The Objectivism Online Meta-Blog

Today I got together a parcel for my Conservative candidate Simon Hart.

After thinking long and hard about it, I chose Atlas Shrugged as the book to send him.
I also sent this letter.

Dear Simon Hart,

I enclose, as a gift, a copy of Ayn Rand's novel 'Atlas Shrugged'. Ayn Rand was a Russian-American author and philosopher who, for the first time, set out a credible moral defence of free markets and the proper nature of government.

The novel was recently voted the second most influential book in the USA, and certainly had a huge impact on my personal political and philosophical development.

The book describes a future world where statism is prevalent, and where public policy punishes success. The book draws striking parallels to today's recession: everything from the reactionary economic policies being pursued, to the language New Labour politicians use to deliver them could easily have been lifted straight from the pages of this book. People are currently flocking to buy this novel, the Ayn Rand Institute reports that sales have tripled since the economic crisis began.

I believe it is important for all intellectual and political activists, especially those in office, to have read this book, which so eloquently describes the roots and the results of the ideas antithetical to freedom. For this reason I recommend, if you have not done so already, that you examine Rand's principles.

If you take the time to read this book, I would be extremely grateful if you would let me know what you think of it.

If Mr. Hart responds, I'll post it here.