Where is John Galt? And merry [Christ]mas

I am enjoying the fruits of our holiday labor now. Home with the family on Christmas day. At the same time, I've had a chance to reflect on some recent events such as the senate's passing of the insane, ineffective and rediculous heather care insurance reform bill. I think back about the reduction of freedoms Ayn Rand spoke about in her novel Atlas Shrugged and I see our freedoms being siphoned away every day. Soon the victim will be required by mandate to contribute to those who have not earned it, and the greath weath redistribution program will continue to grow.

But back to my original train of thought. My Mother in law is a liberal english teacher. We discussed Rand just a bit this morning, and she mentioned how "anti-christian" she was. I certainly believe that as an objectivist, Rand's morality and core tennants led her toward a lifestyle that I would consider "un Christ like" but at the same time, I'm not sure that I would consider all of her teaching un-Christian, and certainly not....un-conservative.

Rand rails about the mystics of religion, and to some extent I agree with her. We are not bound by earthly representations of our Father in heaven's will. We have the Bible, we have free will, and we chose to give of our first fruits in terms of tithes back to him. Much as Rand would certainly agree that an investor in a succesful business is required to be paid the return on his investment, so to does God request that we repay him out of our profits.

As Jesus spoke about...render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's. I believe that God is the source of my intelectual capital. He is the provider of the funds that are required for me to do my job effectively. He has given me my itelligence, has given me my guidance, and he has brought great success to my business. Why would I not repay my investor in just such a manner as Dagney Taggart repays the holder of her Railroad bonds (or at least, makes an attempt).

So while there is much with the lifestyle and underlying philosophy that I disagree with when it comes to Ayn Rand and her philosophy, I must say that as a Christian, a businessman, and a conservative, I must first trade value for value and repay my investors who have provided much to ensure the success of my business.

I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. .... only one man did this for us...Jesus Christ...isn't it time we paid him back for his investment?