Great presentation.

I would add only a few words: Enabling what you have described: Clear Channel, owner of some 200 radio stations, featuring Limbaugh, Hannity, and Ingram--a small station carries Tom Hartman--went public in 1984; Fairness Doctrine overtrurned in 1987; Rush Limbaugh began national show in 1988; Ayn Rand lectured 1961-1981.

"Trump’s brand is Ayn Rand Donald Trump’s circle seems to be influenced by Rand’s writing

follow us in feedly ROBERT REICH MARCH 19, 2018 11:00AM (UTC) This originally appeared on Robert Reich’s blog. Donald Trump once said he identified with Ayn Rand’s character Howard Roark in “The Fountainhead,” an architect so upset that a housing project he designed didn’t meet specifications he had it dynamited.

Others in Trump’s circle were influenced by Rand. “Atlas Shrugged” was said to be the favorite book of Rex Tillerson, Trump’s secretary of state. Rand also had a major influence on Mike Pompeo, Trump’s CIA chief. Trump’s first nominee for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, said he spent much of his free time reading Rand."

Paul Ryan, Grover Norquist and many other Republican politicians were swayed by Rand.

Establish principles, then never compromise, main reason for deadlock and extreme partisanship we see today.

She had a long affair with Nathaniel Branden during which her husband would go down to the local tavern while Branden and his wife carried on upstairs.

Not quite as sordid as Trump, cult leader Rand's influence on conservative political groups continues today.