Ayn Rand's selfish philosophy

Editor:

Although I personally support the Havre City Council ordinance that limits cellphone use for the drivers of moving vehicles, I much admire Rick Dow's defense which found him not guilty of violating this ordinance. His and his attorney's efforts prove once again the beauty of the American system of justice, which allows the innocent to defend themselves.

A lingering problem of the system is the high cost of justice — for the individual defendant particularly. The remedy for that problem is difficult.

However, I was disappointed and somewhat saddened that Mr. Dow decided to quote the morally and politically objectionable Ayn Rand as the justification for his action. Rand, who was born and educated until her early 20s in the Communist dictatorship of Soviet Russia prior to World War II, is a well-known formulator of completely misleading ethical, philosophical and political garbage.

As well as distorting facts, she is notorious for her nasty, selfish ethics that make a virtue of personal selfishness and a vice of any kind of altruism by governments or individuals. She celebrates personal self-interest ahead of all other interests.

Not surprisingly, along with many of her followers and adherents, Rand is one of the well-known and outspoken atheists of the 20th century. A complete nonbeliever, her barbs condemning religious belief occur throughout her works.

Of course, she is also an open and frank opponent of democracy.

Bill Thackeray

Havre