However, it also builds on our understanding. Ayn Rand once said, “all dictatorships are altruistic at their core.”

But she was WRONG! Look at all these petty little dictatorships…well, perhaps not so petty or little…such as Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and so forth and so on…all over the world!

90% of them run by “strong men” or “strong families” – where an “altruistic” state is TOTALLY absent! In fact, there’s not even a pretense of altruism. In fact, it’s the opposite…it’s “we’re going to crush you, unless you support me.”

Looks like Ayn Rand was TOO obsessed with Hitler and Stalin … who it looks like were the exception and NOT the rule. They promised “altruism” and Hitler (for a time) even delivered…Stalin never did and shares more in common with these “tin pot” quasi-monarchs, then Der Fuhrer ever did.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not praising Hitler or Stalin but it look like a state that “takes care of the people” (is altruistic) is anything BUT a dictatorship but rather a democracy…or at least a social-democratic republic.

It looks like Ayn Rand “super-man” would most likely come from today’s Canada, England, France, German and/or Sweden.

Notice how I left the United States OUT!

I recall hearing a brief, Libyan rebel-on-the-street interview that was thoughtful and fairly well articulated. He clearly preferred an elected government over the sultan-style regime.

However, the man spoke fairly good English. The skeptic in me wonders how he learned English, how he made his money before the revolution, what his educational background is, and whether he was really just a random guy, chosen for the interview because he could speak English or whether he was chosen by the rebels as a quasi-official spokesman.

Because the Libyans have no practice with democracy, it seems that there would be an increased risk of “Here is the new boss, Just like the old boss”.

I hope the Libyans don’t get fooled again.