Republican vice presidential pick Paul Ryan is the latest in a string of (usually conservative) politicians, pundits and entrepreneurs who have acknowledged a debt to novelist Ayn Rand. "What is attractive to conservative elites about Rand is that she gives them permission to gut social welfare, including popular programs like Medicare and Social Security," said Temple political scientist Joseph Schwartz. Ironically, Rand would deplore many conservatives today because they support corporate tax breaks and offer tax incentives to attract new businesses, he said.