Oh, and no disagreement with your other stuff..to a point, that is.
I agree with you on Ayn Rand...in fact, reading Rand should never be confused with adopting her rap. Dr. Seuss should be taken more seriously!

Now to your point about, "But it is much more common for people to know so little about politics, or the history of the country (you, know:   we tried that before and it either did or did not work), that all they can do is make their political choices (who and what to vote for) on a strictly emotional level, engendered by the lazy habit of listening to television rabble-rousers."

What if their 'philosophical' views are limited by their political parameters, of reality? Don't you think that once you have to step outside that politically created reality, isn't it time to take notice?...once you find out that the politically correct reality, doesn't even come close to the vastness of the human 'experience'? in fact, quite limiting?..you know, "and come running for the shelter, of your mother's 'little helper'"(the 'nanny' state?)....especially a 'Nanny State' that IGNORES its Constitutional duties, then goes on to fuck with everything under the sun, EXCEPT what they are supposed to be doing? Do you believe that we, as citizens are as much protected, and looked out for, as say, the interests of the mega-corps, whose only concern, in regards to us, is how much they can squeeze us for everything to facilitate them???....and then go on a lying campaign to sell us that it is our 'Rights' to have us 'forced' to be their subjects??...for THEIR ENHANCED PROFITS??...Uh-uh!!
..and yes, I do know my history, and political history, as well....maybe not all the ones you cherry pick, and hold close to your bosom....but then, that's your trip....and it's OK..just as long as political 'wills' don't intrude on the individual's rights....which, basically,is what politics is about..and attempting to make it look 'palatable'.
Sorry..not interested in joining the 'enthusiastic lemming society'! Nor am I interested in subscribing to false premises, just to accommodate a political notion...AND....I can do that, without being a threat to the lemmings, can't I??..or not?? Does someone who doesn't buy their lies, really become a threat to them??...Maybe, yes...regardless of NO attempt to do so!
If we don't agree, find the truth. If the truth opens one's eyes, let's not be so accustomed to being blind, that the light hurts our eyes, for a moment, so we'd rather stay blind!!?!

Ooops. gotta be somewhere...see ya'..
Waves..

GfS