: [Ayn Rand] escaped from the country to come to America, where she promptly lived the American Dream by starting out at the bottom and quickly earning a handsome salary in Hollywood.Perhaps this helps in explaining the libertarian infatuation with using artists so frequently in their examples when they discuss 'political economy'. For the millionth time: Artists (and other 'professional entertainers') constitute only 3% of the American population---and 'professional entertainers' includes all service employees of 'amusement and recreation facilities'(1), i.e. ushers, strippers, ticket collectors, and balloon sculptors! Using a minority of as little as 3% of a population to 'prove points' is a little like defending feudalism---which also made a minority appropriating class very happy.
Are you still with me? (Rand fanatics are notoriously poor at listening...)
: She married the man of her dreams and went on to become one of the most famous and controversial authors of her time. With a life like this, wouldn't you see nothing but evil in "collectivism" and nothing but purity and happiness in capitalism?...
OK, you've just made a succinct behavioral observation worthy of B.F. Skinner. Rand would not be pleased with that! (too close to Historical Materialism). You're supposed to assert that despite any environmental influence, a person determines her or his own ideology, destiny, etc., etc. Be 'objective'---get it?
: I'd recommend that you read "The Fountainhead" and "Anthem", to be inspired, and then "Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal", to challenge your perception of economic truth.
If you read even half of the post you are responding to, you¹d already know that I have read at least four books by Rand.
I'm not going to suggest any books for you to read, but you do need to broaden your horizons a bit. Fiction is not an especially good way to learn 'economic truths.'
Source:
1. Statistical Abstract of the United States 1997, table 645, p. 412.
None.
