Over the course of recent months, the words fascism, socialism, and totalitarianism have shifted from distant historical concepts to an unsettling part of our everyday vocabulary.
Alisa Rosenbaum decried racism as one of the lowest forms of collectivist thinking, a quality she believed displayed by "brutes." Like economist Milton Friedman, she advocated for unregulated (laissez-faire) capitalism as her preferred solution to this vexing and seemingly insurmountable social evil. It's easy to forgive her lack of insight into genetic science because so little was known about the human genome in her day. Still, laissez-faire capitalism has not ended racism. In my view, an unregulated business environment in the US exacerbates racism. I can't offer a definitive explanation for the persistent racism that poisons our country. I only know that it's been around for centuries.
Thank you for clarifying Ayn Rand's messages for me. I've lived 85 years in a safe, wonderful and FREE county and never thought it could come to what has been laid at my door from the radical right in this democratic country. Beware, people!
In this phrase we find my feelings and absolute agreement with Rand, "Her rigid advocacy for laissez-faire capitalism and her dismissal of altruism..."
I rigidly advocate for laissez-faire capitalism, and I (almost completely) dismiss altruism as a driving force for behavior. By the way, Ludwig von Mises agrees with both of us on the matter of altruism, but that's another subject, about which I've written a bit. That's a discussion for another time.
What I find instructive is that when people cry "fascism" or "authoritarianism" too loudly, they often want more of it, versus less. The current political climate is instructive in that regard. In regard to how racism and capitalism interact, I think it is naive to think--not that I suggest that you do--that a system of political economy, capitalism, can "fix" a system of collectivist lunacy, racism. As an aside, Rand was also openly dismissive of racism as a tool of intelligent people, so again, she and I agree.
One last point. This. "Are we, like Rand’s Soviet Union, sacrificing personal freedoms in the name of collective ideals?" From my perspective, the recent US election reflects a rejection of collectivist ideas, but it seems like you and I, along with many if not most of your commenters, disagree on that point. It is what it is, I guess...
Yes, hook, line & sinker! But, I’m beginning to think that the voters rejected what they perceived as the agenda of the far left! But, I’m no political scientist!
Fareed Zakaria added the perceived weaponization of the justice system against Trump. He was seen a a victim! All this despite the numerous crimes he committed!
I think basically three issues were deciding factors (right or wrong): the transgender issue, open borders ( Latino voters who came here legally resent illegals coming to take their jobs) and the costs of daily living (groceries, gasoline. ….), despite our booming economy! The abortion issue didn’t actually draw the number of women as predicted! Your thoughts?
I believe it was largely the economic/personal finance factor. While there was no way I was voting for Trump, I certainly was in this camp. Last week is the first time I’ve have had more than $30.00 worth of groceries in the house at one time this year. I’ve been a solopreneur since 1993 and 2023-24 have been my worst years.
Fareed Zakaria added one more issue: Many voters came to see Trump as a victim of the judicial system which, according to them, had been weaponized against Trump!
Thank you for your article! I felt similar to what you said here: "...The reckoning we face today is not new; it’s simply become harder to ignore. Now, as the fragility of our systems of governance becomes more visible, it feels as though the rest of America is beginning to understand the disillusionment long felt by its Black communities."
Because of this, I didn't have such a knot in my center as I had almost an opposite response of more people are able to see what African Americans have been experiencing, to a degree, because we have been here before.
Alisa Rosenbaum decried racism as one of the lowest forms of collectivist thinking, a quality she believed displayed by "brutes." Like economist Milton Friedman, she advocated for unregulated (laissez-faire) capitalism as her preferred solution to this vexing and seemingly insurmountable social evil. It's easy to forgive her lack of insight into genetic science because so little was known about the human genome in her day. Still, laissez-faire capitalism has not ended racism. In my view, an unregulated business environment in the US exacerbates racism. I can't offer a definitive explanation for the persistent racism that poisons our country. I only know that it's been around for centuries.
Excellent point Jerry. Let’s continue the conversation as I ponder what you’ve shared here.
Sure. Racism is a plague on all of us.
Thank you for clarifying Ayn Rand's messages for me. I've lived 85 years in a safe, wonderful and FREE county and never thought it could come to what has been laid at my door from the radical right in this democratic country. Beware, people!
In this phrase we find my feelings and absolute agreement with Rand, "Her rigid advocacy for laissez-faire capitalism and her dismissal of altruism..."
I rigidly advocate for laissez-faire capitalism, and I (almost completely) dismiss altruism as a driving force for behavior. By the way, Ludwig von Mises agrees with both of us on the matter of altruism, but that's another subject, about which I've written a bit. That's a discussion for another time.
What I find instructive is that when people cry "fascism" or "authoritarianism" too loudly, they often want more of it, versus less. The current political climate is instructive in that regard. In regard to how racism and capitalism interact, I think it is naive to think--not that I suggest that you do--that a system of political economy, capitalism, can "fix" a system of collectivist lunacy, racism. As an aside, Rand was also openly dismissive of racism as a tool of intelligent people, so again, she and I agree.
One last point. This. "Are we, like Rand’s Soviet Union, sacrificing personal freedoms in the name of collective ideals?" From my perspective, the recent US election reflects a rejection of collectivist ideas, but it seems like you and I, along with many if not most of your commenters, disagree on that point. It is what it is, I guess...
Well said. Thank you Diamond-Michael!
Scary doctrine!
Yup. What’s even scarier are all of the voters that fell for the bait.
Yes, hook, line & sinker! But, I’m beginning to think that the voters rejected what they perceived as the agenda of the far left! But, I’m no political scientist!
Fareed Zakaria added the perceived weaponization of the justice system against Trump. He was seen a a victim! All this despite the numerous crimes he committed!
Yup, Trump plays the victim card well. On that note, I for one don’t believe that the assignation attempt was legit.
Staged likely. Haven’t heard the findings or details yet! That should tell us something!
I’ve enjoyed our discussion!
I think basically three issues were deciding factors (right or wrong): the transgender issue, open borders ( Latino voters who came here legally resent illegals coming to take their jobs) and the costs of daily living (groceries, gasoline. ….), despite our booming economy! The abortion issue didn’t actually draw the number of women as predicted! Your thoughts?
I believe it was largely the economic/personal finance factor. While there was no way I was voting for Trump, I certainly was in this camp. Last week is the first time I’ve have had more than $30.00 worth of groceries in the house at one time this year. I’ve been a solopreneur since 1993 and 2023-24 have been my worst years.
It’s understandable for sure!
Fareed Zakaria added one more issue: Many voters came to see Trump as a victim of the judicial system which, according to them, had been weaponized against Trump!
Thank you for your article! I felt similar to what you said here: "...The reckoning we face today is not new; it’s simply become harder to ignore. Now, as the fragility of our systems of governance becomes more visible, it feels as though the rest of America is beginning to understand the disillusionment long felt by its Black communities."
Because of this, I didn't have such a knot in my center as I had almost an opposite response of more people are able to see what African Americans have been experiencing, to a degree, because we have been here before.
I’ve read it she sucked. How did things go for her? Make sure to include that in your next post she is a loser and had two dumb ass followers.