readthebook (110)

The rational is not subjective. She explained very well why rationality as such is at the root of her ethics and why her ethical principles are rational.

Ayn Rand did not use the word imprecisely. She defined and explained exactly what she meant by the concept of selfishness, and she explained how the traditional word uses are conceptually invalid. They leave out the possibility of the rational concept as the fundamental value in ethics. She also made very clear the distinction between her concept of selfishness and hedonism. Hedonism and altruism are a false alternative and two sides of the same coin of human sacrifice.

You should read the non-fiction, including Leonard Peikoff's systematic Objectivism The Philosophy of Ayn Rand.

Eddie Willers, who Ayn Rand said was one of her favorite characters, was capable of independent thought but was of more limited ability. He was left to perish at the end because it shows what happens to good people when those of the most ability are replaced with the worst, like James Taggert and the rest of his ilk whom he went down with. Eddie's fate was disturbing because it was supposed to be -- for the reasons just given, not because Ayn Rand maliciously or recklessly disposed of him without thought or concern.

Romney couldn't articulate limited government because he doesn't know what it is, not because of how he governed in Massachusetts. He didn't govern in Massachusetts in accordance with limited government for the same reason.

It was a fine for disorderly thought in the name of 'conduct'.