# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=165 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 166 --- ## [Is decentralized power inherently less corrupt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-decentralized-power-inherently-less-corrupt/747545)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2016, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-decentralized-power-inherently-less-corrupt/747545 "2016-03-08T08:06:52Z")
It is an axiom among those of a certain political bent that the more local the government the more likely it is to faithfully enact the will of the governed. I don’t believe this is necessarily true. A podunk Aldermani… --- ## [Why is Finland the "sick man" of Europe when it has such a well-educated workforce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-finland-the-sick-man-of-europe-when-it-has-such-a-well-educated-workforce/748016)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-finland-the-sick-man-of-europe-when-it-has-such-a-well-educated-workforce/748016 "2016-03-08T04:46:12Z")
I read an article on BBC.com this week describing Finland as the new “sick man” of Europe. link It blamed the problem on a decline in the timber industry as the demand for paper shrinks, the demise of Nokia, sanctions … --- ## [What is the point of CCW permits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-ccw-permits/745824)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-ccw-permits/745824 "2016-03-08T03:21:22Z")
I don’t quite understand what the point of a CCW permit system is. If a criminal conceals a weapon and then uses it in a crime his CCW will in no way legally protect him from his actions. So it seems like it serves not … --- ## ["Gore would have beat Bush if the popular vote had been used" - A fallacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gore-would-have-beat-bush-if-the-popular-vote-had-been-used-a-fallacy/747612)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gore-would-have-beat-bush-if-the-popular-vote-had-been-used-a-fallacy/747612 "2016-03-07T23:56:06Z")
While it is undeniably true that Gore won the overall popular vote in 2000, he still lost the election because of the electoral college system. I have seen people use this as justification for the elimination of the syst… --- ## [The definition of a "war crime"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definition-of-a-war-crime/747322)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definition-of-a-war-crime/747322 "2016-03-07T22:30:01Z")
A “war crime” doesn’t seem to be defined by the killing of civilians so much as it is defined by what the civilians were being killed for: Almost everyone would consider the My Lai Massacre a war crime, yet it killed fa… --- ## [What has the Tea Party done for the "Little guy"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-the-tea-party-done-for-the-little-guy/747948)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-the-tea-party-done-for-the-little-guy/747948 "2016-03-07T16:49:42Z")
They claim all sorts of stuff, but what have they actually done to help the taxpayers? I can’t see anything they have done so far, but be obstructionist. Now, sure if they obstruct bad things, that’s something, sure. … --- ## [Media too pro-muslim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-too-pro-muslim/747303)
**Author:** [@Civilrighte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civilrighte)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-too-pro-muslim/747303 "2016-03-07T14:08:45Z")
I’m gay and athiest, but I come from a Hindu background. Islam is generally conservative and far-right. It’s strict, anti-feminism, homophobic, cruel, etc… And takes us back to the middle ages. Why on earth should it b… --- ## [Commander of the Militia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commander-of-the-militia/747768)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commander-of-the-militia/747768 "2016-03-06T23:17:45Z")
The US President is the Commander in Chief of the militia (when the militia is called into the actual service of the United States). And the militia, at the time of the writing of the Constitution, was every able-bodied … --- ## [Asian countries fearing a 'return of Japanese militarism'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-countries-fearing-a-return-of-japanese-militarism/746449)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-countries-fearing-a-return-of-japanese-militarism/746449 "2016-03-06T19:34:40Z")
From time to time, one hears of Asian neighbors of Japan “fearing a return of Japanese militarism or aggression.” This is usually in context of Japan discussing revising its peace constitution or of Japan sending troops … --- ## [Lopsided gender ratio usually favors the outnumbered gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lopsided-gender-ratio-usually-favors-the-outnumbered-gender/747798)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lopsided-gender-ratio-usually-favors-the-outnumbered-gender/747798 "2016-03-06T19:16:58Z")
Some feminists have commented to the effect that men should comprise only a tiny percentage of the world’s population. (Sally Miller Gearhart - Wikipedia) (This is an extreme view, not mainstream feminism.) But doing s… --- ## [United Way Fraud Scam and Scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-way-fraud-scam-and-scandal/747643)
**Author:** [@SooSJSJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SooSJSJ)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-way-fraud-scam-and-scandal/747643 "2016-03-05T05:13:23Z")
In an era when many Americans are feeling disenchanted by mega-corporations and conglomerates in general, it is time to see the United Way for what it is; the biggest corporate charity in America. It is time to take a go… --- ## [Do some progressives love the welfare budget?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-progressives-love-the-welfare-budget/747769)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-progressives-love-the-welfare-budget/747769 "2016-03-05T00:03:00Z")
It seems that progressives love to increase the welfare budget at all costs, until in 1996 when welfare had to be reformed. Do some progressives like the welfare budget to be increased as possible? Do some of them not u… --- ## [Transgender Service Animals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-service-animals/746797)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 299\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-service-animals/746797 "2016-03-04T23:41:48Z")
