I see Objectivism as analogous to the golden calf crafted by the Israelites to worship in Moses’ absence.
Here is the analogy: Just as making an object out of intrinsically valuable precious metal does not mean the object itself has positive value; similarly, including capitalism in her “philosophy” does not make it valuable.
Those are the truths I accept from Rand and the only ones I've ever spoken of.
Furthermore, I reject the use of the term "capitalism" because it is a term coined by Marx. Ours is not a system based on "capital." To say that it is, makes it easy to accept communism. Ours is a society based on our freedom to control the fruits of our own labor (another Marxian term). I only use these terms for expedience.
We should simply say, we own ourselves and our fruits, and be done with it. Capital is simply a symbol of exchange between one man and another in exchange for his labor. Rand speaks to that and I approve.
And I don't care if she eats mud in the front yard while shouting about carrot monsters coming out of the walls to get her or says she is Napolean.
Again, truth is truth.
Wheat/chaff.
p.s. And, in an attempt to stay on topic. The current battle we are waging is between the forces of Randian independence, self determination, and freedom vs. a Marxian system of control and the separating of men into masters and slaves.
So, vive le Q.
p.p.s. I am vaguely recalling that I heard there used to be heated debates over Rand on FR. Have I stumbled into one by mistake?