[darrencauthon]

I'm a fan of Ayn Rand and her books. But pointing out obvious issues with this article doesn't take a fan, it just takes someone who knows her work. It's not correct.

"Ayn Rand’s novel “Atlas Shrugged” fantasizes a world in which anti-government citizens reject taxes and regulations, and “stop the motor” by withdrawing themselves from the system of production."

Ayn Rand was not anti-government, nor did her heroes "withdraw themselves from the system of production." They continued to be very productive - they just moved away.

"Ayn Rand’s philosophy suggests that average working people are “takers.”

False, and absolutely unsubstantiated. I've read most of what she wrote, and nowhere is this suggested.

"In keeping with Ayn Rand’s assurance that “Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue,” the super-rich are relentless in their quest to make more money by eliminating taxes."

Ayn Rand did not advocating hoarding money for the sake of money. To her, money is a tool for trade amongst productive people. It's the production that matters, and money is just one of the potential results.

She wrote: "So long as men live together on earth and need means to deal with one another—their only substitute, if they abandon money, is the muzzle of a gun."

"Ayn Rand’s hero John Galt said, “We are on strike against those who believe that one man must exist for the sake of another.” In his world, Atlas has it easy, with only himself to think about."

Someone hasn't read the book, because John Galt didn't have it easy. This particular quote can be summarized simply by saying "Let us live our own lives."