Galt's Gulch

List reasons why an Objectivist could win a general election for president

Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago to Politics
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I am also posting a 2nd thread for us to list reasons why an Objectivist could not win a general election for president.

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  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 10 years, 5 months ago
    Many of the core aspects of Objectivity closely align itself with, what once were, core American principals.Aspect of Rand's philosophy strongly appeal to Constitutional Conservatives and, I believe, evoke something deeply rooted in most Americans as a matter of, lack of a better term, national promise.
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  • Posted by dwlievert 10 years, 5 months ago
    I have chosen to respond to both of your solicitations Mr. Brenner, because I wish to hone the focus. One of the more obtuse lessons Rand taught is the important point that politics flows from morality. Therefore, the battle to regain our individual rights as well as to raise them in actual standing to the status they should have initially been raised, will be fought and won - not in the corridors of power or conference rooms in Washington DC, but in the classrooms and lecture halls of academia; the newsrooms in NY; and the studios in Hollywood.
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    • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
      I am doing my part in the classrooms and lecture halls of academia. As I have said elsewhere in this thread, one of my reasons for starting this post is to resolve my difficulties in dealing with the fact that Rand Paul is doing as poorly as he is. I am somewhere between depression and acceptance in the five stages of grief. However, acceptance of this reality means that it is no longer worth doing my part in the lecture halls of academia. Acceptance of this reality means that my partial strike in relegating myself to academia rather than being a co-owner of a small business will change to full-blown strike. I am not sure I am ready for that reality yet, although if my father, who is in his third year of full-blown Alzheimer's, dies, I might be ready for that reality.
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      • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 5 months ago
        It's watching it day by day that's hard. Mine was 94 at the end. I knew a young lady one time who went through the bulemia and anorexia experience. Wasn't pretty. She got passed it and is now working with young people wit similar afflictions. I asked if it ever affected her. "Well. I had the experience and I decided to use it to good purpose." Just a passing thought. Since you already know how to teach.
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      • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago
        Rand Paul's degree of public acceptance was predictable -- hopeless to the extent he pursued "libertarianism" (let alone "Objectivism"), with attempts to put it across in "mainstream" terms combined with religion just as hopeless.

        The political situation is, however, not a reason for those seeking to spread the kind of philosophical influences necessary to do nothing, particularly in academia, which is one of the only realms in which practical progress is possible. But that requires understanding what is necessary to do and why it doesn't start with politics.
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        • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
          I will continue to spread the kind of philosophical influences that we want in academia as long as I see that doing so is in my best self-interest. As much as I like my current position, I am not gaining financially as much as I could.

          As for Rand Paul's degree of public acceptance, it was predictable that it would not be very high. Sad but true.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 10 years, 5 months ago
    knowledge of the only permanent way to get everyone
    to become richer in a human society.

    integrity, honesty and ethical behavior.

    staunch advocacy for freedom.

    a good sense of humor, without a fear of failure. -- j
    .
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  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 5 months ago
    There is no way an Objectivist can win without lying to the voters and to himself. Take Rand Paul, about 25% in line with Objectivism. Can you imagine where he'd be at 100%?
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    • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
      Rand Paul is probably as close to an Objectivist candidate as is ever likely to be taken at all seriously. One of the reasons that I asked this question is because of where he is in the polls right now. I am not dealing well with the fact that there are so few of us who think the way that we do.
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      • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 5 months ago
        Well...believe it. What is even worse is when people argue with you attempting to prove how wrong you are. Most of them are so pitiful in their arguments that I'm undecided as to whether to scorn them, laugh at them or pity them.

        Oh, and by the way, many of the comments I hear about Rand Paul have to do with his looks, his facial expression, etc. I think that the only reason they stop at the way he combs his hair is the expression on my face.
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        • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
          Thanks, Herb. I want to be an optimist. I was raised that way, and I consider it my nature. However, I just can't be optimistic right now, and I don't see that changing any time soon.
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          • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 5 months ago
            I was raised by people you could describe as fatalistic. When I discovered Rand it took me on my first steps toward a view to something better Even if the most conservative of Republicans gets voted in, your attitude will be fully justified.
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  • Posted by Technocracy 10 years, 5 months ago
    1 Reason an Objectivist could win - An O would tell the electorate what their best answer/truth is to any question, rather than a lie.

    The flip side
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  • Posted by not-you 10 years, 5 months ago
    Perhaps the question should be: Would an objectivist be willing to run?
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    • Posted by kevinw 10 years, 5 months ago
      Also posted this to Timelords reply:

      Why wouldn't an Objectivist consider running?

      Might be a stretch but imagine an Objectivist with an attitude like Donald Trump. He might actually enjoy running. At least stirring things up, as Trump has.
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    • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
      That was my point in starting the discussion. 9 comments against running vs. 2 for running so far.
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      • Posted by Timelord 10 years, 5 months ago
        Then you were dishonest! Bad Objectivist! Bad!

        I'm a big fan of answering the question that was asked, not the one I think should have been asked. That's what politicians do during public forums...
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        • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
          I wasn't dishonest at all. I am making an honest attempt at learning about Objectivism. From what I had learned thus far, being president would require compromises that Objectivists would not want to make, work in a place amidst people they despise, and for people other than themselves (and probably more in others' interests rather than their own self-interest). Sometimes you ask a question to confirm what you think, but are not sure, you know. This was such a time.

