During a conversation with the NME in 1977, Peart was asked about his reasons for basing Rushs song 2112 on the work of right-wing philosopher Ayn Rand.
I recall that NME interview very well because the conversation was great, Peart recalls in an interview in the forthcoming new edition of Classic Rock. And we all felt totally betrayed after, because we had a lovely time with the guy. I remember him being so courteous. It was so amicable. As far as I was concerned, we were just having an intellectual conversation. But these things are wide open to misinterpretation, and that was a classic case.
Peart, who has since distanced himself from Rands writings, added: I know where I fall politically. And I define it better now: Im a libertarian, but a bleeding-heart libertarian.
I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I dont want people to have to suffer. Its as simple as that. If people are suffering and I can help, I want to. But heres the difference between being an idealist and a realist. Idealistically, I believe that we should help people. But realistically, do I think that government will do that? No.
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/rushs-neil-peart-i-was-betrayed/
Based on an interview I recently read, I believe he has moved quite a bit to the right since then.
He was asked about the push for amnesty and he said he doesn’t believe in borders at all. He says Rand was a phase that he now rejects. I still like the band and have in spite of Peart’s constant atheist message, but he is on the right no longer.