# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=142 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 143 --- ## [Can trade agreements be renegotiated in any way that actually works to the US's benefit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trade-agreements-be-renegotiated-in-any-way-that-actually-works-to-the-uss-benefit/772445)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trade-agreements-be-renegotiated-in-any-way-that-actually-works-to-the-uss-benefit/772445 "2016-11-22T20:32:13Z")
Is that even possible? There has been talk from both Trump and Sanders about trade agreements (I think even Obama discussed renegotiation in 2008) but is there any realistic way to do that that would benefit people in ge… --- ## [Paying for NATO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-nato/771966)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-nato/771966 "2016-11-22T16:40:04Z")
You might disagree with Trump on many things but isnt he right in saying that each NATO country should pay its way, ie 2% of gross domestic product? At present only 5 countries meet that commitment, the US, UK, Poland, E… --- ## [How close are we to a shooting war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-are-we-to-a-shooting-war/766462)
**Author:** [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-are-we-to-a-shooting-war/766462 "2016-11-22T16:38:20Z")
I’m speaking mostly to my fellow Americans, although input from the Dope’s durty furriners is welcome as well. The more American history I live through, the more Appomattox looks like a temporary ceasefire. We have lon… --- ## [Is the anti-nepotism law unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-nepotism-law-unconstitutional/772444)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-nepotism-law-unconstitutional/772444 "2016-11-22T02:54:37Z")
Rumours are floating that Trump wants to have his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, appointed to some role in the White House. Against that is the anti-nepotism law that was passed after JFK appointed his brother Bobby as Atto… --- ## [Just how effective are background checks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-effective-are-background-checks/772260)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-effective-are-background-checks/772260 "2016-11-21T21:49:01Z")
Here in Maine, we had a background check referendum turned down by the voters. The idea was to require the same check for private sales and transfers, as if you had bought from a dealer. One of the biggest reasons for … --- ## [Why should rural areas get more representation per person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-rural-areas-get-more-representation-per-person/772031)
**Author:** [@DagNation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DagNation)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-rural-areas-get-more-representation-per-person/772031 "2016-11-21T21:45:02Z")
I do not understand this point of view. This is an out of context quote from a politics thread, to illustrate my point: I have heard this sentiment often - for whatever reason, the assertion that we should have {one p… --- ## [What's the Electoral College for if it's not to keep a guy like Trump out of the presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-electoral-college-for-if-its-not-to-keep-a-guy-like-trump-out-of-the-presidency/771962)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-electoral-college-for-if-its-not-to-keep-a-guy-like-trump-out-of-the-presidency/771962 "2016-11-21T21:35:40Z")
My understanding of the Electoral College is that it’s supposed to function as an election of last resort – to protect the public from it’s own poor choice of electing an unqualified (EVIL, if you will) candidate. The E… --- ## [Article on reactionless drive in a reputable journal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-reactionless-drive-in-a-reputable-journal/772671)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-reactionless-drive-in-a-reputable-journal/772671 "2016-11-21T20:25:09Z")
The journal is Dec. edition of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)’s Journal of Propulsion and Power. Here is link to the article. Prudence would indicate refraining from buying a ticket to Mars to… --- ## [Why the opposition to "smart" guns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-opposition-to-smart-guns/648867)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-opposition-to-smart-guns/648867 "2016-11-21T15:03:13Z")
I read the other day that the development of “smart” guns (guns that can only be fired by a particular user, or by a user wearing a matching key device (usually a ring or bracelet)) has been seriously hampered because an… --- ## [Imagine a world in which Russia is not the enemy .. oh wait!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imagine-a-world-in-which-russia-is-not-the-enemy-oh-wait/771783)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imagine-a-world-in-which-russia-is-not-the-enemy-oh-wait/771783 "2016-11-21T13:58:26Z")
