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'''Ayn Rand''' (February 2, 1905 – March 6, 1982), born in St. Petersburg, [[Russia]],<ref>Born as Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum.</ref> was a [[libertarian]] author.  She was a [[fiscal conservative]] advocating free unregulated [[capitalism]], who opposed [[collectivism]], [[socialism]], [[communism]] and [[fascism]]. However, on social issues, she was [[liberal]]. Ayn Rand was a big supporter of unlimited [[abortion]]-on-demand,<ref>Ayn Rand wrote that "An embryo ''has no rights''. ...  A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born." http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_FAQ#obj_nr_vs_ar (emphasis in original)</ref> and an [[atheism|atheist]].  She began her career in Hollywood, and has been described as a promoter of a philosophy known as [[Objectivism]]. Her best-known novels are ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' and ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand asserted that selfishness was a virtue and [[altruism]] was wrongheaded (see also: [[Atheism and uncharitableness]]). She wrote a book entitled ''The Virtue of Selfishness''.  

'''Ayn Rand''' (February 2, 1905 – March 6, 1982), born in St. Petersburg, [[Russia]],<ref>Born as Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum.</ref> was a [[libertarian]] author.  She was a [[fiscal conservative]] advocating free unregulated [[capitalism]], who opposed [[collectivism]], [[socialism]], [[communism]] and [[fascism]]. However, on social issues, she was [[liberal]]. Ayn Rand was a big supporter of unlimited [[abortion]]-on-demand,<ref>Ayn Rand wrote that "An embryo ''has no rights''. ...  A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born." http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_FAQ#obj_nr_vs_ar (emphasis in original)</ref> and an [[atheism|atheist]].  She began her career in Hollywood, and has been described as a promoter of a philosophy known as [[Objectivism]]. Her best-known novels are ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' and ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand asserted that selfishness was a virtue and [[altruism]] was wrongheaded (see also: [[Atheism and uncharitableness]]). She wrote a book entitled ''The Virtue of Selfishness''.  

Ayn Rand's novels often had political messages, such as laissez-faire capitalism with minimum government intervention (known by the name Minarchism) in business.  Ayn Rand strongly objected to socialism and nationalism. Combined, more than twelve million copies of her two best-known novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. Despite her anti-[[Christian]] and liberal views on social issues, her opposition to state economic intervention has made her works and philosophy popular with the [[TEA Party]] movement.<ref>''Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest'', Colorado Independent, Wendy Norris - 2/28/09 - [http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest]</ref>  She was a heavy cigarette smoker until she was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 70, which cut her life short.<ref>https://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/smoke/</ref>

Ayn Rand's novels often had political messages, such as laissez-faire capitalism with minimum government intervention (known by the name Minarchism) in business.  Ayn Rand strongly objected to socialism and nationalism. Combined, more than twelve million copies of her two best-known novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. Despite her anti-[[Christian]] and liberal views on social issues, her opposition to state economic intervention has made her works and philosophy popular with the [[Tea Party Movement]].<ref>''Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest'', Colorado Independent, Wendy Norris - 2/28/09 - [http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest]</ref>  She was a heavy cigarette smoker until she was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 70, which cut her life short.<ref>https://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/smoke/</ref>

==Early life==

==Early life==