Why is political freedom so unpopular? Throughout human history, freedom has been the exception and not the norm. The ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, free by the standards of their time, ultimately collapsed because of the unwillingness of people … Continue reading
What Children Say to Parents: Mommy, I want it, I want it! Mommy, Daddy give it to me! Rational Parent: You can’t have everything you want. What Adults Say to Daddy Obama: Give me my Medicare! Don’t you dare … Continue reading
Dr. Hurd: I am an avid reader of your Daily Dose of Reason along with your Life’s a Beach column. Since I was in college, I’ve been reading your Living Resources Newsletter and online postings along with the readings of … Continue reading
Liberty is a beautiful thing. But it’s a tool. It’s not an end in itself that can be imposed on a people unworthy of it, or who do not want it. Advocates of liberty must be careful not to confuse … Continue reading
People wonder how and why high-profile politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger use such bad judgment in their personal lives. “They have so much to lose; why do they risk it?” To me, it’s obvious why men such as Schwarzenegger, or any … Continue reading
What is it with “kids today”? Are they spoiled rotten, or is that just the sentiment of someone getting older, as we all do? It occurs to me that most kids today are in one respect victims, but not in the usual … Continue reading
Dr. Hurd: I absolutely loved what you said in your article about “confidence, but no competence.” I’d like to add, though, that the reason parents don’t teach their kids about the tools to gain that competence is simply because … … Continue reading
It’s considered an absolute that self-esteem is always a good thing. In the right context, it is. But what happens when self-esteem/self-confidence and wrong-headed thinking exist in the same person? Many people’s thinking is undercut, or even corrupted, by unsound … Continue reading
Rosie O’Donnell, comedian and celebrity, has come out against the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden — on principle. O’Donnell no doubt speaks for many liberals and some libertarians when she claims that Osama bin Laden’s execution is an injustice … Continue reading
“Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader.” So says President Obama. You could have fooled me. Obama cites evidence that bin Laden killed Muslims as proof that he was not a Muslim leader. Now wait a minute. Imagine if a … Continue reading
C.S. Lewis said: “It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.” He’s right. “Robber barons” was the term for the successful businessmen of his time. There is no theft in success, however. This wrong … Continue reading
A DrHurd.com reader writes: Dr. Hurd, did you honestly have any belief deep down the Tea Party would get anything accomplished? I didn’t. I’ll tell you exactly why: The people who voted for them. During the elections of 2010, the … Continue reading