Ayn Rand's controversial views and opinions on ethical selfishness paved the way for liberating and absolving society's conservative elite from guilt or compassion toward those less fortunate in society, including those in the middle class, the working poor, and minorities. Although Rand wrote her theory decades ago, her brand of ethical selfishness is still touted as gospel by some politicians and those in the upper echelons of society, creating gridlock in government and a deep division between the classes. To understand Ayn Rand's theory of ethical selfishness, we must first understand her background and the era in which she grew up. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on February 2, 1905, Rand witnessed the Kerensky revolution she supported and the Bolshevik revolution she denounced. She changed her name from Alissa Rosenbaum to Ayn ​​Rand in 1926 – around this time she also abandoned her Jewish religion and became an atheist. Her family fled Russia to escape violence, and her father's business was confiscated. Faced with near-starvation during those turbulent years, Rand's fascination with American history began. He attended Petrograd University where he studied philosophy and history; however, his university experience ended badly when the school was taken over by the communist government. She moved to the United States without ever intending to return to her homeland ("Ayn Rand Biography (1905-1982))". The basic premise of Rand's ethical egoism is that everyone should take care of themselves and themselves alone. What Rand is really saying is that human beings don't really matter unless they can be used in some way to further our self-interest. In other words, we have no obligation... half the doc... on Kutcher and Ayn Rand in Filibuster. Benfer, Amy. “And the Rand continued to play.” Mother Jones. Mother Jones and Web. March 10, 2014. .Siegelbaum, Lewis. "Anti-parasitic law". Seventeen moments of Soviet history. NP Network. March 10, 2014. Rand, Ayn. "The Objectivist Ethics". Ayn Rand Institute. Ayn Rand Institute. Network. 10 March 2014. .Holland, Giosuè. “Ayn Rand railed against government benefits, but took Social Security and Medicare when she needed them.” Tea Party and the far right. AlterNet, January 28, 2011. Web. March 20 2014. .