Merck Credits Stevens With Inspiring People To Use Reason To Set Goals, Develop Skills & To Become Producers

Dallwyn Merck, a Governing Board Member of the Objectivist Party, has credited Dr. Tom Stevens, the party's Founder & Chair, with inspiring people to use reason to set goals, to develop skills and to become producers.

Mr. Merck made the following statement about the efforts Dr. Stevens has made to help worthy individuals:

I have known Dr. Stevens for decades. Over that period of time, I have seen him help many individuals of all ages and genders. He does not do this because he is altruistic. He is a trader by nature who has a keen eye for identifying potential in others who may be hungry to change their lives for the better or who may be going through difficult times. In return for his time and effort, he expects things in return that are valuable to him. It is a great example of a trade resulting in mutual benefit for both parties involved.

Dr. Stevens does inspire people to use reason to set goals, to develop skills and to become producers but he has also helped people with more tangible support as well. I have seen Dr. Stevens find housing for homeless people, advance college tuition payments, use his influence as a former President of the Hofstra University School of Law Alumni Association to get people into law school, advance two-months security for individuals moving into apartments, hire people for odd-jobs paying them up to $50.00 an hour, move people to New York who were facing abusive situations in their home life, and provide office space in his law office to help people launch new business ventures.

In return for this help, Dr. Stevens requires each individual to enter into a contract with him and since it is usually an oral contract, he requires all recipients to give him their word that they will fulfill their part of the bargain. What is asked for differs with each individual depending upon what they have of value to trade.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Dr. Stevens has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the time I have known him. A number of people have let him down and reneged on their commitments to him but I have always seen him bounce back because he does not believe that future worthy individuals should be discriminated against because a handful of others turned out to lack integrity and character.

The unfortunate truth is that most individuals are not prepared to make the changes necessary in their thinking, attitudes, beliefs and values to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Most people are not worthy of his time and even though Dr. Stevens tries to help people clarify the process of goal-setting through the use of reason, the reality is that most people are where they are because of the past decisions they have made. It is very hard to change people's habits and internal dialogues. Any individual who wants to change their life must be highly motivated to do so.

Dallwyn Merck has been a member of the Objectivist Party since it was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on February 2, 2008.