As you rightly infer, Ayn Rand would lean more to Aristotle than Epicurus. After all, Aristotle was an anti-democrat with right wing leanings as evidenced in his LAWS, as well as the teachings he imparted to his world dominating student, Alexander the Great.

One the other hand, Epicurus (the democrat) taught the good should be sought and an ethic that insists that each individual had the obligation to live in such a way as to obtain as much pleasure and little pain as possible. IF each individual behaved in this way, inflicting pain on others would be unthinkable---unless he were thinking that long ago of todays mean spirited Republicans.

You state:>"Everybody knows exactly what Bush is talking about."

Actually, I hardly ever understand Dubya. I have a whole collection of Bushisms around here someplace, but I am sure you have read them and winced aloud. Suffice it to say, we have Yogi Bera for president.

>"It's called maturity--growing up. Realizing that actions have consequences..."

Exactly again Tom, this is what scares me about Bush. Consequences are not only of the intended variety, but also come in the unintended variety. A lack of zeitgeist amongst Republicans is a frightening thing. What can we sell and who can we dominate and control does not constitute a world view.

FYI, I am a parent, have been a soldier, and would choose to have my children never have to be soldiers.

Anyone with kids knows this, or should. Certainly any soldier knows this.