Rand is still being talked about in regards to politics/economics because of Ryan. Though one can find lots to criticize in this long entry, she’s still being talked about:
The inspiration for Paul Ryan’s budget comes directly from Ayn Rand. In fact, far too much of the current budget debate is shaped by her philosophy that so viciously divides the world into “creators” against the “moochers” – the “makers” against the “takers.”
The left uses Rand’s name as a way to “smear” Paul Ryan’s budget. He, knowing they are right in the liability that comes from an association with Rand, has tried to disassociate himself from his previous praise of her.
From what I have gathered, yeah, I would agree with you softwareNerd. He did step way back away from Rand, but he can’t shake the association’s that opponents continually make. They get him wrong, and Rand wrong for the most part, but it does get her name and some of her ideas out there. This makes a way for us to correct them as well to the extent we can, to call them out on it.
Yeah, but 99% of the people who read the Huffington Post would automatically vote against Paul Ryan anyway, so I don’t think articles like this make any difference whatsoever.
The left uses Rand’s name as a way to “smear” Paul Ryan’s budget. He, knowing they are right in the liability that comes from an association with Rand, has tried to disassociate himself from his previous praise of her.
Ryan did not distance himself from Rand for the purpose of avoiding the left’s smears. He wasn’t trying to attract or appease people from the left. Rather, his distancing himself from her was an act of genuflecting to the Christian right. Prior to being selected as Romney running mate, he needed to assure the right that God was more important to him than Rand. He needed to eliminate any potential confusion about having been influenced by an atheist.