| | Oh, it's good to be back.
Pantalaimon, it's funny that you ask the question. I just happened to be reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" and came across a mention by Rand of then-California Governor Reagan. She described him as "...a seem[ingly] promising public figure" and follows with ..."I do not know him and cannot speak for the future. It is difficult to avoid a certain degree of skepticism: we have been disappointed too often. But whether he lives up to the promise or not, the people's need, quest for and response to clear-cut ideas remain a fact."
This was all in reference to Reagan being elected to Governor based--in Rand's probably correct opinion--on one good speech he gave that presented "clear-cut ideals", displaying a much-needed divergence form the moral equivalency and philosophical uncertainty running rampant in those days (1966). I Read the Time article as well, noting the writer described Reagan as having "a taste for Ayn Rand". I think this means he applauded Rand's upholding of productive achievement as a value, and morality as something which is real--as opposed to the majority of philosophers and novelists. I doubt he liked her atheism much, and likely would never have publicly stated having an affinity for such a heathen. It's up to us to decide whether Reagan "live[d] up to the promise or not". I think no.
J
|
|
