November 22, 2010

Thanksgiving—The Producers' Holiday

We would like to share with you the following message to ARI donors from Yaron Brook.

Dear ARI Contributor:

In a 1974 essay Ayn Rand observed that “Thanksgiving is a typically American holiday. In spite of its religious form (giving thanks to God for a good harvest), its essential, secular meaning is a celebration of successful production. It is a producers’ holiday. The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production.”

We convey this idea to the media and the general public each year at this time, for example with Debi Ghate’s op-ed, “Thanksgiving: A Most Selfish Holiday,” which has appeared in recent years in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the San Francisco Chronicle. (You can read it here.)

As we celebrate the “producer’s holiday,” and as the year draws to a close, we look back on 2010 with gratitude for your support of the Ayn Rand Institute. Without your confidence in our mission, your loyal support, and your generosity, none of what we have achieved this year would have been possible.

On behalf of all of us at ARI, I thank you.

The recently concluded elections suggest that Americans are responding to the threat of huge, collectivist government. That backlash to the initiatives of the past two years is encouraging.

Going forward, however, rejection of the status quo will not be enough. The elections indicate that people know what they do not want; they now are searching for answers.

As you know, the ideas of freedom and capitalism are more needed today in the culture than ever before. We are living in what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence the culture. 

Here at ARI we are preparing for 2011 with a series of new efforts, and expansion of existing programs, that will position us well to contribute to the search for solutions to the current crisis.

Over the next few weeks, I will update you on our accomplishments in 2010 as well as our plans going forward. Given the magnitude of the continued threat of statism, it is imperative that we continue to speak out in defense of reason, individual liberties and capitalism.

Your support would be greatly appreciated as we move forward into 2011. Moreover, it may be advantageous to you personally to make a tax-deductible contribution to ARI before the end of this year.

Whatever support you can provide in the coming weeks will be greatly appreciated, and put to the best use possible.

Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,

Yaron Brook
President and Executive Director

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