The Virtue of Selfishness

I would suggest to Mr. Obama, and his supporters, that they read an incredible book called The Virtue of Selfishness written many, many years ago by Ayn Rand, a powerful philosopher.

She clearly delineates why "selfishness" is a virtue. To put her philosophy simply, selfishness is a virtue because if one thinks of and takes care of one's family and one's self, FIRST and is happy with one's family and one's life, one is much, much more likely to want to go out and make the world happy, too.

One is much, much more likely to want to go help others through their difficult times and to get them to a point where they, too, can feel ready to help others in the same way they have been helped.

Yes, selfishness is a virtue.

Forcibly taking from those who have worked hard and earned what they have is not.

"Do not ever say that the desire to "do good" by force is a good motive. Neither power-lust nor stupidity are good motives." (Ayn Rand)

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Obama Says Tax Foes 'Selfish'
by Mark Impomeni
Nov 1st 2008 2:30PM
Filed Under: Barack Obama, 2008 President, Taxes

Sen. Barack Obama told a crowd in Missouri yesterday that those who don't want to pay higher taxes to help fund his redistributionist policies are "selfish." In a long defense of his tax policies, which have come under withering criticism in recent days, Obama blamed Sen. John McCain, Gov. Sarah Palin the McCain campaign for lauding those who resist higher taxes. Obama said that McCain and Palin were, "making a virtue out of selfishness."

"The reason that we want to do this, change our tax code, is not because I have anything against the rich. I love rich people! I want all of you to be rich. Go for it. That's the American dream, that's the American way, that's terrific.

The point is, though, that -- and it's not just charity, it's not just that I want to help the middle class and working people who are trying to get in the middle class -- it's that when we actually make sure that everybody's got a shot...everybody is better off. All boats rise.

John McCain and Sarah Palin they call this socialistic. You know I don't know when, when they decided they wanted to make a virtue out of selfishness."

Sen. Obama's explanation is reminiscent of his conversation with Joe Wurzelbacher, in which he said that his tax plan was not intended to punish success, but to make sure, "everybody who is behind you – that they've got a chance at success too. I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

The problem for Sen. Obama is that he has promised "tax cuts" for 95% of Americans.

Close to 40% of Americans already pay no federal income tax. Obama proposes to give them "refundable tax credits" of $500 to $1000. That leaves no way around the fact that Obama wants to increase taxes to give money to people who don't pay taxes. Americans are the most unselfish and charitable people in the world, but they resent being forced to contribute.

They instinctively reject the notion that the government should take from one group to give to another. But Sen. Obama's tax plan would use the power of the federal government to do just that. Americans have every reason to be suspicious of Sen. Obama's tax plan. And they should not have to be called names for asking questions.



Copyright, MCzwz, All Rights Reserved. Originally posted on www.thoughts.com/MCzwz/blog on 11/02/2008