Why do Ayn Rand's values only apply to the rich?

[Courtesy Flush]

I listened to the NPR story this morning, and I wondered why this philosophy of noble selfishness only seems to apply to wealthy people. The rich are glorified for their greed, but does it only apply on that scale?

Look at the groups that are labeled "lazy" by the right. They call the unemployed and welfare recipients leeches on the system, but wouldn't that make them heroes in a Randian kind of way? If they REALLY are lazy, and not just doing what they can for their families, then they're winners -- getting a check for nothing.

While they would certainly oppose giving benefits to the poor, a Randian should applaud the recipients for getting what they can for themselves.

Why should an immigrant play by the rules, and get his papers? That's not for HIS benefit.

Why on earth would a pregnant woman NOT get an abortion? They should name abortion clinics for Rand!

Shouldn't we all walk away from our debts, and our children? Shouldn't we goof off at work, and cheat at school?

I don't understand why we can't all participate.

[Taverner]

1. It's Calvinism on Steroids

How else will you know who the "elect" are?

[DonCoquixote]

2. Because

In Ayn Rand's view, we are not people. Only the sociopaths are worth anything to them, period, the rest of us are useless eaters.

[JuniperLea]

3. They are NOVELS...

They are NOT REAL.

I'd rather follow the teachings of The Hobbit...

[demigoddess]

8. because they are novels that don't make sense.

read one once, did not make sense!!!

[PoliticAverse]

4. Rand strongly favored the right of a woman to have an abortion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0yUjMklVuI

[Courtesy Flush]

5. And she was an atheist

I just don't get the right-wing love affair.

But they do the same with the Bible. Embrace the bits they like, and ignore the rest.

[TheWraith]

7. And VERY heavily into sexual liberation and free love. nt

[Warpy]

6. They're the only ones who can afford them.

In addition, their money has protected them enough from the vicissitudes of life that they can almost believe in them.

[ElboRuum]

9. Simple really.

Randian philosophy predicates itself on the idea that in so being selfish, the rich actually produce for society, and hence should be unfettered in that selfishness, whereas the selfish poor are a drain on society, and therefore should be constrained.

Bunk, of course, but there it is in a nutshell.