Q: From your Living Resources Newsletter, you said to “Show me a candidate who actually stands for individual rights and freedom”, and I was wondering if you’d heard anything about Ron Paul. I quote from his website: “Congressman Ron Paul … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
The Popularity of Populism
What’s all this talk about “populism” in the presidential campaign? We’re being told that the most “populist” candidates are so far winning. Evidently it’s popular to bash Wall Street, capitalism, or even the nature of profit and prosperity, as such. … Continue reading
Success Is Objective, Not Relative
Success, like happiness, is an objective standard, not a relative one. If you make more money than your competitor, this says little about your success. Your success is defined by the relationship among: the use of your mind, your efforts … Continue reading
Ideas RIP: 1776-2008
I suppose Election 2008 is the result of ideology being dead. Take a look at the winners thus far. You have Mike Huckabee, who says nothing in particular about anything. You have Barack Obama, who says everything there is to … Continue reading
For the Kids
Q: Dr. Hurd, do you think it’s right or wrong for parents with growing children to divorce? Should they stay together for the sake of the children? A: The premise of the question is that the primary obligation of parents … Continue reading
Welcome, 2008
Nearly everybody complains that politicians are dishonest–yet the most dishonest ones stand the best chance of winning. (For details, check out the front runners in this year’s race). Nearly everyone agrees that education is a paramount value, and that public … Continue reading
Love of Power
Is power the reason you love the accomplishment? Or is accomplishment the reason you acknowledge the power?
U.S.: Watch Out for # 1
I keep reading about concern for the people of Pakistan. What about the U.S.? It seems to me that the best hope for the people of Pakistan–a country riddled with backward ways of thinking and the resulting backward ways of … Continue reading
Passive Anger
Q: Dr. Hurd, what’s the difference between a passive-aggressive person who is late because he’s really angry with you, as opposed to someone who’s late simply because of being flighty? A: Your question answers itself. The passive-aggressive person is angry … Continue reading
The “Golden” Middle
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
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