Good ideology
Reader comment on item: A Better World[, Explains Michael Mandelbaum]

Submitted by Motty (Canada), Dec 27, 2002 at 20:57

First, I want to comment on the notion of the Anonymous, December 27 comment about "ideologies have disappeared", as if ideologies are bad in themselves.

The Capitalist ideology of individual's right to life, right to property earned by honest effort and right to pursuit of individual happiness unencumbered by governmental action is a great ideology. This ideology stems from the Objectivist Philosophy discovered by Ayn Rand. I say 'discovered', because this is the philosophy of Human Nature and life itself. It is not an invention of some well-wisher attempting to please.

Peace, democracy and free markets are a natural extension to Capitalist ideology, because Capitalism needs all three to sell its good and services, and profit -- for the benefit of users.

The recent outburst of Militant Islam visibly curtails the benefits Capitalism brings to the World. The Anonymous and I say that the threat Militant Islam brings to the World is not yet recognized. Instead of laying the responsibility for the safety of Muslim countries' inhabitants on the shoulders of their rulers, Americans and Israelis feel responsible for these 'innocent civilians'. My heart goes out for the 'innocent civilians' caught in the struggle, but their safety is not the West's responsibility. Only with this understanding in mind, can the West speedily and efficiently eradicate the terrorists of Militant Islam with minimal casualties to the World's population. The remaining 'innocent civilians' will be grateful to the West for bringing peace, democracy and world markets to them for the first time in their history.

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