Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Letter to the editor:

A paradox of political reality

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Paul Ryan’s GOP convention speech divulged an interesting dichotomy in political philosophy.

As a Randian proponent of free-market capitalism, he also eschews her atheistic beliefs. It’s interesting to point out capitalism’s origins as an expression of Social Darwinism, itself an atheistic worldview, while the liberal Democratic talking point of “spreading the wealth” via “social justice” programs is essential Christian doctrine.

This strikes me as just another conservative contradiction. Before the 18th century, Enlightenment, privation, humility and charity were considered Christian virtues. Liberal thinkers such as Voltaire and religious reformers turned these traditions into the ironic political situation we have today.

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