You and many a few other commenters here were once Randians but changed your opinions. You then rationalized your change in opinions as “growing up”, as if age made you wiser. Young people often have radical ideologies, Objectivism, Socialism, Environmentalism etc. The reason why young people lose these ideologies is generally not because they become more intelligent, but because they grow tired under adulthood, it wears them down and they mistake the compromises society makes them do with common sense.

Right?

To give a sense of magnitude, US folks have trouble understanding British humor and most don’t get French humor at all (but they would if they tried harder and learned some French).  For Westerners, Russian humor is more on the French end rather than the British end.

I got that part, but I had the impression from the news that Ayn was somehow imparting deeper philosophical meaning to Ryan’s budget ideas/proposals.  Just a minute ago, I watched the 1959 Mike Wallace interview with Ayn and wondered if it was “everyone for themselves!”  Wow, imagine if that had happened during the disaster in Haiti, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc.  I hope that isn’t the point that Ryan is adopting!

Boundgear: Anything specific?  I am not an economist.  Just curious how an author I read on a lark is suddenly is in the limelight about our economy.

Those who hate on AR seem to know a lot more then those who love her…reminds me of how most Atheists seem to know more about the bible then the average fundie!