# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=111 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 112 --- ## [Is Trump et al inadvertently helping US labor/workers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-et-al-inadvertently-helping-us-labor-workers/796244)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-et-al-inadvertently-helping-us-labor-workers/796244 "2017-09-17T21:47:08Z")
Yeah, I know…no way this is happening, right? And maybe it’s not. That’s what I came here to see. I was reading this article on CNN: So, by pushing through his ridiculous anti-immigration anti-illegals policy, it se… --- ## [Jefferson at U VA and Jackson at VMI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-at-u-va-and-jackson-at-vmi/796266)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2017, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-at-u-va-and-jackson-at-vmi/796266 "2017-09-17T04:05:14Z")
Are we all still so sure that the destruction of monuments cannot result in the destruction of statues to the founding fathers? While I agree that we should remove statues of Lee et.al that were constructed to show resi… --- ## [Accused of sex abuse - should that be public](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accused-of-sex-abuse-should-that-be-public/796372)
**Author:** [@Pippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pippers)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2017, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accused-of-sex-abuse-should-that-be-public/796372 "2017-09-17T03:16:39Z")
As much as I detest sexual predators (the resident in chief is a prime example of my hate) should their names be made public before the trial? http://r.search.yahoo.com/\_ylt=AwrTccHWKLtZXhAASSQ3nIlQ;\_ylu=X3oDMTByaDNhc2J… --- ## [Is multiculturalism at odds with the welfare state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-multiculturalism-at-odds-with-the-welfare-state/796120)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-multiculturalism-at-odds-with-the-welfare-state/796120 "2017-09-16T14:32:43Z")
Peter Beinart was on NPR recently and he mentioned how the welfare state (which I assume means social safety net, wealth redistribution, low GINI coefficient) is not compatible with multiculturalism. In a multicultural s… --- ## [Why did Communism mean dictatorship and mass murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-communism-mean-dictatorship-and-mass-murder/793745)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-communism-mean-dictatorship-and-mass-murder/793745 "2017-09-16T11:16:35Z")
The basic principles of Communism, I understand them, are straightforward. Instead of private individuals owning the “means of production” (all the factories and land in a nation), the citizens collectively own everythi… --- ## [What do conservatives celebrate on Labor Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-conservatives-celebrate-on-labor-day/765107)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-conservatives-celebrate-on-labor-day/765107 "2016-09-14T16:05:35Z")
The modern conservative movement is doing its best to weaken unions, and the percentage of jobs represented by unions are at the lowest in 76 years. So what are conservatives celebrating today? Their victory over la… --- ## [Is there a link between mental illness and violence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-link-between-mental-illness-and-violence/795275)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-link-between-mental-illness-and-violence/795275 "2017-09-16T00:31:27Z")
I’ve heard conflicting reports. Obviously, the politically correct idea is that violence is caused by people’s free choices and rarely if ever by mental illness. However, mental illness is known to be connected to at lea… --- ## [Should More Murder Suspects Die During Arrests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-more-murder-suspects-die-during-arrests/793310)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-more-murder-suspects-die-during-arrests/793310 "2017-09-15T03:01:06Z")
Today is the 40th anniversary of the arrest of David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam” murderer (link). Mr. Berkowitz was arrested after a year plus long rampage where he shot people, usually in parked cars late at night, at r… --- ## [With the benefit of hindsight - why did GWB invade Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-the-benefit-of-hindsight-why-did-gwb-invade-iraq/794625)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-the-benefit-of-hindsight-why-did-gwb-invade-iraq/794625 "2017-09-07T23:33:46Z")
The official line was that Saddam helped fund Al Qaida, and that he had a stockpile of WMDs he was refusing to hand over. Since then, both premises have been proven false, and the general consensus is that GWB, the intel… --- ## [How many on the left are really anti-GMO? Anti-vax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-on-the-left-are-really-anti-gmo-anti-vax/795440)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-on-the-left-are-really-anti-gmo-anti-vax/795440 "2017-09-13T21:28:32Z")
