Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Adam Smith -vs- Ayn Rand. Capitalism was their common goal, the justification for achieving the ends of capitalism was their difference. Based on pure logic and objectiveness Smith would have to concede to Rand. Looking beyond the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and post Soviet/Chinese/Southeast Asian communism, the debate is once again forefront and center. Given the changing realities of modern western society how would you characterize capitalism today and what specifically would you suggest we ought modify or do differently? For a insightful yet brief analysis of Smith and how his views might relate to the present please see taospeaks as you consider the foregoing. There remains one thing abundantly clear. We as humans have yet to agree on the ultimate right solution. This is as it should be. Knowledge, growth, and ultimately achievement is NOT made by everyone always agreeing. Wouldn't you agree? ...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny I suspect those who do not need to hear this speech will likely listen. I also suspect those who need to hear it the most won't bother. Note whom the speaker is most critical of. It has been said, "the more things change the more they stay the same." Certainly remains true today with respect to this subject matter.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Ayn Rand Lexicon - Theory : Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned. The recognition of individual rights entails the banishment of physical force from human relationships: basically, rights can be violated only by means of force. In a capitalist society, no man or group may initiate the use of physical force against others. The only function of the government, in such a society, is the task of protecting man’s rights, i.e., the task of protecting him from physical force; the government acts as the agent of man’s right of self-defense, and may use force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use; thus the government is the means of placing the retaliatory use of force under objective control. “ The Objectivist Ethics : The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Libe rty -vs- Tyra nny Conservatives, usually the ones who least understand the ethical and moral principles of capitalism, proudly claim Ayn Rand as their heroine. Precisely because Ayn Rand was perhaps the world's strongest advocate for a true capitalistic society. Lets see what Rand had to say about the conservative movement... Today’s “conservatives” are futile, impotent and, culturally, dead. They have nothing to offer and can achieve nothing. They can only help to destroy intellectual standards, to disintegrate thought, to discredit capitalism, and to accelerate this country’s uncontested collapse into despair and dictatorship. “Conservatism: An Obituary,” Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 199 It was the so-called “conservatives” . . . who ran to the government for regulations and controls [over the broadcasting industry], and who cheered the notion of “public property” and service to the “public interest.” “The Property Statu...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Libe rty - vs - Tyra nny   It comes as no surprise really. A substantial majority of Americans understand businesses exist for one primary purpose. To make money {profit} on the product and or services they provide. It's really as elementary as that. The American people also understand that for any business to remain viable requires it to maintain a positive cash flow and balance sheet. Remaining competitive is an essential component for any business wishing to achieve long term success. Rasmussen Reports - The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may be upset with Boeing’s plan to operate a non-union plant in South Carolina, but most Americans think it should be allowed to. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll finds that 64% think Boeing has the right to open the plant in South Carolina while just 21% disagree. When respondents are told that the NLRB believes that opening the pla...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny Rasmussen Reports : Voters remain strongly supportive of a free market economy over one controlled by the government and still think small businesses are hurt more than big businesses when the government does get involved. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters believe a free market economy is better than an economy managed by the government. Just 14% think a government-managed economy is better. Another 14% are not sure. Republicans and unaffiliated voters overwhelmingly prefer a free market approach. Among these segments of the electorate, the number preferring a government-managed economy is in the single digits. Among Democrats, 48% say a free market is better, but 29% think a government-managed economy is the answer. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. Seventy-five percent (75%) of those who work for a private compan...

by:   Les Carpenter Rational Nation   USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty   -vs-   Tyranny A person's right to their life is fundamental. The right to their property constitutes the secondary  upon which all  other rights flow. Specifically the right of every individual   to retain control and use of their property as they see fit. Properly understood, property rights stand in direct opposition to the premise held by statists that the   State   has the ultimate right   to arbitrarily confiscate an individual's property and redistribute its worth as the state sees fit. This discussion has, in one form or the other, dominated philosophical and political debate going back to the   Age of Reason   and   The Enlightenment .   The Enlightenment   and the   Age of Reason   were profoundly influenced by  Aristotelian logic . Enli...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism We are one nation, with common values and principles that set us apart from the rest of the world. Or so I have chosen to believe for over 50 years. Call me the old fashioned reactionary village idiot if you like. Go ahead, I am used to it from the progressive collectivists. The fact is I am damn proud of being given that moniker by them. Truth be known {and I don't mean Truth 101 } I really don't care what progressive collectivists think of my values and principles, or the political views I hold. I'm good with them and that is all that matters. Frankly I don't care because I,  just like each and every one of the progressive/statists know I am right. Since any rational value system must be based on objectivity, rather than emotionalism, the left always loses on purely logical and rational grounds. However, don't bother to attempt a rational discussion with them on this point becaus...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA While perusing the internet late night on what was a relatively slow day for substantial news I happened upon the following article in The Daily Caller . The well written article was all about how the Tea Party and Freedomworks President Matt Kibbe are teaming up "to promote responsible, sound business practices, and beginning next year, the two will begin encouraging supporters to boycott big business that lobbies for a “progressive” agenda." As a strong advocate of free market laissez faire capitalism this sounds all good and well. After all what is more American than a market unfettered by  unnecessary and restrictive regulation, government subsidies, and crony capitalism. A market that would determine the winners and losers based solely on consumer demand for a companies product and the competitiveness of each company in a given market. It works for me, and I would fathom to guess it works ...

by Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Ayn Rand was perhaps one of the most objective 20th century thinkers and should be a revered icon of liberals. Hell, she even considered herself a liberal (actually a radical) and had problems with the Republican establishment. You can find in her own words her position on conservatism here . It is hard to say for those of us who have studied Rand, and in the process became adherents to her Objectivist philosophy whether she would still consider herself in opposition to conservative thought. My money is on she would. While Rand considered herself a radical for laissez faire capitalism she was very much a classical liberal. Classical in the sense of the great 18th century liberal revolutionaries that fomented unrest in the British colonies that ultimately lead to a revolution and the founding of our republic. Almost without exception most liberals, or progressives today revile Rand. Rather than understanding her objective principles and the...

