Republican Congressman Paul Ryan is trying to rewrite his past statements about author and philosopher, Ayn Rand. MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell explained the contradiction in the latest Rewrite.
Paul Ryan rewrites himself over Ayn Rand
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Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:52 PM EDT
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Great rewrite! I've had several "discussions" about Ayn Rand and some of her political supporters. Paul Ryan, Alan Greenspan, Mark Cuban, Father & Son Paul and no doubt those that may not acknowledge that they follow her tenets (some of these folks more than others obviously). I read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead back in the day which left me with a sour taste for many of her beliefs. Of course, many, if not most, of her teachings conveniently add their own twists, such as being ultra pro-life. Or anti-choice as I prefer to think of it.
It definitely wasn't the atheism that bothered me in the least, it was the selfishness and backwards thinking by a woman who was ultimately revealed as a very unhinged person, to put it mildly. At least those folks who blindly support anyone who follows Rand could do is at least look at Wikipedia.
Ayn Rand was in favor of abortion...quite passionately, actually, I heard her talk about this in person...
Wow. You nailed it, Lawrence. The leader of the young guns – another revered one in the GOP - exemplifies the height of hypocrisy in that party, and Romney’s enthusiastic embrace of this man and his budget initiatives (“marvelous”) typify how foolish the GOP think their constituents are. Wonder how much play this will get in the media?
Sadly THEIR constituents ARE fools or hypocrits or liers, or just plain self absorbed!
I also read (in Huffington Post, I think) that Ryan said he gave Ayn Rand books as Christmas presents. Has anyone pointed out the irony (or even cynicism?) in giving atheist books for Christmas?
I've pointed out this horrid irony frequently in my comments on the Huffington Post over the past few years. You might appreciate the following quote from my article, "CRUSADER CHRISTIANITY, TEA PARTY CULT, & THE LEFT," which I published on Open Salon back in August:
Here's a quote from an article I published a year ago in Open Salon in April 2011. It's entitled: "Obama to Ayn Rand/Paul Ryan/Eric Cantor: 'IN YOUR FACE.'" I wrote it after OBAMA gave his BUDGET SPEECH in April 2011 condemning Ryan's Budget - TO HIS FACE. Recall that Obama invited Ryan, Cantor et al to sit in the front row as he delivered the speech, the video of which I've embedded in my article and is well worth watching. Here's the quote:
And as an Athiest I am offended by both Ryan and Rand. I embrace the helping of my fellow man just because it is the right thing to do. My only incentive is the desire to do good for good's sake. If I score some Karma points along the way or gain the respect of other decent selfless people great.
I agree with you 100%.
JESUITS TO AYN RAND/PAUL RYAN: "IN YOUR FACE"
As I've blogged on Huffington Post, as a Jesuit-trained Catholic, I'm proud that my Georgetown brethren set RYAN straight about Jesus' TRUE teachings vs apostasy of Ryan's "goddess," AYN RAND.
RAND portrayed FDR, JFK, "government," "unions" as "collectivist," "communist," "socialist," "fascist" while personally benefiting from Social Security and Medicare.
RAND lives through current CONSERVATIVE DISCOURSE, which applies same terms to anyone opposing their PLOT to PRIVATIZE THE PUBLIC SPHERE (e.g. schools, parks, water, prisons, Social Security, Medicare, etc.), and RAND's "CAPITALIST IDEAL" of NARCISSISTIC HYPER-RATIONALITY as basis of human nature.
We saw that "nature" practiced by German NaziSSAryan-Supremacists, and American serial-killier, William Hickman, whom RAND idolized, adopting his motto – "WHAT'S GOOD FOR ME IS RIGHT."
THAT'S THE UNDERLYING CREDO OF RYAN/REPUBLICANS and TEA PARTY, which they mask in false form of "Conservative Christianity," which has excommunicated the GOSPELS OF JESUS and supplanted them with Rand's "ATLAS SHRUGGED."
THAT'S NOT the basis on which to build a Civilized Society based on TRUE human nature, which is fundamentally relational and social, with "rationality" and "emotions" inter-meshed, along with "ego" and "society." In other words, we are all parts/wholes of even greater parts/wholes – all the way up and all the way down.
It's time we embrace our TRUE NATURE and renounce the awful progeny of Rand's disturbed views.
(For more, please see my articles on Open Salon and Huffington Post)
Excellent, Job, Lawrence. More people need to learn about Ayn Rand, her anti-altruism philosophy, and her influence on so many prominent Republicans (and right wing commentators) today.
Lawrence, I saw your program tonight on Ryan, and you called him a liar with regard to his stance on Ayn Rand. Is it possible that when he said he rejected her philosophy, he was referring to her Atheist view but he was totally absorbed with her individualistic approach to society and capitalism.
