Here are some thoughts and observations I have had of late. They deal with the struggle between self-centeredness and self-sacrifice, a movie, some books, and a budget proposal.
Representative Paul Ryan, who is promoting the new budget that would privatize Medicare and cut many programs you and your family likely depend upon, is a devoted follower of the teachings of Ayn Rand. He says it is because of her teachings that he is in politics; her books are required reading for all his staff.
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/80552/paul-ryan-and-ayn-rand
If you have not yet heard of Paul Ryan and his budget proposal, here is some info --
http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/
Ayn Rand was an atheist whose books preached the value of self-centeredness, get all you can for yourself, the rich deserve to be rich and don't owe anything to anyone else, and the poor and middle class are worthless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand
(This is not to say that I think atheists are all self-centered, but it is what Rand taught. And isn't it odd that the Party that wants to claim we are a "Christian Nation" and talks about "Christian values" when running for election, once in office, promotes the ideals of an atheist instead, ideals that are patently counter-Christian? Do you not find that
deceptive and
offensive?)
I think if you were to read Rand's novel
The Fountainhead, you would be scandalized. In this book, the “hero” is praised because he raped a woman, and after she thought about it for a while, she was glad he did. Then, he goes on to blow up a housing complex because it does not meet his artistic standards. The final 40 pages of the book are his testimony on the witness stand, defending what he did as his right to self-expression. Here is my more detailed discussion of this novel --
http://dnspeak.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-review-fountainhead-by-ayn-rand.html
Another of Rand’s books is called
Atlas Shrugged. The movie based upon this book will be released April 15. (
http://www.atlasshruggedpart1.com/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer) This is no mere coincidence; April 15 was chosen because it is tax day, and Ayn Rand is popular among the leaders of the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party. I expect that in coming months we will be liberally drenched in Ayn Rand-ism in the hope of making more palatable more harsh cuts in spending for the middle class, the disabled, the poor, and children, and even more tax cuts for the rich.
I can’t say the movie will be worth seeing for its entertainment value; I don’t know. But I do think it is worth all of us knowing who Ayn Rand was and what she taught, so we recognize Rand’s teachings when we hear them uttered by certain leaders. It comes down to deciding for ourselves whether we want to accept the politics of Ayn Rand devotees like Paul Ryan and leaders of the TEA Party. Whether you see the movie or not, I urge you to research Ayn Rand and the politicians who follow her.
Meanwhile, here is what Evangelical minister Jim Wallis has to say: The budget is a moral document that reflects our values. He is currently leading dozens of religious people and politicians in a hunger fast to call attention to the needs of the poor. (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKnt9gLN-io) More from Jim Wallis:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/this-is-not-fiscal-conser_b_827885.html.
Whose side are
you on -- Paul Ryan's or Jim Wallis'?
And for those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ, I think the question we have to ask ourselves today and in coming weeks is whether we are in favor of a budget that reflects the values of Ayn Rand or one that reflects the values of Jesus Christ.
I welcome your reflections and comments.
