[FreeKeys]

Since when do Randians care about the downtrodden?

I'm a "Randian," and not only do I give $thousands to poor, downtrodden people (of my own choosing), but I advocate for them, and help them navigate the byzantine health care system as well. As another Randian, Glenn Woiceshyn, has written, "One byproduct of individualism is benevolence -- a general attitude of good will towards one's neighbors and fellow human beings. Benevolence is impossible in a society where people violate each others' rights [as is built-in to the structure of the collectivist state]."

[DManA]

I can’t disagree with anything you say. I have a friend who considers himself a Randian who interprets these things completely differently.

He sees no difference between greed and self interest. Obviously you are self interested but not greedy.

Self interest is constructive. Greed is destructive.

[Ed Hudgins]

David Kelley who founded The Atlas Society wrote a book entitled “Unrugged Individualism: The Selfish Basis of Benevolence.”