I haven't read anything by her, I'm only getting info from the other comments, and she sounds very controversial, but hey, he can be into what ever he chooses; you don't have to like it or vote for him. From what I see, I think you're off base on this one, doesn't appear to me he is lying and if that's true, that's some pretty shabby reporting.
I suppose that is possible but if it is true then he is a very stupid man. Rand's economic and social philosophy cannot be divorced from her atheism.
Ayn Rand based her characters on a serial murderer and child rapist with whom she was in love and perhaps even had an affair. The only other philosophy that approaches Ayn Rand's virulent hate embodied into thought is Nazism. I'm not kidding about that and I think the comparison is more than fair.
Ayn Rand's beliefs taken to their logical conclusion would result in a holocaust to rival that of the Nazis. Make no mistake about that.
"I haven't read anything by her"
You might want to begin with the rape scene in which Roark beats and rapes the female lead and then justifies that rape by claiming that her "no" really meant "yes" and that she secretly wanted to be brutally raped.
Certain people like Ayn Rand because it validates their sociopathy and gives them permission to act out their narcissistic fantasies.
Vince: After perusing Ryan's budget, the logical conclusion is as Lawrence deduced, Ryan is a liar. Ryan was taken to task by his clergy for his budget and the burdens he put on cutting social programs - the Ayn Rand philosophy, which is also the repub/tparty base, For ME, not thee.
Ryan is a liar. How can anyone disagree. I am sorry that the person who thinks that Ryan did not lie misunderstood what Lawrence said.
Thank you Lawrence for reporting on this very important subject. Ayn Rand defected from Russia at a time of Communist rule, it's not by mistake that she would believe in individualism. Let's hypothetically remove religion from the picture, and you need not be a history buff to know America was not built on individualism. Our capitalist country has thrived on the ability to bring people together, and as a result we live in the greatest country on earth. However I will say if you observe the trends that have developed over the past thirty years, you'll discover our country is headed toward an individualism, dictatorial state. Yes I am talking about the 1%, those that live by the belief, money rules, and "He who has the money makes all the rules." Rules, or Laws in this case, that benefit only the 1%, put our country at risk of becoming a dictatorial run state, guided by the 1% that have become super wealthy thanks to those politicians that are on the receiving end of their political donations. (Koch Brothers and their endorsed Republican Politicians = Individualism Capitalist).
SHALOM ALEICHEM!!!
I once posted that the Capitalism is in DIRECT CONFLICT with the principles of 'christianity'... And now, Paul Ryan, through his 'self interested' budget, based on the Ayn Rand 'theology' that he holds so dear, and is the basis (per his own admission) to his legislative 'thought', has been exposed... He has 'hidden' under the veil of being a follower of the Catholic 'Faith' to gain the support of the 'religious right', only to be found out by the archived video/audio tapes, and 'brought to light' by the same 'group' he professed as his 'Religious Foundation'... IF IT WERE NOT FOR CORPORATE AMERICA, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD NOT EXIST...
Ayn Rand shrugged as she collected her Social Security check.
Paul Ryan the example of Bento Mussolini's, the leader of Fascist Italy from 1920-1945, quote. "Fascism is the merger of Corporation's and the State".
On Morning Joe today, they announced that Paul Ryan will be a guest next Monday. Here's the message I sent to the MJ show:
After the ridiculous amount of time you spent covering the Reverend Wright and birther garbage being thrown at President Obama, the least you can do is give a few moments to Paul Ryan's problem with the Catholic bishops. When he's in front of your cameras next week, ask him to explain his very real philosophical affair with Ayn Rand. The American people deserve to know what inspired his vicious budget.
If you're too lazy to research Ryan's self-avowed worship of an atheist, just ask Lawrence O'Donnell to show you the evidence. It's relevant, especially since you saw fit to read Gerson's op-ed urging Congress to give Ryan's budget a chance-a budget inspired by a sociopathic atheist.
Since the Catholic bishops called him out on it, Ryan has lied about his long, well-documented devotion to Rand. I expect you to ask him why he's lying about it now, and I'm not alone. Your credibility is a stake.
Thank you! Very well said. Joe ask him as a Catholic, how can he dismiss the teaching of Christ as being the good shepard for all his flock not just the ones who are afluent.
Loved it lawrence.Ryan and mitt ticket perfect.A mormon and a atheist.Where are the religious demons a k a the g o p self righteous christinnans now?
good job lawrence. i enjoyed be informed about something i did not know. being educated is one of the of the joys of being and living in a democrated society.
god bless america.
I think Paul Ryan has demonstrated that we cannot assume that some one is a true disciple of Christ simply because they are affiliated with a church, be it the Roman Catholic Church. Presbyterians, Methodist, Free Evangelical or Baptist.