By: Les Carpenter III Rational Nation USA The only thing that creates wealth is the desire for something (demand) and the initiative taken by someone to satisfy the demand (supply). For a capitalist system to work efficiently it must be responsive to changing demand and react accordingly. The capitalist that is able to react the swiftest and provide the best quality with the most competitive price will always be in business.  At least that is the way it should work. Unfortunately in the real world with all of the government subsidies to business, the mentality of "to big to fail", the existence of crony capitalism, where CEO's are making well over 250 times the income of the average worker something is amiss. As a conservative I wish to see the vibrant and prosperous nation I grew up in be the reality for my children and grandchildren. To create wealth essentially requires two things from the start. First is the demand for a product or service, followed by a suppl...

By: Les Carpenter III Rational Nation USA Capitalism has proven to be the most productive force for growth ever known to mankind. The United States of America is the strongest,and perhaps the most enduring testament to this fact. However, given the realties of the past few decades it is natural that one question the logic of the above statement. Let's take a look at the meaning of capitalism as only the world's strongest proponent of capitalism could express it. The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim that it represents the best way to achieve “the common good.” It is true that capitalism does—if that catch-phrase has any meaning—but this is merely a secondary consequence. The moral justification of capitalism lies in the fact that it is the only system consonant with man’s rational nature, that it protects man’s survival qua man, and that its ruling principle is: justice. Ayn Rand And further: Capitalism is a social system based on t...

By: Les Carpenter III Rational Nation USA Ayn Rand surely possessed a truly beautiful mind. A women who had laser sharp reason, a consistent and moral philosophy, and one whose life was grounded in objective logic. One has too ask where are such minds today. Perhaps Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and so many other of her works have survived and are seeing a resurgence  because her intelligence and wisdom can not be suppressed. Either by the extreme right or the extreme left. Nor can the values and logic of her philosophy be defeated by the mystics of faith or the mystics of muscle. Here are two of my favorite videos of  Ayn Rand. It seems fitting to run them after the cesspool that erupted from Rosie O'Donnell's mouth. If you enjoyed these video's, and would like to learn more of the philosophy of Ayn Rand click here .  There is so much knowledge to be gained in a full study ...

By: Les Carpenter III Rational Nation USA As this site continues to experience some technical difficulties, posts will continue to be brief, and fewer in volume until difficulties are fully resolved. This morning while thinking about liberty, and everything the concept implies I ran across the following brief video. It struck me how we are discussing the same issues today that were being discussed quite some time ago. The rational thinker speaking in the video was correct then, and though no longer with us remains correct today. The independent conservative and libertarian movement would do well to study and fully understand the principals and discipline that guided the thinking and philosophy of Ayn Rand. Rand was truly a liberty minded individual who proclaimed herself more closely aligned with classical liberal thinking than consecrative. Hoverer, she defined herself as a radical for capitalism, true governmen...

As an independent and true conservative I hold with the values of Rand and her philosophy of Objectivism. A philosophy based on individualism, reason, ethical and moral values, and the understanding that capitalism is the only truly moral economic system ever devised by man. These words by Rand were directed primarily at conservatives because they at the time, and are still doing so today, had abdicated the values on which they once stood. Conservatives would do well to listen to these words and reflect on the truth contained in them. For if conservatives are to once again be a formidable force for good, and what is right for America they must began to recognize where they went wrong.

The final post of "What is Capitalism". Rand brings her arguments for a vibrant capitalism to a powerful conclusion. Simply put, individualism, productive achievement, and a ethical and moral capitalism is far superior to socialism and collectivism

More on capitalism by one of the supremely rational minds of the 20th century. An understanding of capitalism, and its power to create wealth and lift the standard of living of an entire society, seems to have been lost on an a majority of the last three or four generations of American businessmen and government leaders. Many business leaders, and most elected government officials, have lost the true sense of what capitalism in its pure and true form can, and will accomplish for a society. The individual, when allowed to use their own mind and harness their productive capacity can accomplish great things. If all business leaders, and elected government officials understand the values and benefits of capitalism the country and the the people would be better off by far. Perhaps if they did we could rid ourselves of the corrupting influence of special interests and the strangling effects of greed. Ayn Rand was opposed to both, and she admired the creativeness and productive capacity o...

The third installment of "What is Capitalism" spends a good deal of time discussing values. While this segment is admittedly a bit dry, it is necessary to the discussion of capitalism and the moral basis that gives it legitimacy.

Yesterday I posted the first in a five part series on Capitalism. This Ayn Rand audio series, while obviously not a comprehensive covering of capitalism, does explains the philosophical, ethical, and moral justification for capitalism. Rand rationally, and very effectively, shows why capitalism is far superior to collectivism in all its sordid forms. She talks about the purpose of government, mans rights, voluntary choice, reason, property rights and more; illustrating how these principals relates to capitalism, making it a just and moral economic force. I hope you enjoy part two of "What is Capitalism?"

I came across this five part series on Capitalism done by Ayn Rand. This is the first in the series, and as would be expected Rand starts at the beginning. She takes the listener through the philosophical and moral basis for capitalism. I present the first in the series today for your consideration. A powerful philosophy for a just and moral society.