We don’t choose a president and vice president solely to enact specific policies — we elect them to provide leadership. And that’s another reason why this election is so crucial. The current president says that entrepreneurs misappropriate resources provided by society. He describes the U.S. Constitution as deeply flawed. And he complains that the U.S. has too often been the world’s bully. These aren’t specific policies — they’re attitudes that reflect President Obama’s vision for the country. Paul Ryan has consistently expressed the exact opposite attitudes.
Paul Ryan isn’t John Galt because John Galt was not cut out for politics. Show me a person who never bends their principles and I’ll show you a person who is likely unelectable. And if by some fluke that person were elected, they would certainly be ineffective. Most of the work of the legislature occurs before any final show of hands.
You can reject Paul Ryan because he’s not John Galt. But if you do, be prepared to confront John Galt’s worst nightmare.
Ira Brodsky is a writer based in St. Louis, Missouri, and the author of five books.
