Condemning Altruism as a Moral Weakness

Kris Karliner’s letter (June 1) concerning Hands Across America suggests she has read more than one of Ayn Rand’s novels glorifying selfishness and condemning altruism as a moral weakness. She wonders by what right participants in the event propound such morality or insist that it is the duty of all citizens to provide for one another.

Karliner’s questions prove that she missed the point. First, participation was voluntary, and chances are thousands of people did not make donations. Second, no one is forced, except through taxes, to help sustain the less fortunate in the United States. Third, and perhaps most important, the event proved that we still care enough about ourselves and our national future to make an effort to improve conditions, however trendy it may have seemed.

Personally, I had not felt like much of a citizen since the Olympic Torch Run--another “altruistic” fund-raiser.

If Karliner will set aside “Atlas Shrugged” for a bit, she may discover the sources that inspire other people to do silly things like stand in the street for 15 minutes and sing, or to contribute to other charities. Among mine are the Bible, with its Golden Rule, and the Preamble to the Constitution, which explains why the United States and Karliner exist.

If every American believed in Objectivism, as Karliner apparently does, the Union would be far less perfect than it is, with little domestic tranquility, no general welfare and very few blessings of liberty.

I hope no one ever has to take up a collection for me, but it’s comforting to know my countrymen are willing to help each other even in this age of self-satisfaction.

RUDI LOGAN

Los Angeles