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Lying About Rand and Social Security

In 2010 I discussed a smear that was done on Ayn Rand, one of the favorite targets in the world for smears and attacks. Typically her critics have invented lies about Rand or, at the very least, grossly distorted the facts.

Here’s a tip: If you’ve repeated the canard that “Ayn Rand was against government programs but received Social Security therefore she’s a hypocrite,” then you have precisely zero understanding of her philosophy and are simply repeating stupidity.

Rand never once said it was immoral to take from a system you’ve paid into.  What she did say was that being forced to pay into a system of benefits for others against your will was immoral, as was taking that which you didn’t earn.

In order to oversimplify Rand’s philosophy, you first have to understand it.

The linked piece does a damned good job because, unlike Rand’s critics, the writer actually has some knowledge of Rand beyond what they read as criticism from her detractors.

(Source: freestudents.blogspot.com)

12 August 2012 ·

• Tags
• ayn rand
• rand
• objectivism
• social security
• urban legend.