People say the “middle” is where the reasonable resides. But this makes no sense. Sometimes this is true, and sometimes it isn’t. For example, a moderate amount of chocolate is healthier (and ultimately more enjoyable) than an excessive amount. Reasonable … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Christmas in Iowa
Hating business or “corporate America” is like hating a bridge that you drive over; or hating an elevator you take to the 20th floor; or hating the instruments of your surgeon that he uses to heal you. For that matter, … Continue reading
Getting Help at Helping Yourself
Q: Dr. Hurd, I was disappointed with my recent therapy experience. Could the problem have been the therapist? I don’t know what I wanted; but I didn’t get it. Please advise. A: Look at what you’re saying. Let’s apply it … Continue reading
Must Good Deeds Lead to Punishment?
Q: Dr. Hurd, what do you think of the saying “No good deed goes unpunished”? A: I think very little of it and say it even less. The statement is basically a cynical comment that benevolence leads to ingratitude and … Continue reading
My Worth Is My Own, Thank You
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee opines, “Our worth comes from God.” When a candidate for U.S. President says this, it’s particularly relevant, because it implies that individual rights are not inherent to the nature of man — but are granted by … Continue reading
Greatness Is Out There, Somewhere
Having someone to look up to gives a sense of hope, inspiration and encouragement. It tells you that you too can have that success or, even if you cannot, that at least wonderful things exist in the world. Having someone … Continue reading
Party’s Over for Republicans
Republicans clearly long for Ronald Reagan. Not only was he more politically successful than any of the current crop of candidates are likely to be; he seemed to have “it.” But the problem for Republicans is: What is “it”? To … Continue reading
Honesty Is Easier
Q: Dr. Hurd, is it wrong to lie on my resume? A: Yes, but mainly because of what it does to yourself. You assault your sense of pride and self-worth when you attempt to gain something for nothing, or something … Continue reading
Whose Holiday?
Q: Dr. Hurd, I want to spend Christmas on a Caribbean island with my husband. I don’t want to be with my family or his family; he agrees. Yet I feel guilty. Nobody will be left alone, or anything like … Continue reading
What’s Power Got to Do With It?
There are people who seek power through acquiring lots of things via hard work. There are people who seek power through manipulation or coercion of others. Then there are people who don’t seek power at all. They seek accomplishment; fulfillment; … Continue reading
Got Mortgage Blues? Clinton’s Your Man
“If we cannot reach a voluntary agreement, I will consider legislation to address the problem,” said Hillary Clinton to a group of Wall Street bankers. She’s referring, of course, to the crisis of subprime mortgages. Several years ago, thousands of … Continue reading
Taxed to Death
Whoopi Goldberg, on a recent edition of The View, got it right about the estate tax–although she might not agree with the wider implications of her own words. Criticizing the “death tax” on The View she said, “I don’t want … Continue reading