In the recent, highly contentious midterm elections, it is noteworthy that virtually no politician cared to seriously discuss, let alone consistently defend, the political principle at the heart of America and its Constitution: Individual rights. Ayn Rand did.

Rand extensively commented on the politics of her time. Armed with an uncompromising, philosophical reverence for America and capitalism, she took a principled stance against socialism and communism, as well as the idea that a majority can democratically vote to redistribute the hard-earned wealth of an individual. But she also vehemently opposed attempts by many “conservatives” to mix support for the free market with religion.

Her opposition to so many ideologies did not make her a “moderate.” Rand considered herself a “radical for capitalism,” a position she presented in a collection of essays, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, which identified capitalism’s deep philosophical roots.

To help you get a taste of Rand’s distinctive views, we gathered below six short audio recordings of her answering different questions about politics. Watch, learn, and enjoy!

1. The Protection of Individual Rights: Ayn Rand’s Case: Rand offers an essentialized understanding and defense of individual rights and the role of government in protecting them. She also rejects so-called “economic rights” (e.g. to health care and income) as they involve the use of force to violate property rights.

2. Conservatism vs. Objectivism: Ayn Rand Explains the Difference: Rand contrasts her definitive stand as a “radical for capitalism” with many “conservative’s” vague support for free markets and the disaster of their attempt to tie capitalism to religion.

3. ‘Moderates’ vs. ‘Extremists’: Ayn Rand’s View: Rand clarifies that moderation in issues of principle, especially the protection of individual rights, is no virtue.

4. Democracy vs. a Constitutional Republic: Ayn Rand’s Case: Rand identifies the evil of democracy — whether direct or indirect — and contrasts it with a proper form of government, a constitutional republic.

5. Communism’s Real Danger: Ayn Rand’s View: Rand unequivocally identifies communism as evil and destructive, but notes the non-intellectuality of many anti-communists.

6. Ayn Rand on How to Change the Country’s Politics: Rand stresses the importance of voting in certain elections and the need to spread the right philosophical ideas in order to change politics.

If you were intrigued by the short recordings, you can take a deeper dive into Rand’s distinctive political thought by reading the following essays:

1. Man’s Rights, April 1963.
2. The Nature of Government, December 1963.

And if you found them insightful, you can purchase Rand’s political essay collection, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.

The modern Left doesn’t care about free speech … unless they’re the ones speaking.

The examples are endless. Here are just a few:

• The Left raged against Macklemore after he got booted from Ed Sheeran’s tour, but they stayed quiet after British singer M.I.A. lost her opening act gig under similar circumstances.
• The Left looked the other way as comedians got censored left and right, but they raged against ABC for suspending Jimmy Kimmel for spreading misinformation.
• The Left raged against Morgan Wallen for using the “n-word” in a private moment caught on video. They said nothing after we learned that Hunter Biden repeatedly texted the same word to a friend.

New text messages from Hunter Biden reveal he repeatedly used the N-word when referring to his lawyer in conversation, who was white.

Joe Biden raised a son who casually talks that way, yet he wants to lecture all of us on “racism?”

I don’t think so.

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 8, 2021

Now, the Legacy Media and the Left, but we repeat ourselves, are covering Macklemore’s claim that select arenas wouldn’t allow him to bring his pro-Palestinian fundraising tour to their venues.

He shared this note on the matter via Instagram:

“The doors were closed. The conversations were all different, but the result was the same … The shows were not going to be allowed to happen in these venues. In over twenty years of touring, I’ve never experienced anything like this. But this is not an isolated incident. For decades, activists, poets, writers, musicians and entertainers who have stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people have faced consequences for doing so. Many have paid a far greater price than I have.”

The price he’s paying, so far, is fawning news coverage and, likely, a pressure campaign to force venues to reverse their decision.

MSG refuted the musician’s argument, saying he’s not an arena-level act at this stage of his career. He did fill up arena stages at three concerts outside the U.S. in recent weeks, but his greatest fame stateside came more than a decade ago following the “Thrift Shop” smash.

It’s noteworthy that Macklemore didn’t say a word, publicly at least, about the Nova Music Festival slaughter conducted by Palestinian terrorists. Nor has he stood up for the countless artists silenced during the Peak Woke Era.

He’s said nothing as entertainers like Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Rapaport have faced protestors and cancellation for simply being Jewish

Now, he’s playing the victim. But is he?

It’s complicated. He’s not just a politically-charged singer at this point. He’s using his concerts to raise money for the Palestinian cause. Said cause is murky on many levels. The New York Post reported that some of that cash is going to a group that defended the Oct. 7 atrocities.

Jeanine Hourani, a UK spokesperson for the Palestine Youth Movement, previously defended the taking of hostages during the Oct. 7 atrocities, while the group itself has characterized the massacres as a “prison break.”

What about other Palestinian groups benefiting from Macklemore’s tour? See the problem?

We should always err on the side of free speech when reasonable. And as much as many rightfully loathe the singer’s ill-informed Middle East views, it’s better to let him preach than make him a free speech martyr.

More voices, not less.

And speaking of voices, will one journalist ask the singer some tough but fair questions about his “Free Palestine” crusade?

The answer, of course, is a tragic “no.”

The post Macklemore Cancelled? The Truth is … Complicated appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.

Many believe that the state of Israel was founded by stealing land that was rightfully owned by Arabs. Yaron Brook addresses this, along with other false claims, at the Randsday Objectivist Conference, Jan. 28-30, 2027, in Fort Myers, FL. Other speakers include Harry Binswanger, Peter Schwartz, Tara Smith, Jean Moroney, Ellen Kenner and Amesh Adalja. Cost is $450.

In addition, there will be an exclusive movie-theater showing of the 1997 Oscar-nominated documentary “Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life.” Its writer director, Michael Paxton, will be on hand to introduce the film and to take questions from the audience.

The venue is the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a ten-minute drive from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the airport and is available 24 hours. There is also free self-parking for guests. The room rate is $236 per night, which includes a free buffet breakfast each morning.

Go to RandsdayCon.com for full details about the program (including a Game Night and an Objectivist Trivia Contest).