Nothing in Rand’s philosophy prevents charity. Objectivism is the American Way, which is also completely misunderstood.
Your post;
“Nothing in Rand’s philosophy prevents charity. Objectivism is the American Way, which is also completely misunderstood.”
My reply;
I agree with you.
I first read Rand as a nineteen year old sailor. I don’t think I have ever heard or read a Rand critic who seemed to understand what she actually wrote. Most criticism of Ayn Rand consists of setting fire to straw men. I am sure there is plenty to criticize just as there is with me and everyone else I have known but people can’t seem to see the facts about her in the smoke from all that burning straw. Mostly her critics seem to be guilty of most of the same sins of which they accuse her. I wonder how many of them have actually read a single book she wrote.
I don’t write this to defend Rand, she certainly does not need my minimal abilities to defend her and I’m sure there is much to criticize just as there is much to criticize about all of us. I just wish we could criticize the reality rather than burn a field of straw men.
Those who have actually read her writings should be able to look around at today’s world and recognize the things she warned of being played out in front of us. One point she stated that I can never forget is that FREE scientific inquiry is a redundancy and GOVERNMENTAL scientific inquiry is a contradiction in terms. If you cannot see the truth of that all around you then I don’t believe you are paying attention. The entire global warming fiasco is a great illustration of it.