There are lots of blogs on the Net today. There is one called Atlas Shrugs, and it is very disheartening. Anyone that knows anything about Ayn Rand and her ideals would know that Ayn would be appalled at the state of affairs today in our so-called capitalist country.

Ayn Rand was an atheist. She so declared her non-belief because religion in its extreme is a detriment to society. And, let's face it; if someone is touting religion today they are extreme. It's 'my way or the highway buddy', which is evident from the way the current administration has borrowed this tactic to question people's patriotism.

Ayn was for free thought. It was... is, one of the basic concepts of her ideal. Free thought includes open, honest discourse, between INDIVIDUALS, with a willingness to discuss another point of view. Such a stance demands that one not take sides on any issue unless they are willing to admit there may be ideas as yet unheard that will shape our own beliefs into a new direction.

Ayn Rand stands for Capitalism. As I said before, she would be appalled with the state of affairs today. America is no more capitalist than I am a superman. Capitalism is free, unhindered commerce between individuals in a society. One example today is enough to show we do NOT live the capitalist ideal. Lobbyists. There are so many fucking lobbyists in DC today it is a wonder Congress gets anything done at all. Members of our Congress today are nothing more then bitches to anyone with money to hand out. That's right, they are fucking DOORMATS to special interests. A government's purpose, as stated in our Constitution, is to protect the inalienable rights of its citizens, nothing more. Special interests have turned it into a circus. Democrats AND Republicans both have got the ring in the nose, attached so the lobbyists can attach THEIR chains and lead them around like the bitches they have become.

That is why the label on this blog irks me. This woman that touts Ayn Rand blatantly warps her ideals. She uses the name as a shield, then completely disregards the basic tenets of Ayn Rand, and lashes out from behind said shield hoping - demanding - that it lends credence to what she has to say.

Back to individualism - it dictates that we come to conclusions individually, after weighing all options put before us. and actively sought by us. It means taking the initiative to have your OWN views, shaping them as you garner ever more data from the world around you. This woman that runs the blog disregards this, because she is partisan as hell. She calls all others extreme, implying her views - her SIDE - is the only true path to the moral high ground. I have read a lot of her blog, listened to a lot of her sound bites, and it is quite evident that only in label is she different from those that tout Islam.

On another note, there was an interview with Ann Coulter, another extremist, with a New York paper. This is what she says...

There is no more a "political middle" than there is a family in America with 2.3 children. People with opinions take sides. Contrary to what you've heard, it's actually more important to stand for something than it is for everybody to "just get along."

This to me is irresponsible. It is, after all, Ann Coulter, and it is obvious she doesn't want anyone to 'get along', because then nobody would listen to her blather. She gets it partially wrong. It IS important to have an opinion, to stand for something. But that means that what you stand for may be something you alone stand for, and it is entirely possible that you cannot take ANY sides, because your opinions are your own, and there are a myriad of issues to deal with, and chances are you will not agree with everyone all the time.

Ok I'm done. I just had to get that off my chest. I may even email this woman, not Ann, the other one, and ask her why she misuses such an icon of what America actually stands for.