Lets take a closer look at the myth of Paul Ryan’s courage, and the colossal con-job his budget represents. My favorite myth is; the courage he has shown by his willingness to tackle the third-rail of politics, gutting Social Security and Medicare. It is also incredible to me that the national media repeats this courage baloney.
Ryan’s persona is more attuned to the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. You see, for Ryan’s political career, the backlash is non-existent. In the district Ryan represents, the majority of voters could care less about Social Security and Medicare. You could make the case that this outrageous budget plan benefits him personally.
What happens to other Republicans whose districts aren’t as red, if the truth be exposed, is of no consequence to Captain Courageous. When Paul Ryan’s devotion to atheist Ayn Rand was exposed; Mr. profile-in-courage, knowing the Ayn Rand tie could have a negative impact on him personally, did his best impersonation of that old beloved biblical favorite Judas Escariot. This puppet-tool of the rich ideologues feels no shame, and is a stain on the reputation of decent Republicans.
Congratulations on catching Paul Ryan out on this clumsy lie. It's hard to imagine a more uncritical encomium to Rand than the one you exposed him giving to the Atlas Society in 2005. A more worshipful devotee would be very hard to find. And this from the Republican Party's "de facto head of economic policy" and perhaps most important figure, apart from Mitt Romney, as "Ryan's Rise..." described him on the front page of today's New York Times (4/30).
While Ryan has perhaps tempered his Randism after studying Aquinas, and putting more stress on "subsidiarity" and devolution of programs and resources to lower levels of government, the Social Darwinist framework of his recent budget proposals indicate that despite some sugar-coating, Ayn Rand remains his lodestar.
Like Rush Limbaugh, whom you skewered in "What Would Jesus Take" about a year ago, it seems Ryan is not following the principles of Jesus of Nazareth, but those of "the Supply-Side Jesus" adumbrated some years ago by that esteemed theologian Al Franken.
Thank you MSNBC Lawrence o'donnell. For your report on Paul ryan and how he lies to the
church and the american people about ayn rand. GREAT GREAT JOB.
Revelation 21:8
King James Version (KJV)
...and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
I smiled all day after watching Paul Ryan caught in that gigantic lie. When will the Republicans remember that, like it or not, we live in the age of "big brother" and it is all caught on tape? It'll be a hoot to watch Ryan continue to attempt to distance himself from the sociopathic Creed of Greed promoted by his idol, Ayn Rand and to try to convince the world that he wants to abandon social safety nets because of his Catholic faith. That's certainly not the Catholic Faith that I grew up with or that family and friends continue to embrace. Thanks to Lawrence O'Donnell for calling Ryan out for his lies!
Visit this video of Paul Ryan's Commencement Address to Miami University Class of 2009.
Paul's, Ayn Rand philosophy may be found in these words to the Class of 2009:
"You have the right (Bill of Rights) to keep all the income of your labor". In Paul's world the Miami Class of 2009 would never build a bridge, airport, dam, or levee.
He chooses to leave out "that all men are created equal" and the 60's protested "drafted service in Vietnam(forever war and more war on Cambodia and Laos after the end of the Vietnam War)" rather than the Men in Grey Suits.
In Paul's world view, the Miami Class of 2009, would get to keep all they earn - and why make these exceptional people fight 10+ year foreign wars.
As a Miami grad, I can not understand the near complete loss of humanity that Paul
suffers. Mike DeWine( Miami grad) lost his humanity, and he was defeated in his bid for re-election to the Senate, I pray that the good people of Wisconsin will turn Paul Ryan out of Congress.
I have wondered how much money that the U.S. taxpayers have shelled out to pay the salaries of each staffers on the congressional payroll reading the 1,168 pages of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged (and other conservative books) under the tutelage of U.S. Paul Ryan...it really should not be to difficult to determine what the average adult reading speed is here in the United States, nor the salaries of Rep. Ryan's staffers.
Thank you MSNBC Lawrence o'donnell for your report on Paul Ryan and how he lies.
I may have missed it- but did not hear Lawrence complaining about the "lie" by E Warren that she was a native American-
Paul Ryan is in hot water with Bishop Jenky (who compared President Obama to Hitler and Stalin).
It seems that Ryan convinced the good bishop that Ayn Rand should be nominated to be Saint Ayn. The bishop is apparently investigating whether or not an atheist can be a saint:
Hmm. The link to the website reporting that Bishop Jenky wants to nominate Ayn Rand to Sainthood seems to have been deleted.
bishopjenky.wordpress.com
bishopjenly.wordpress . com
I've always wondered whether Ryan is a closet atheist while spouting the politically expedient right wing religi-oid line. If he's not an atheist, his idol would have held him in total, withering contempt. Objectivism is an all-in philosophy, you don't get to cherry-pick just the personal liberty and free market bits ;-)