Tag Archives: Paul Ryan

The Trump-Republican Tax Cut: What Were They Thinking?

Posted on December 25, 2017 by politicaloptic

As a mental exercise, let’s ask the following question: what if Trump and the Republicans, instead of tilting their tax-cut legislation heavily towards corporations and the rich, had come up with a bill that truly favored white middle class voters, … Continue reading →

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Galt and God: Ayn Randians and Christian Rightists Expand Ties

Posted on January 7, 2015 by politicaloptic

Ayn Rand’s followers find themselves sharing a lot of turf with the Religious Right these days. The Tea Party, with its stress on righteous liberty and a robust form of capitalism, has been a rallying point for both groups. Still, the philosophical disharmony … Continue reading →

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Paul Ryan, Son of John Galt

Posted on September 5, 2012 by politicaloptic

Paul Ryan has downplayed his Ayn Rand associations lately in deference to Christian sensibilities. Rand, the popular priestess of über-individualism, was a militant atheist and no friend of the Christian religion. Still, while Ryan dismisses Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, he in no way … Continue reading →

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Paul Ryan and the Fusion of Fiscal and Social Conservatism

Posted on August 16, 2012 by politicaloptic

Paul Ryan needs no introduction as a fiscal conservative. The chairman of the Budget Committee in the House and the author of several controversial budget plans, Ryan has long been a guiding light for government-allergic libertarians. Less well known but … Continue reading →

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The Ayn Rand Budget

Posted on April 8, 2012 by politicaloptic

Paul Ryan, the author of the GOP’s recent budget proposal, is a big fan of Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand is the writer who inspired the young Ryan some fifteen years ago to get into politics. Today, unsurprisingly, her go-it-alone individualism permeates his worldview and guides his policy-making. Her … Continue reading →

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