"There can be no compromise on basic principles. There can be no compromise on moral issues. There can be no compromise on matters of knowledge, of truth, of rational conviction."
Her ideas are seen in The Fountainhead, like a punch in the face, through the protagonist, Howard Roark. He is a young, independent-minded architect who utterly refuses to compromise in his work. He designs his buildings in the unique style of modern architecture while others around him are glued to older styles. Roark even blows up one of his own buildings because he would rather see it demolished than altered in any way by someone else. Although I agree with some of his principles of individualism, hasn't he ever heard of teamwork? I guess not...
Rand makes it clear in the thoughts, words, and actions of Roark that she believes a person needs to take what they believe, and stick to it, no matter what they need to do to keep it that way. Apparently, being an arsonist, and destroying public property is a-okay in Rand's book, no pun intended.
In his article, Piperni bluntly calls Rand a hypocrite. His reasoning for this is that after Rand developed lung cancer, she took her husband, Frank O'Connor's last name so she could receive governmental help for treatment. This totally goes against one of her statements in which she says that she "despised government interference and felt that people should and could live independently..." She didn't feel that an individual should take help. Shouldn't Rand have figured out a way to financially get treatment herself then, though "doctors cost a lot more money than books earn..."? (Evva Pryror, social worker and consultant to Miss Rand's law firm of Ernst, Cane, Gitlin and Winick). Mario Piperni later states that "In the end, the queen of individual rights and limited government and staunch opponent of the welfare state, turned out to be nothing more than your common, everyday hypocrite."
Honestly, I think Mario is being way too harsh. If you were in her shoes, what would you do? Would you sit around as the lung cancer spreads? Would you reject the money that you didn't have to care for yourself when you were dying? (Excuse my lack of euphemism.) Of course not! You have a spouse, kids, dog, job, or whatever! You're not going to sit around at home and do nothing, despite what you might have said before. In the end, who really cares what the public thinks of you? It's what you think of yourself that matters. If the press, or anyone, wants to criticize you for comments you made previously, let them. You need to do all you can to help yourself in that kind of situation. Stubborness is no reason to let yourself go when something could help you. Besides, no one ever said Rand gave in easily. Just the fact that she did it secretly means that she knew she was going against her principles, and was not proud of it. I know I don't blame her. I would have done the same thing in her situation. I virtually applaud Rand for being strong enough to go against the morals she lived and preached by everyday, even though I know through the intensity of her opinions in The Fountainhead, that it was not an easy task for her.
On a national note, there are millions of people suffering from all types of cancer. They all have to accept some type of help because no one can totally afford those doctor bills. What makes Rand any different?
In closing, every person says a hypocritical thing at least one in their life. If Rand stayed true to her statements her entire life until the point where she had medical issues, and didn't have a choice, can't we give her a break?
Honestly, I think Mario is being way too harsh. If you were in her shoes, what would you do? Would you sit around as the lung cancer spreads? Would you reject the money that you didn't have to care for yourself when you were dying? (Excuse my lack of euphemism.) Of course not! You have a spouse, kids, dog, job, or whatever! You're not going to sit around at home and do nothing, despite what you might have said before. In the end, who really cares what the public thinks of you? It's what you think of yourself that matters. If the press, or anyone, wants to criticize you for comments you made previously, let them. You need to do all you can to help yourself in that kind of situation. Stubborness is no reason to let yourself go when something could help you. Besides, no one ever said Rand gave in easily. Just the fact that she did it secretly means that she knew she was going against her principles, and was not proud of it. I know I don't blame her. I would have done the same thing in her situation. I virtually applaud Rand for being strong enough to go against the morals she lived and preached by everyday, even though I know through the intensity of her opinions in The Fountainhead, that it was not an easy task for her.
On a national note, there are millions of people suffering from all types of cancer. They all have to accept some type of help because no one can totally afford those doctor bills. What makes Rand any different?
In closing, every person says a hypocritical thing at least one in their life. If Rand stayed true to her statements her entire life until the point where she had medical issues, and didn't have a choice, can't we give her a break?