What happens if Trump and Putin do build a sustainable alliance around fighting Syria and ISIS? I guess the first thing is to just get over ourselves in the west about what a dreadful person Assad is and how bad his hu… --- ## [Trump New York White House possible-Complications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-new-york-white-house-possible-complications/771862)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-new-york-white-house-possible-complications/771862 "2016-11-21T11:56:30Z")
I’ve read here(and several other places) that our Prez-Elect feels more comfortable in his New York abode, Trump Tower, and is asking how often he “has” to stay in The White House. My question is: Will Congress and citi… --- ## [Is it possible to have an ultra dense city that has a low cost of living?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-have-an-ultra-dense-city-that-has-a-low-cost-of-living/772124)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-have-an-ultra-dense-city-that-has-a-low-cost-of-living/772124 "2016-11-21T03:28:39Z")
I am thinking specifically of the US, not a third world country. Take a city with the population density of New York. Now double/triple it. Or instead of that, Take Los Angeles as it is, but have every home and apartm… --- ## [How gun control affects swing state votes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-gun-control-affects-swing-state-votes/771213)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-gun-control-affects-swing-state-votes/771213 "2016-11-19T18:59:21Z")
Lets say for the sake of argument that the difference between a win and a loss in one or more of the swing states was the turnout among gun owners. Would it be worth losing this election to take a stand on gun control? … --- ## [How do we solve the opioid crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-solve-the-opioid-crisis/772416)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-solve-the-opioid-crisis/772416 "2016-11-19T15:11:56Z")
I live in Maine, where opioid addiction is becoming an epidemic, and our governor’s ideas are not helping. We now have at least one fatal OD every day in our state. Here are my solutions: Legalize marijuana Supply all … --- ## [Will the electoral college ever be removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-electoral-college-ever-be-removed/772132)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-electoral-college-ever-be-removed/772132 "2016-11-18T20:53:48Z")
I see why people may think it’s better to get rid of it now. People generally are more informed than they used to be. It used to be the only time you heard about any politics was when you would travel to town to get a ne… --- ## [What Now For the ACA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-the-aca/771208)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-the-aca/771208 "2016-11-18T05:46:11Z")
Apparently the Republicans have vowed to repeal the ACA, and to use reconciliation if necessary. But I don’t believe they can or will just repeal it outright and cause enormous turmoil in the healthcare market and hardsh… --- ## [Free will - implications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-implications/771971)
**Author:** [@Aelvid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aelvid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-implications/771971 "2016-11-17T19:44:11Z")
Einstein said “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”. In my opinion, Trump becoming the elected leader of “the free world” is a hilarious contradiction. But I think there’s a n… --- ## [How much will President Trump affect Global Warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-president-trump-affect-global-warming/771566)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-president-trump-affect-global-warming/771566 "2016-11-17T19:31:33Z")
He said he will neuter the “job killing” EPA and he can have the USA ignore the Paris accords (which would likely cause other countries to pull out as well, rightfully claiming unfairness and treachery). Furthermore, he… --- ## [Progressive is the new colored](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-is-the-new-colored/771537)
**Author:** [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-is-the-new-colored/771537 "2016-11-17T17:43:06Z")
The majority of progressives are women. The majority of progressives are people of color. Therefore, the majority of its leaders have to be women, and a majority of those women must be of color. Are white progressives a… --- ## [Yes California | Scenarios and/Numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-california-scenarios-and-numbers/771932)
**Author:** [@Zero-syde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zero-syde)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-california-scenarios-and-numbers/771932 "2016-11-17T16:38:52Z")
So, first and foremost I want to establish that the concept of secession, whether it’s the CSA, Texas, California or Cascadia (traditional Cascadia, or the new one that includes California since Trump’s election), is not… --- ## [Is the "Trump phenomenon" localized to the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-trump-phenomenon-localized-to-the-u-s/771182)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-trump-phenomenon-localized-to-the-u-s/771182 "2016-11-16T23:04:51Z")
