Government does not have the power to make you happy. But it does have the power to make you unhappy. How? Mainly, by interfering with the generally harmonious and, for the most part, rational progress of human civilization that would … Continue reading
Government officials plan to stop young people from smoking, since many young people persist in thinking it’s “cool” to smoke. Forcing movie makers to rate movies “R” if any smoking appears, as well as posting anti-smoking warnings prior to a … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, what do you think of voting for the Libertarian Party this year? A: I generally avoid the Libertarian Party. First of all, they have no chance of winning. They split the non Obama/Pelosi vote, and ensure the … Continue reading
Barack says that anyone who wants to build a mosque at the site of 9/11 and Ground Zero has a right to do that. We are to infer by this that he means: a Constitutional, individual property right. If this … Continue reading
Maxine Waters, a powerful Congresswoman, is under fire for her husband’s financial gain from TARP money that went to save his bank. What’s surprising to me is why this is a surprise. When government subsidizes private industry, there’s always a … Continue reading
When a Republican expands the role of government over the economy, it’s considered ill-advised and stupid (properly so). When a liberal Democrat President does the same thing in principle, only more expansive (and expensive) in scope, it’s called noble and … Continue reading
According to many economists, 125,000 new jobs are needed (in the United States) every month just to keep up with the population growth. At present, we’re only getting 71,000 new jobs a month. And there’s no guarantee we’ll continue even … Continue reading
As millions ponder their regret over voting into office “President Obama,” it’s important to think of why he got there. Think back to the fall of 2008, when he was elected. A majority of Independents, who just as often vote … Continue reading
Nearly everyone says, about anything they deem unpleasant, “There ought to be a law!” For example: “There ought to be a law requiring people not to use their cell phones while driving.” Will the law be enforced? Does it punish … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, I SO agree with you about the ultimate inversion (See The Daily Dose of Reason 7/17/10). My friends, family and lots of seniors totally agree with doing “something about it” other than attending tea parties, but what?? … Continue reading
“Cutting spending” — whether in a household or a government — implies value judgments and priorities. Value judgments and priorities imply ideas about what is and is not appropriate for spending. Those who say “we have to cut spending” without … Continue reading
Investor’s Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal and other publications are reporting that businesses are still making profits — perhaps in the trillions, collectively. The problem is, they’re afraid to spend. This includes spending on hiring. Their hope is that … Continue reading