LOVE this !! It is relatively simple to ascertain how Ayn Rand's vaporware worked during reality of COVID in the US of A.

1) Who were doing the 'essential jobs'? ==Takers !!

2) What percentage of them believe in her "philosophy"? == I wager in single digit

"In America, the ticket knows no skin color. It only knows whether or not you've made a choice to stay in school, pursue higher education, and stay away from drugs and drink and other bad choices, which no race ever forces any other race to do."

I am sure you really believe what you posted; it is full of assumptions and…

Well ... that may be the case, but here in America our founding fathers have given us rights and freedom !!

Just to list a few, we have freedom --- --- to file for bankruptcy after getting medical treatments; to get shot at or even be a martyr while doing daily chores so our patriots can dress up and play war games; to deny…

Hmmm ... but, but, but ... the God and all founding fathers gave me freedom and rights to express my individuality by being a loud, armed, wasteful citizen of the greatest country ever in this universe!!

And millions of us gave even more freedom and rights to our corporations to do whatever they can get away with!

You are so mean !! :-P

I guess that is one of the reasons why most "news" here doesn't talk / show much about other countries -- exception being when it can show how poor / stupid "others" are or how rich / amazing we are!

That's how you get someone who hasn't left their county in their life to firmly believe that they live in the "greatest country in the universe" !!

Before asking about solutions -- first at least get people (read 50% Americans) to *acknowledge and accept* that what is mentioned in this post are actual problems!

You can start with basic stuff to convince abovementioned people that,

Only theoretical, armchair "thinkers" support flat tax "theory".

Are you seriously saying with a straight face that someone paying $100k tax on $1m income is 'equivalent' and 'fair' to someone paying $1k tax on $10k?

Bah humbug !!!

.. and "Essential Workers" ! <sarc>

Great article with many important data points! But when half the country is not even willing to wear mask to save 'others'; there is no hope that they will even consider any of the solutions!

Firstly, America's immigration process is fully (overly) capable of screwing with LEGAL immigrants -- so no need to do the same to illegal ones who are in much difficult situation.

Secondly, what would you suggest replace "Give me your tired, give me your poor ....."?

You seem to be infected by ARV (Ayn Rand Virus) !!

The symptoms include wallowing in theoretically logical but practically useless "theories" of how things should be; while being conveniently ignorant or intentionally dishonest about all the handouts they have taken to be where they are !!