Thor1776

Thanks for your comments everybody. Ayn Rand once said that it was moral to attack the Soviet Union, or any "slave pen", but that didn't necesarily mean it was in the best interests of the US to do it. I think the same logic could be applied in this case. I think you have a moral right, but since it would be illegal, and you would potentially be punished for it, it may not be in your own best interest. However, this leads to the situation described below. I asked the question because I watch how the government distributes its loot to "interest groups" ie moochers and looters, many of whom spend it to enrich themselves. They stay in expensive hotels while travelling on "business", eat in expensive restaurants while on "business", go on luxurious "business" trips, etc, etc. It may or may not be illegal, but it's stealing for your own personal enrichment just the same. They're not accountable for their spending in the same way they would be if it was funded by private capital. Politicians and bureacrats using taxpayer money to inflate their expense accounts in another example. The fact that the "government" is paying for this spending causes many individuals to behave in a way they would never behave if it was private capital. Are some of them using the fact that they have their money stolen from them as a justification for their behaviour? If so, is that moral also?

I'm curious as to what other people think about this subject. It's a little bit like asking if it's moral to take back what a thief has stolen from you, isn't it?

I read somewhere that Ayn Rand was once asked if she could explain her philosophy while standing on one foot, which she did successfully. Maybe try that! Good luck! Thor1776

If you're from Australia and enjoy Ayn Rand's work and would like to discuss it in more detail, please email me at [email protected] Cheers, Thor1776