the US, that the Collective have used Government to destroy Free competition, the Collective is using the Government to destroy the constitution which keeps an Individual
free, the Collective and those in the Corporate world who champion the Collective are using "Force" through the Government to destroy competition, get bailed out while others fall and to continue to (GE) prosper (GM) on the backs of Taxpayers (AIG, BA, CITI, GS etc).
Rand is not only right but she creates such as stir among the Parasites, the Liberals, that they cringe and try to discredit her with weak logic, weak "Fairy land" philosophy and very weak premises against Capitalism.
free, the Collective and those in the Corporate world who champion the Collective are using "Force" through the Government to destroy competition, get bailed out while others fall and to continue to (GE) prosper (GM) on the backs of Taxpayers (AIG, BA, CITI, GS etc).
Rand is not only right but she creates such as stir among the Parasites, the Liberals, that they cringe and try to discredit her with weak logic, weak "Fairy land" philosophy and very weak premises against Capitalism.
Quote from Random.Capital:
There hasn't been a Keynesian in US fiscal management in at least 40 years.
Except within both of the two main parties. One thing that both parties could agree on in 2008 was that BAILING OUT THE BANKING SYSTEM and FISCAL STIMULUS was required.
So thanks for the random but inaccurate observation.
Communism Socialism Capitalism.
What's the difference among any economic order when the systems in place are always organized to favor a few at the expense of the rest???
In the US the top 1% rules.
In Cuba the top 1% rules.
Only in Europe & Canada we see little inequality. But of course.......they are one step away from being total communist.
But we all like the German socialist cars, the French socialist wines and Italian socialist olive oil.
What's the difference among any economic order when the systems in place are always organized to favor a few at the expense of the rest???
In the US the top 1% rules.
In Cuba the top 1% rules.
Only in Europe & Canada we see little inequality. But of course.......they are one step away from being total communist.
But we all like the German socialist cars, the French socialist wines and Italian socialist olive oil.