I’m curious…just how large is the group on the left in the US or Europe who are really, genuinely opposed to GMOs and vaccines? I was in California this past weekend meeting a bunch of friends from all over the world fo… --- ## [If life is optional then why live?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261 "2017-09-13T18:50:32Z")
I say this because it occurred to me that (for the most part), everything in life is optional, in that we don’t have to do any of it. If that is the case then why live? Why not choose death and not have to involve yourse… --- ## [A question about the physical dimension of time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-physical-dimension-of-time/787958)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-physical-dimension-of-time/787958 "2017-09-12T22:39:49Z")
If you were an entity who resided outside the realm of time (i.e. were not constrained by time) could you engage in two separate conversations simultaneously with two different entities who resided wholly inside the dime… --- ## [Uncontacted Amazon tribes and the morality of the Prime Directive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncontacted-amazon-tribes-and-the-morality-of-the-prime-directive/796044)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncontacted-amazon-tribes-and-the-morality-of-the-prime-directive/796044 "2017-09-12T20:58:59Z")
Here is a story about some “uncontacted” indigenous group in the rain forest in Brazil. Sadly it sounds like some of them were massacred in this instance, but the topic I really wanted to discuss was the morality of leav… --- ## [Silly Question on DACA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-on-daca/795549)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-on-daca/795549 "2017-09-12T19:49:48Z")
So I’ve been reading about DACA and everyone seems to be urging the president not to end it. If that is the case, and it is so important and enjoys so much bi-partisan support, why not just pass it as a law before he en… --- ## [Is Addiction "mutable"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-addiction-mutable/796148)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-addiction-mutable/796148 "2017-09-12T16:09:38Z")
What I mean is: Let’s say a person is addicted to the Internet, or to Cocaine, or whatever. If the source of their current addiction were suddenly removed - let’s say the Internet went down forever, or all Cocaine disa… --- ## [What specifically did the Russians do to "meddle" in the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specifically-did-the-russians-do-to-meddle-in-the-election/795680)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specifically-did-the-russians-do-to-meddle-in-the-election/795680 "2017-09-12T11:17:29Z")
I am hoping to see something that is convincing evidence that the Russians interfered with the election. It is now clear that “everybody knows” that it happened. However, aside from hearing experts say that they know w… --- ## [An independent Kurdistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-kurdistan/796042)
**Author:** [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-kurdistan/796042 "2017-09-12T05:24:49Z")
What are the chances of an independent homeland for the Kurds emerging? The news is that the Kurdish government in northern Iraq is to hold a referendum about independence (I wonder where they got that idea from.) Sadly… --- ## [Miss America introduces politics. Good idea, bad idea, or who cares what this outdated show does?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-introduces-politics-good-idea-bad-idea-or-who-cares-what-this-outdated-show-does/796064)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-introduces-politics-good-idea-bad-idea-or-who-cares-what-this-outdated-show-does/796064 "2017-09-12T04:54:01Z")
Myself I tend to think the whole concept a dinosaur but assuming for the moment it does continue is it a good idea to introduce political questions? I can imagine these young beauties thinking what the hell should I sa… --- ## [Can you 'streamline' the US government - without....?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-streamline-the-us-government-without/796052)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-streamline-the-us-government-without/796052 "2017-09-12T01:36:07Z")
Is it possible to streamline the US government - IE to get rid of redundant offices, to cut out layers of bureaucracy, to cut personnel, without: -Harming the poor/middle classes; -Decreasing the efficiency of governme… --- ## [Why the South seceded from the Union](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-south-seceded-from-the-union/794974)
**Author:** [@Hectorik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hectorik)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-south-seceded-from-the-union/794974 "2017-09-11T17:02:36Z")
And… Why we need to do it AGAIN! The real reason why the South seceded from the Union You wonder why you don’t get any results from ‘writing to your congressman?’ Representatives are capped at 435 individuals. This … --- ## [Wage subsidy plan+ EITC upgrade!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wage-subsidy-plan-eitc-upgrade/794491)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wage-subsidy-plan-eitc-upgrade/794491 "2017-09-10T21:45:18Z")
