To the Editor:

In 2008, the CEO of BBT, John Allison, gave $1 million to Western Carolina University. Some have called the bequest a gift, others, a bribe. The purpose of the money was to endow a professorship in the university’s school of economics to teach “Objectivism.” Objectivism, more a philosophy of life than a true economic theory, is contained in the writings of the novelist, Ayn Rand. “Randism” can be boiled down to the phrase, “me first.” John Allison is a disciple of Ayn Rand. He gave a similar contribution to other colleges in North Carolina. Several had the integrity to decline.

A website devoted to Objectivism states that man is an end in himself. Happiness is not found in serving others, but in fulfilling one’s own self-interest. In other words, forget “do unto others.” As Ayn Rand states, “the source of man’s right is not divine law or congressional law, but the law of {self} identity.” So much for “one nation under God.”  This philosophy is carried over, somewhat shakily, to economics, which advocates a completely free market, with no government influence whatsoever, except as a policeman to enforce free market capitalism. The removal of government oversight for corporations, banks and Wall Street was a goal of the last Bush administration. We saw what ensued in the fall of 2008 when such safeguards were removed and the economy tanked. (A website devoted to Rand and Objectivism: www.aynrand.org).

Those who find Objectivism repugnant as a form of capitalism are not necessarily socialists, although they are often labeled as such by Rand disciples, such as the “BBT Distinguished Professor of Capitalism and Professor of Economics at Western Carolina’s College of Business,”  (Whew), Professor Lopez. Many people are strongly supportive of capitalism, but opposed to “predatory capitalism” as inherent in Objectivism, and find it abhorrent that such a philosophy should be taught at a state university. The goal of Objectivism, as it relates to economics, is “survival of the fittest,” to be the “the last man standing.” The trouble is, he’s the last man.

R. Michael Jones

Sylva