The Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights

From the ARC Lecture Series, October 29, 2008—Although John McCain and Barack Obama struggled during their presidential campaigns to distinguish themselves in terms of particular promises, it is crucial for Americans to recognize that these politicians are indistinguishable in terms of fundamentals.

In this talk, which is a sequel to his article of the same title, Craig Biddle, editor of The Objective Standard, delves deeper into the philosophy that gives rise to McCain and Obama’s unified calls for Americans to sacrifice for a “greater good.” Mr. Biddle argues that the sacrificial agendas of both men are rooted ultimately in religion—and that religion is what Americans must be willing and able to challenge if we want to return government to its proper function of protecting our rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.