I share your hope that the Tea Party will not reject Rand. Obviously, I am no objectivist, as I am religious. However, it’s clear to me that objective morality is the only legitimate basis for civil government.
I do take issue with you on Christianity being anti-capitalist though. By Rand’s definition of sacrifice, the Bible prescribes none. If anything, it is a cosmic model of trading value for value and pursing long-term self-interest. Jesus bought something for his trouble, something He valued more than mortal life. We are not asked to give without return, but are promised eternal if undeserved value.
I understand why objectivists see Christianity as anti-capitalist. But I think they misconstrue it as many Christians misconstrue Rand’s notion of selfishness. The reason it’s so hard for a “rich man” to get into heaven is because he is too content with this life to perceive eternal value. His sin is not being rich. If material prosperity were inherently evil, God would not have blessed so many of his servants with it.
