Stealing is not a crime, Italy’s highest court ruled this week — when small amounts of food are taken in desperate need. The ruling was in the case of a homeless man named Roman Ostriakov, who in 2011 was caught … Continue reading
My recent article on the lost virtue of manners resulted in a lot of responses. The overwhelming majority were positive. A particularly insightful reader said this: At the base of any political system is the issue of, “Are we individuals … Continue reading
Inequality, we have to keep in mind, is not the same thing as poverty. When people like Timothy Noah complain that “income distribution in the United States is now more unequal than in Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guyana, and Venezuela,” they act … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I am wondering how you got through your social work program (Master’s in Clinical Social Work) not being a stereotypical liberal? I am in a social work program now and I’m having difficulty with this. My reply: … Continue reading
A recent review of Ayn Rand and Objectivism attempted to debunk Rand’s philosophy. The article, “This Is What Happens When You Take Ayn Rand Seriously” was written by a research psychologist. In the article, she bemoans that more students than … Continue reading
British television personality and former The Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins is well on her way into seniorhood, a stage of life that she recently told Radio Times means a person is ripe for termination. Old people, she says, should be … Continue reading
Hillary Clinton bemoans what she sees as unfair tax policy, arguing it’s wrong “when hedge fund managers pay a lower tax rate than truck drivers or nurses.” You hear this all the time. About the better off paying “their fair … Continue reading
I will ignore the presidential drivel from last night, and write about something positive, instead. “If I’m elected to serve as commander-in-chief we won’t cower in the face of evil,” says presidential candidate Ted Cruz, in a new political commercial. … Continue reading
I hope actor Bryan Cranston made a boatload of money for his role in the television series, “Breaking Bad.” His performance was riveting, and he deserves every penny of it. Unfortunately, I do not think Mr. Cranston feels this way. … Continue reading
Does honesty matter in business? A reader recently wrote me about his employer. He states he has a new sales job which for the most part is fun, and pays well. However, he’s being told to lie to customers that … Continue reading
I grew up in the house of altruism. My mother made it very clear that as a single mother she had sacrificed her life for her children; that she had given up her own happiness, cashed in her entire retirement … Continue reading
The following comments were written by Carl Barney, a highly successful businessman and regular reader of Dr. Michael Hurd’s writings. Carl Barney is the chairman of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE), which consists of a group of … Continue reading