Ayn Rand was “a thing” when I was growing up of the 1960s and 70s, though most people today wonder how that was possible.
Here’s an AI summary of what liberals/altruists gave us:
Liberalism has historically driven the establishment of fundamental rights, social safety nets, and regulatory protections in the U.S. Key contributions include the Bill of Rights, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, civil rights legislation, the 40-hour work week, women’s suffrage, and environmental protection laws, focusing on individual liberty and equality.
Fundamental Rights & Freedoms: Promotion of freedom of speech, religion, the press, and separation of church and state.
Social Safety Nets: Creation of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to protect vulnerable populations.
Labor Protections: Establishment of the 40-hour work week, child labor laws, overtime pay, and safe working conditions
Consumer & Environmental Safety: Implementation of the Pure Food and Drug Act and regulations for cleaner air and water.
Public Infrastructure: Expansion of public education and investment in infrastructure.
Earlier today, I was sitting near two women whose conversation went like this:
Woman #1: I’m so happy to hear that President Trump will be relocating the Palestinians from Gaza, enabling him to give that land to Israel and establish what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East” along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean.
Woman #2: Are the Palestinians unhappy in their home?
I’m thinking: Well, I haven’t interviewed any of them personally, but they have been living there since the Bronze Age, about 5000 years ago.
Re: the meme here, I wonder what the people living in the happiest nations on Earth would say.
From the 2026 World Happiness Ranking, here are the top 6:
- Finland (7.76)
- Iceland (7.54)
- Denmark (7.54)
- Costa Rica (7.44)
- Sweden (7.26)
- Norway (7.24)
Notice anything?
They are all social democracies. Their average citizens pay slightly higher taxes, but a) they receive free education and healthcare, and b) there is virtually no poverty.
Providing the conditions under which the poor can become affluent is, of course, a good thing. Quality education and free daycare is a good start.
But making rich people richer with tax breaks for billionaires has been a proven failure.
Looks Like Trickle-Down Economics Is Still Alive in the Minds of Conservatives
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