Only thing driving her is selfish ambition
Debi Ghate's Thanksgiving article, "A Most Selfish Holiday" (Nov. 21) is well written and not blatantly offensive to any particular group, making it easy for the reader to buy into her philosophy. After all, who doesn't like to pat himself on the back for a job well done!
However, this outlook on life is not how America became great. Alexis De Tocqueville, the well-respected sociologist of the early 1800s stated that America is great because America is good, and if America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great.
The social Darwinist attitude Ghate cites in Ayn Rand's writings, which celebrate "me" and the "no-one-else-receives-credit" attitude on personal and corporate success, is very shallow and, if ultimately embraced by the majority of society, will result in America's loss of greatness.
The notion that one should base his every decision on what will best advance his own personal goals implies that it is morally and ethically OK to walk on other people in order to get ahead — as long as you don't break any laws.
There is no room for the compassionate society — one that will still care that you exist even if you are not on the top.
Can't Ghate and Rand see that if all individuals operate this way that there is little attractiveness left in society?
Their tactic may work, personally, as long as a significant segment of our world is still willing to care for his fellow man in spite of these selfish icons.
America's history confirms this to be the case.
Social Darwinism does not explain why a country would fight to abolish slavery in its own country, or offer aide to the starving and diseased of the world, or place our former World War II enemies back on their economic feet with the Marshall Plan.
These acts require individuals who Ghate and Rand must view as losers.
In spite of my indignation, I find Ayn Rand's philosophy understandable, given that she was an outspoken atheist — one whose worldview has no moral base from which to build.
The only thing left driving her is her selfish ambition. That's a pretty empty life.
The Bible has a name for this natural inclination — one that we all possess when left solely to our own devices. It is called sin. Instead of thanking ourselves for how great and lucky we are compared to the others around us, let's thank God that He did not abandon us to rely on our own self-destructive devices.
When we seek Him and His ways, make Him our basis for living out this world, we as a nation, will remain good and great.
Chris Martineau
Superior