Paul Ryan, Ayn Rand, the New Right and Christianity

I don't think I have ever seen a more mismatched bunch. How can the "right" subscribe to the tenets of Christianity and at the same time adhere to the beliefs of rational self-interest, or what atheist, Ayn Rand called Objectivism? Shit, here's another term you might want to google: anarcho-capitalism. She liked this political philosophy best.

Anyone remember reading Ayn Rand in college? She's the newest hero for the "right." Sure she's been dead since 1982, but she is enjoying a resurgence among looney Republicans as of late. Our favorite loser vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan is a devout worshiper of Ayn Rand.

Ayn Rand

Did anyone tell Paul Ryan that his beloved Ayn Rand was a devout atheist? Does Mr. Ryan even know that in the 80's she denounced Ronald Reagan for mixing religion and politics and also criticized the president's views on abortion? How about the fact that she had been a staunch critic of the Vietnam war and argued that the US government had no right to regulate drugs?

Poor naive Paul Ryan; vice presidential loser. This self-professed roman-catholic gets to go back to congress, shouldn't he get laid-off? Ayn Rand would consider him a weak looser. We should make him stand in an unemployment line for a couple of weeks? I think it's bullshit he gets to run for two offices. I say if you are running for vice-president you shouldn't be running for congress as well. We should make it a rule.

Goofy looking catholic atheist lover

OK, enough of my selfish rant. Wait, wasn't Ayn Rand the one who, in her novels, made selfishness heroic, and caring for others a sign of weakness?

She was the ultimate pontificator of egoism and power-worship. Ayn Rand hated support for the poor and middle-class, just as the "new right" does today. She is often quoted by the "new right."

Consider Paul Ryan's latest catch-phrase, "...60% of Americans are takers not makers." Ayn Rand also referred to "takers" as parasites, looters and moochers.

Funny thing, some on the left claim that she received Social Security payments and Medicare benefits. Isn't that the ultimate selfish egoist. She was against you and me getting SS and Medicare, but SHE wasn't going to give it up.

How does Christianity fit into this? I don't see anything in common between the "new right" and Christianity. Full disclosure: I am a recovering catholic, commonly known as agnostic.

Let's start with Jesus, the "Christ" in Christianity, Did he not say we should take care of the feeble and the poor? Who was it who said: "...it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." I seem to remember Jesus going into the temple and kicking all the money changers out in a whirlwind of rage. Need I go on?

The Bible has countless verses on social justice and the poor. The god of Abraham didn't care for poverty or oppression. Here's an example from the old testament:

Deuteronomy 15:7 "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, rather be openhanded and freely lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."

None of this sounds like Ayn Rand or the "new right." Shit, I don't know about you, but I am sure glad Paul Ryan isn't our new vice-president...