          Moreover, I know I cannot claim to be an Objectivist. Objectivists and I have almost everything in common, but I have my own philosophy.
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      • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 10 years, 5 months ago
        That is pretty messed up considering this is an Objectivist forum.
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        • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
          I am trying to deal with the reality that the closest to an Objectivist candidate that we could hope for, Rand Paul, is not doing all that well. Admittedly, Rand Paul is not an O. Rand Paul's lack of popularity is something that I wanted to deny. I think I am now at somewhere between depression and acceptance in the five stages of grief.
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        • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
          Not really. Politics involves looters. What Objectivists wants looters around?
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          • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 10 years, 5 months ago
            Well that is why a principled people are needed in government, to change the status quo. If not an Objectivist, who in my opinion is very close to the Founding Father's ideas, then whom?

            The current state of the character of the government can't be used to excuse.
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            • Posted by DrZarkov99 10 years, 5 months ago
              The Pauls (Ron and Rand) are an example of how much a Libertarian candidate can appeal to the public. No purist can get past the hurdles of candidacy, and it's the compromises that hinder honest candidates.

              The Founders hoped for many candidates, unaffiliated with powerful political parties, so that an informed electorate would have clear choices. Unfortunately, an uninformed electorate dominates, and is easily persuaded by simple-minded themes and charisma over intellect or integrity. Without limits on campaign money, the major parties have made the Founders worst electoral nightmare come true.
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              • Posted by Timelord 10 years, 5 months ago
                I accept your first paragraph as applying to Ron Paul, but Rand doesn't call himself a libertarian because he is NOT a libertarian! He would have to make big changes to a number of his positions to be close enough to use the title.

                He's the best of the bunch by FAR and I'll vote for him if he's nominated (and the LP candidate doesn't make it onto the ballot in CT). Nevertheless, not a libertarian.
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            • Posted by wiggys 10 years, 5 months ago
              AJ,
              the usa hasn't had a principled person in government. Although I knew the man who took over for John Lindsey when he became mayor of nyc. the man finished the term and never ran for the office because he was principled. an objectivist, a true objectivist would not run because he would be unelectable!!!!!!!!!
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  • Posted by dwlievert 10 years, 5 months ago
    Being a relatively new visitor to the Gulch, from what I have read of your posted work, you are indeed "making a difference." I trust it provides you with a suitable "return." If so it is my hope you continue to do so in whatever venue(s) you choose to frequent.
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  • Posted by Temlakos 10 years, 5 months ago
    People would follow such a person--only if he makes them understand (a) his opponents propose to rob them blind and (b) some (not all) of those same opponents would leave us vulnerable to external enemies who do their robbery by more forthright force.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 5 months ago
    Other than hot button issues it's always hopeful the establishment party would implode. Hey that's happening now see my thread on Carly as the lefts answer to the Hillary Bomb in which case just enough of the Anti Party Party people given one single focused choice MIGHT say hey this is real those people aren't.

    Real solutions to Real problems you aren't going to get them anywhere else.
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  • Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 5 months ago
    Not if he runs on an anti-immigration platform. This position is not only not objectivist, but the objectivist position would be to tackle the underlying issues.

    The anti-immigration positions on the GOP will also sink them. If that and abortion are the two big solutions to the problems in the US according to the GOP we are sunk.
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    • Posted by DrZarkov99 10 years, 5 months ago
      What should be an Objectivist position on immigration and abortion?
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      • Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 5 months ago
        Immigration : Eliminate Welfare and the war on drugs

        Abortion: Probably a states rights issue - however this is such a minor issue in the problems of the US that only if forced to comment on it would an objectivist candidate do so.
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        • Posted by kevinw 10 years, 5 months ago
          Also two of the most dividing issues. Which is why every politician is forced to answer both, sooner or later. With a very irrational public on both sides of both issues. Still a lose - lose for an Objectivist.
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  • Posted by dwlievert 10 years, 5 months ago
    We all make our choices jbrenner. You have my great empathy with respect to your father. Success, happiness, and ultimately fulfillment ought to be the purpose for whatever choice(s) we each make. My point in my response to your question(s) was to remind all who may read this thread that a focus on politics is one directed at the END of the causal chain. As such it represents a vacuous effort, as it will "slam up" against the moral ideals of the electorate from which said politics arises.
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    • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 5 months ago
      Your point is well taken. Changing the beginning of the causal chain within my lifetime is no longer possible without starting a country from scratch, and it is arguable as to whether it would be in my self-interest to spend time trying to change the beginning of that causal chain.
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  • Posted by Timelord 10 years, 5 months ago
    We would speak the truth and it would stun people indefinitely. The Objectivist candidate could then load them all into a truck, drag them into the polling place, use their arms and hands to cast a vote for the Objectivist, truck them all back from whence cameth they, and then quietly whisper, "Obama!" into their ear.

    Why Obama? Because 50% of the population abhors him and the rest adore him, so either way you startle them out of their stupor. Well, wait, you startle them out of the catatonic stupor and back into their everyday stupor!
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 5 months ago
    They certainly could if they could convince people it's not a trick, that it's not an ideological artifice from which to dole out favors to those who contributed to their election.
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