Randism

Ayn Rand was a Russian from a prosperous family who emigrated to the United States. Through her novels, such as Atlas Shrugged, and her non-fiction, such as The Virtue of Selfishness, she explained a philosophy she called Objectivism. This holds that the only moral course is pure self-interest. We owe nothing, she insists, to anyone, even to members of our own families. She described the poor and weak as refuse and parasites, and excoriated anyone seeking to assist them. Apart from the police, the courts and the armed forces, there should be no role for government: no social security, no public health or education, no public infrastructure or transport, no fire service, no regulations, no income tax.

I knew Ayn Rand was on someone's radar. I first came across her name with regard to the band Rush and their track Trees. I didn't know she was this radical. No-one wonder she is a pin-up to some people.