Ayn Rand
"Since there is no such entity as 'the public,' since the public is merely a number of individuals, any claimed or implied conflict of 'the public interest' with private interests means that the interests of some men are to be sacrificed to the interests and wishes of others."
“The Monument Builders,” The Virtue of Selfishness, 88.
This statement means that "public interest" is a negotiated contract with the individual in free societies. Public service as a vocation is an individual choice of value. The government should not make demands upon individuals without individual consent. Otherwise, special interests over-ride indvidual rights, and promote corrupting influence on government.
Posts
Pslam 76
8 hours ago
2 comments:
I remember hearing that Ayn Rosenbaum/ Rand used to take young lovers, and she liked them to poo on her back. I always remember thinking what horrible self esteem she must have had.
Cheers! RichGriese.NET
Rich,
I agree. Self esteem isn't resistant, it just is. So, there doesn't have to be a "fight". But, when one has lived under oppression, as she did, it is virtuous to have self respect enough to resist collective framing of one's life. Isn't that holding the other person accountable to treat you with dignity?
I have also heard that when she got sick with lung cancer, she took public assistance to help with medical expenses. So, yes, she probably had many problems with consistency.
Post a Comment