The popularity of Barack Obama is not an indicator of the triumph of “liberal,” socialist ideas. Those ideas, while discredited, win by default because nobody will stand up for any credible alternative, even though such alternatives exist. Obama’s rise was … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Kindly Be Real
Don’t worry about hurting a loved one’s feelings. Worry about creating a web of deceit. Because when you lie or mislead to “spare another’s feelings” it has the same consequences as lying and misleading for any other reason. And don’t … Continue reading
Power to the Powerful
Hillary Clinton says we need a President who can be a “steward of the economy” rather than a President who admits that he doesn’t know much about the economy, such as John McCain. Who says? Hillary doesn’t know anything about … Continue reading
A Friend Indeed
A friend who asks how you’re doing, instead of talking only about himself, is a friend with the mental well-being to think about something other than himself. Don’t applaud him for being selfless. Instead, applaud him for being well put … Continue reading
Banking on Those Who are Hated
Socialism depends on capitalism. Without capitalism, there will be no socialist programs. Socialist programs do not pay for themselves. Consider American socialist programs such as public schools, Medicare and Social Security. These programs are paid for by income and payroll … Continue reading
Why Conservatism Lost
Earlier this week, Dr. Hurd wrote a Daily Dose of Reason article entitled “William F. Buckley: A Symptom of the Problem.” The article was also sent out to the media. (Subscribers to DrHurd.com PRIORITY ACCESS can view the article in … Continue reading
The Candidates We Don’t Have
I vote for a leader who wants people to have control over their own lives. I question any candidate who seeks power. I don’t care if he (or she) rationalizes the acquisition of that power as “caring” or “compassion.” I … Continue reading
Manners, Please
Manners are a product of civilization. Widespread rudeness is the result of a civilization in decline. A person should be polite, although not for the sake of others. Living for the sake of strangers leads, quite appropriately, to resentment … Continue reading
Independence
People typically look at the concept of independence this way: “If I do something by myself, alone, then I’m independent; if I do something at all in collaboration with someone else, I’m not independent.” This is erroneous. While being independent … Continue reading
Committed to Growth
Being committed to growth means that you are willing to question yourself and others; to think philosophically and critically, rather than just react to events; and to go by reason rather than by sheer “instinct.” Being committed to lifelong personal … Continue reading
A Symptom of the Problem
William F. Buckley was supposed to be a great inspiration to “the conservative movement.” Yet for all his charm, eloquence and intelligence, he was a symptom of the problem. The conservative movement has been defined primarily by (1) the absence … Continue reading
What Kind of President Will He Be?
Will Obama, if elected, govern as a middle-of-the-road “centrist” or as a strong left-wing zealot? My prediction: The latter. Why? Because: (1) He will have a left-wing Congress, in power so far as the eye can see (so too would … Continue reading