By which I mean, the forces and feelings that put Trump into the White House. A lot of non-Americans seem to think so, but I’m not so sure, given recent events in Britain, the Philippines, Russia, and other such places. … --- ## [Improving Voter Turnout by Adding a Second Day of Voting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-voter-turnout-by-adding-a-second-day-of-voting/771819)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-voter-turnout-by-adding-a-second-day-of-voting/771819 "2016-11-15T23:49:22Z")
Assumptions: 1 - Ignoring costs. 2 - Ignoring logistical considerations. As I ponder the most recent election, and various other elections, I wonder how many people don’t vote because they think their vote won’t matte… --- ## [A plea to Trump supporters and conservatives in general](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-to-trump-supporters-and-conservatives-in-general/771197)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2016, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-to-trump-supporters-and-conservatives-in-general/771197 "2016-11-15T21:13:38Z")
Please be alert for a dark element among Trump supporters – an element driven by bigotry and xenophobia. I hope it’s much less significant of an element than I worry it is, and I hope Trump supporters’ (and Trump himsel… --- ## [America should police the world & its past efforts have been net-positive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-should-police-the-world-its-past-efforts-have-been-net-positive/771802)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2016, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-should-police-the-world-its-past-efforts-have-been-net-positive/771802 "2016-11-15T06:56:03Z")
I spoke with an eloquent European the other day who argued that America’s history of policing the world has been a net positive - and we are lucky to have it over the influence of countries like China. The world would be… --- ## [Trump will become less politically powerful after Inauguration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-become-less-politically-powerful-after-inauguration/771511)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-become-less-politically-powerful-after-inauguration/771511 "2016-11-15T04:41:37Z")
Whaaaa? Before June 16, 2015, he was a vulgarian publicity hound. Jan 21, 2017 he has his Finger On the Button. Less powerful? I have not recognized any of what I am going to talk about here in my twitter feed and news… --- ## [Will the filibuster survive the next two years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-filibuster-survive-the-next-two-years/772010)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-filibuster-survive-the-next-two-years/772010 "2016-11-15T02:27:21Z")
Any guesses or predictions on whether the filibuster will survive the next two years? Democrats already scrapped it for lower-court nominations, and now Republicans have a chance to appoint a SCOTUS justice, but Democra… --- ## [Obama, Trump and the powers of the Presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-trump-and-the-powers-of-the-presidency/771789)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-trump-and-the-powers-of-the-presidency/771789 "2016-11-14T21:05:04Z")
From The Washington Post Is this a just assessment? Did Obama and the Democrats prime the weapon he’s now handing to Trump? Is it fair to imply that his campaign promises of restraint were insincere? Or is it more like… --- ## [Can progressives really capture the Democratic Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-progressives-really-capture-the-democratic-party/771658)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-progressives-really-capture-the-democratic-party/771658 "2016-11-14T20:40:25Z")
Thus inborn broils the factions would engage … The Democratic Party descends into ‘civil war’ after Clinton’s loss Is that a real possibility? Wouldn’t they be unelectable with a progressive Presidential candidate? I’… --- ## [Homosexuality propaganda. Is there anything to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-propaganda-is-there-anything-to-it/769324)
**Author:** [@alexidsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexidsa)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-propaganda-is-there-anything-to-it/769324 "2016-11-14T16:38:51Z")
There’re homophobic laws in some countries (Russia, Uganda, etc.) based on the idea of “homosexuality propaganda”. The idea is not knew: Britain’s section 28, American’s “Save our children” movement, etc. It’s easy to c… --- ## [The (British) Daily Mail is rather Right Wing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-british-daily-mail-is-rather-right-wing/769891)
**Author:** [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-british-daily-mail-is-rather-right-wing/769891 "2016-11-14T13:36:15Z")
I was speaking to a friend and I asserted that the Daily Mail had taken some rather extreme (right wing) stances on one subject or another. He disagreed. Can you suggest examples (preferably with links) of supporting o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=141) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=143)