This is the second diary having to do with the writings of Ayn Rand and the positions taken by the Tea Party. One of the Tea Party's congressional leaders, Paul Ryan, is on record as favoring Rand's philosophy of Objectivism.
I think Objectivism has some redeeming value. I don't believe it could be fully implemented because of the contradictions it embraces. Still, I agree with much that Rand says about individual rights (see "RE: Rights, why the tea party will fail America" 9/5/14, 12:31 p.m.). I also like much of what she wrote about the duties and functions of government. I'm saving her views on the economy for the next diary.
Rand was anti-totalitarian. This may help to explain her emphasizing individual rights and her favoring of laissez faire economics. This diary will explore Rand's view of the function of government and taxation. All quotes below are from the Ayn Rand Lexicon.
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