Vox always has good policy articles and they had two good ones this week. The first, on Medicaid buy-in, I started another thread for. This one is even more interesting, wage subsidies: The first plan the article goes… --- ## [Regarding the religious far-right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-religious-far-right/795513)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-religious-far-right/795513 "2017-09-10T21:28:58Z")
I am a pagan. I have been pagan by choice since early adolescence. (my family had no particular religion. We never went to church.) I arrived at my choice through earnest curiosity, sensible research, and endless reading… --- ## [Advertising: who will win the war between websites, users, advertisers, and malware'ers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-who-will-win-the-war-between-websites-users-advertisers-and-malwareers/795667)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-who-will-win-the-war-between-websites-users-advertisers-and-malwareers/795667 "2017-09-08T23:54:22Z")
I go to TV Tropes today, and after a moment, the page I am on vanishes and I get this message: Then fine. I just won’t go back to your website, ever again. If you think you are indispensible to my existence, think ag… --- ## [Forced sterilization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-sterilization/795298)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-sterilization/795298 "2017-09-08T19:19:09Z")
This is stemming from the forced busing thread. A lot of the issues involved with poor performing schools and students is lack of parental involvement and support. At some point people should be sterilized for their own … --- ## [Constitutional Maximum for the House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-maximum-for-the-house/795035)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-maximum-for-the-house/795035 "2017-09-08T18:36:45Z")
I was going to post this in another thread, but instead of starting a hijack, I think I’d rather open a new discussion. This part could make an interesting debate: should we use the Constitutional maximum number of rep… --- ## [Drawbacks of very robust social safety net + deregulation of labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drawbacks-of-very-robust-social-safety-net-deregulation-of-labor/795664)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drawbacks-of-very-robust-social-safety-net-deregulation-of-labor/795664 "2017-09-08T17:10:23Z")
I’m not sure about any of this, which is why I’m starting the thread. I just want to throw some ideas around. For a little while I’ve been intrigued by the idea of a social safety net that’s so robust that essentially … --- ## [A train-trackish ethical question from science fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-train-trackish-ethical-question-from-science-fiction/795136)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-train-trackish-ethical-question-from-science-fiction/795136 "2017-09-08T03:02:23Z")
I read an excellent science fiction book recently with an ethical dilemma similar to the famous switch-the-train-tracks ethical dilemma, and I thought it might be fun to chew over here. The dilemma is a pretty big revea… --- ## [Should "Reincarnated" people be allowed to continue their past lives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-reincarnated-people-be-allowed-to-continue-their-past-lives/795576)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-reincarnated-people-be-allowed-to-continue-their-past-lives/795576 "2017-09-07T22:34:26Z")
Should people who claim to be reincarnated and have facts that are verified, be allowed to continue their past lives? As in live as the same person that they claimed they were before they died? Lets say the person who … --- ## [The 1st amendment should offer some protection from private retaliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1st-amendment-should-offer-some-protection-from-private-retaliation/795093)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1st-amendment-should-offer-some-protection-from-private-retaliation/795093 "2017-09-06T00:19:39Z")
Professor fired for blaming Harvey on Texas voting for Trump. This insanity has got to stop. People should be allowed to express political opinions when off work without risk of losing their jobs. There can be some ex… --- ## [Hypothesize a non-awful interaction between European settlers and Native Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothesize-a-non-awful-interaction-between-european-settlers-and-native-americans/795429)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothesize-a-non-awful-interaction-between-european-settlers-and-native-americans/795429 "2017-09-05T19:53:31Z")
It’s generally accepted that the treatment of Native Americans by European settlers in the Americas was awful, sometimes genocidal, involving killing and betraying and lying and breaking treaties and on and on, from day … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=110) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=112)