:Most people in this country, as a result of the Enlightenment, have had at least an implicit philosophy of individualism and have resisted statist impositions like rationing. That has not been "no more than a random collection of contradictions emoted". They did not need to be dissuaded from overt intrusions like rationing.

But their individualist sense of life had no commonly acknowledged explicit philosophic principles and understanding by which to defend it, making them vulnerable to the more explicit collectivism of establishment intellectuals. Religious beliefs in faith and altruism opposing reason and egoism have only made it worse, making them more vulnerable.

As American individualism has been increasingly undermined, the 'natural' resistance to statism has weakened. Ayn Rand was very clear about what needs to be done: Spread the proper philosophical ideas until they dominate the culture with understanding that can be defended. There are no short cuts.