Do you stand with Rand?
The Stand With Rand PAC does, but not the Rand we had in mind. Supposedly. The Rand PAC, which has been promoting Rand Paul, is claiming that they’re actually supporting Ayn Rand after drawing scrutiny from the FEC.
The super PAC made the contention in a letter to the Federal Election Commission after the FEC said that it cannot use a politician’s name unless that politicians authorizes it.
“This Committee responds to its pending RFAI by noting that it is unaware that the late Ayn Rand, noted philosopher and author of Atlas Shrugged, is seeking election to federal office,” the PAC says in the letter.
But in glorious libertarian fashion, the Stand With Rand PAC also contends that, while they are actually promoting Ayn Rand rather than Rand Paul, preventing them from promoting Rand Paul would infringe on their right to free speech.
The PAC then argues that restricting the use of any name of a member of Congress impinges on free speech.
“With 435 Representatives and 100 Senators many first, last, and even middle names would be prohibited from such broad overreach,” the letter says. “Thus, the use of just a first or last name is insufficient to trigger such a harsh restraint on speech.”
You may be a libertarian if you refuse to take responsibility for your actions and then claim your actions are protected speech anyway.