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
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
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
Election 2008: Our Foreign Policy Choices
McCain: Fight terrorism with conventional warfare that has nothing whatsoever to do with the terrorist threat itself. Spend 100 years sacrificing young American soldiers in Iraq, or longer if necessary. Glorify sacrifice and dare anyone to question this of a … Continue reading
The Error of Regrets
People who dwell on regrets are making the error of granting the past too much importance. The reason I say “too much importance” is because nothing about the past can be changed by anyone. It’s self-evidently done, and over, by … Continue reading
The Powerless Who Seek Power
Power, in the usual sense of the term, isn’t even necessary. Power over yourself is what you possess if you first have: control of your mind; a confidence in the ability of your mind to trust its senses and to … Continue reading