I sadly chuckled when I read Ron Molen's rant on Ayn Rand's "extremists" and how their "Neanderthal individualism poisons the community on which democracy survives" ("Rand extremists," Forum, June 11).

Rand's philosophy has nothing to do with favoring special interests and shrinking the middle class. It's about individual responsibility and the government having a well-defined role to protect our right to do what we think is right. It is the only truly fair way to govern. Having gifted people do what they do best and get the rewards of their abilities brings out the best in a society.

The world is better because of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and other gifted people. They deserve their wealth, and we should thank them every day for their talents.

In Molen's socialist utopia, these people never get that chance to be great because the reward is not there. They would be forced to "share" their wealth with the less fortunate. How did that work out with Cuba?

All the followers of Rand want is to be left alone. Let the cream rise to the top, and all of society benefits. What happened in the financial meltdowns has nothing to do with this philosophy.

David T. Lancaster

Murray