Sure James. I've been advocating political activism for the Libertarian / Objectivist crowd for a long time. Regardless of political philosophy, there's a well established procedure for working to change things. Repeal antitrust? Statutory immunity for Bill & Co., because they're so important? Whatever, be honest and forthright about it. Politics is dirty? Like business isn't dirty? Like Microsoft doesn't go out on the dirty edge of dirty? That's why we love them so, anyway. Poor naive Bill, sucker punched by Beltway lobbyists while he was off globetrotting, going straight to the top in his personal lobbying efforts, sucking up to various despots and crony capitalism types. You find a better place for Bill to pull up stakes and move to, let us ( or him ) know.
You guys just have to figure out some story to cover Ayn Rand's bracing atheism and messy private life. I got no problem with those, being basically in agreement with the former and tolerant of the latter as long as the messer around isn't a "family values" preacher type. The quasi - libertarian Republicans might find it hard to swallow, though, as well as the general unwashed masses. The Republicans do the best they can representing Reggie's socio-economic majority, but they got to suck up to some real majority to get elected. So the civil liberties side of the equation goes out the window with them.
Maybe Bill's "grass roots" PR types could figure out a good cover story for Ayn. Or some other line to get the Libertarians some political visibility. Personally, I'd agree, somewhat, that Libertarian philosophy is consistent and attractive in some ways, but to repeat as usual, our messy and creaking political system seems close enough to one dollar, one vote the way it is.
Cheers, Dan. |
