Michael Ignatieff, formerly of the Kennedy School of Government at (surprise, surprise) Harvard, writes, “[Thomas] Jefferson airily assumed that [American] democracy would be carried on the wings of enlightenment, reason and science. No one argues that now.”

Oh, really?

Where would American democracy and freedom be without enlightenment, reason and science? The American experiment grew out of the philosophical belief that man has a unique form of survival: The use of his mind, through reasoning, thinking and self-responsible effort. In order for mankind to survive and flourish, this capacity for reason has to be respected and kept free. 

Mitt Romney claims that his tax cuts will stimulate the economy and pay off the deficit.

If history is any guide, this won’t be true.

Ronald Reagan cut taxes in the 1980s. For a time, the economy improved and the government gained more revenue. Congress spent that money and expanded the deficit.

George W. Bush cut taxes in the early 2000s. For a time, the economy improved (after 9/11) and the government gained more revenue. Congress spent that money and expanded the deficit.

It was a Democratic Congress under Reagan (in the U.S. House), and a Republican Congress under Bush. 

Q: Dr. Hurd, numerous times you have written about how negative past events in our lives should not be a focus, regarding an excuse or justification for our current lives, correct?

I was just thinking about this. So to apply that same logic, then past positive events should be viewed the same way, correct? Wouldn't it be illogical to say that past negative events shouldn't affect our present decisions, but positive ones should? If we are to dismiss the past as not relevant to our psychological well being...then shouldn't we be consistent and dismiss the positive as well?

I keep reading that angry Muslims are attacking NATO forces in Afghanistan.

"Angry Muslims?" Why is that news? Muslims are by definition angry.