Objectivist Leonard Peikoff Supports Kerry (Ayn Rand, libertarian alert)

Capitalism Magazine ^

[Commie Basher]

Objectivist Leonard Peikoff supports John Kerry! You have to go to his site to listen to his endorsement -- he didn't express it in text, but in audio, so you need Real Audio to hear it.

I didn't listen yet, but I'm guessing that it's because of Peikoff's insanely anti-Christian hatred. Objectivists hate Christians, unlike libertarians, many of whom are either Christian or tolerant of Christians (e.g. LewRockwell.com, Liberty magazine).

Note that Peikoff, like Ayn Rand, is a pro-war Objectivist, and not an anti-war libertarian. Objectivists have traditionally hated libertarians, have hated the Libertarian Party, and usually endorsed Republicans. Rand voted for Nixon over McGovern, and was a big fan of Ford.

[Mount Athos]

These people are all so completely irrelevant to the election, I don't know why you'd cite their opinon here. Then again, why am I replying to your message? What is the meaning of life? Where is my pizza?

[sully777]

I suppose you would call this The Virtue of Waffleness

[NationSoConceived]

Whyever not, 42, and elsewhere.

Snide remarks aside, Objectivism isn't entirely irrelevant. Theres a lot of good sense in it, as well as a lot bad ideas. It is certainly interesting to see other points of view, even if they are idiotic. We can always debunk the dumb ones.

[ScottM1968]

If true, his endorsement would fly in the face of the pro-business stance of Objectivism.

An argument can be made that the government has grown under President Bush (which would not appeal to Objectivists). However, a chunk of that is due to the unique nature of our current war (Homeland Security and all its associated laws and tentacles).

On the whole, Republicans are the best hope for the eventual smaller government Objectivism seeks. Unfortunately, many Republicans in office (both at the national level and at the state level here in Illinois) are quick to open the purse strings for any and every reason.

To me, it sounds like he is going the way of Goldwater in his most senior years--a bit nutty.

[Sonny M]

Who is Ayn Rand? I knows its an author, but thats pretty much it.

I know what a libertarian is, but what is an Objectivist, and why would these 2 groups hate each other, etc?

[BCrago66]

Peikoff is a many of zero achievement who has been sponging off Ayn Rand's legacy and adding nothing to it himself. Nobody gives a rat's ass who he supports.

[DC Bound]

He must have turned in his Objectivist card. Looking back on Atlas Shrugged, Kerry strikes me as Dagny Taggert's brother--the weasel who ran the train company into the ground because he had no spine and was full of socialist views. Great great book, always picks me up.

[DC Bound]

Refresh my memory. I remember folks like Ragnar and Galt and Dagny, who I always imagined looked like Audrey Hepburn but with Jeanne Kirkpatrick's toughness.

[Watery Tart]

Moreover, who is John Galt? ;o)

[HalleysFifth]

Got that right! Ayn Rand achieved a ton, like stepping up to testify in Congress against reds. I'll NEVER believe she would support a stinking RAT like Kerry.

[HalleysFifth]

Objectivists hate Christians

Total bulls--t!

[DC Bound]

That does it. I'm getting Atlas Shrugged out and I'm going to read it again tonight.

You gotto admit Galt's 40 page address just makes you want to find a venture capitalist and start any business at all, just to exert your genius...

[Watery Tart]

I knew he'd be a FReeper!