No, not really - I want to compare the debate over transgender use of bathrooms and locker rooms to service animals. I saw a news story about people taking pets around and pretending they are service animals so they can… --- ## [South Dakota Governor Vetos School / Locker Room Gender Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-dakota-governor-vetos-school-locker-room-gender-bill/747727)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-dakota-governor-vetos-school-locker-room-gender-bill/747727 "2016-03-04T22:01:32Z")
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed a transgender-targeted school/locker room bill. Good for him. What caused me to start this thread, though, was his comment on the reason for the veto, which struck me as an e… --- ## [What have been the real, factual effects of Obamacare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-been-the-real-factual-effects-of-obamacare/747855)
**Author:** [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-been-the-real-factual-effects-of-obamacare/747855 "2016-03-04T18:30:38Z")
I’ve just seen that Donald Trump is promising to reform health care. His website says that Obamacare “has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher … --- ## [Is Islams global image beyond repair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islams-global-image-beyond-repair/746824)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islams-global-image-beyond-repair/746824 "2016-03-04T17:14:14Z")
I know all religions have/are/can be barbaric, but something came to my attention, and it made me think about Islams image at large, I’ll explain. I was watching about the Chinese crackdown on the Uighurs on YouTube, an… --- ## [How to interpret "...no one comes to the Father, but through me" (John 14:6)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-interpret-no-one-comes-to-the-father-but-through-me-john-14-6/242978)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-interpret-no-one-comes-to-the-father-but-through-me-john-14-6/242978 "2016-03-03T23:58:24Z")
This pit thread, around pages 5 and 6, evolved into a discussion of the interpretation of the following biblical verse: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me” (John 14:6) … --- ## [IS Wall Street the main cause of U.S. income/wealth inequality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wall-street-the-main-cause-of-u-s-income-wealth-inequality/745926)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wall-street-the-main-cause-of-u-s-income-wealth-inequality/745926 "2016-03-03T22:49:52Z")
\[I think this op is better here than in Elections but if a mod feels otherwise please feel free …\] Sanders’ singular message is income inequality … caused by Wall Street having the economy rigged. It’s a nice sound bit… --- ## [Textualist meaning of "shall" re SC.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/textualist-meaning-of-shall-re-sc/746697)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/textualist-meaning-of-shall-re-sc/746697 "2016-03-03T22:37:53Z")
Spun off from other threads on the subject - Taking the Scaliaesque spin on it, what did the framers mean when they said “shall”? Did they intend it to be an open-ended “shall”, shall at some future point that they det… --- ## [Was General Bernard Montgomery worth a shit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-general-bernard-montgomery-worth-a-shit/691353)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-general-bernard-montgomery-worth-a-shit/691353 "2016-03-03T20:43:18Z")
He seems to have screwed up El Alemain, Caen and Market Garden. But, of course, I’m American. So, how does he measure up? --- ## [Senate Confirmation - what criteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-confirmation-what-criteria/746279)
**Author:** [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-confirmation-what-criteria/746279 "2016-03-03T17:21:58Z")
In an academic, non-partisan manner (I can dream), what should be the criteria for the Senate confirming or rejecting a SCOTUS nomination? I’d prefer this not be a “but they did it…” listing. I don’t like the litmus te… --- ## [Cuban Missile Crisis - what if the United States didn't confront the USSR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cuban-missile-crisis-what-if-the-united-states-didnt-confront-the-ussr/747715)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cuban-missile-crisis-what-if-the-united-states-didnt-confront-the-ussr/747715 "2016-03-03T02:00:07Z")
Even with missiles in Cuba, the chances of the Soviets nuking the United States were low, and there would have been retaliation from the United States in any such attack anyway. Furthermore, the United States did have Ju… --- ## [Economist says awesome things about Sanders's economic plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-says-awesome-things-about-sanderss-economic-plan/745655)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-says-awesome-things-about-sanderss-economic-plan/745655 "2016-03-02T22:22:09Z")
An economist named Friedman published a study going on about all the great things Bernie Sanders’s plan will do for the economy. Link on CNN Money The upshot is that increased funding for infrastructure, education and … --- ## [Should the NFL enact Affirmative Action (hire more white players)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-nfl-enact-affirmative-action-hire-more-white-players/743913)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 298\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-nfl-enact-affirmative-action-hire-more-white-players/743913 "2016-03-02T21:10:03Z")
Should the NFL enact Affirmative Action (hire more white players)? I say they should. I support AA in instances when white people dominate the situation… so if blacks dominate the NFL, we need AA for white people, right? … --- ## [Is superior intelligence the equivalent of overall superiority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-superior-intelligence-the-equivalent-of-overall-superiority/747637)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-superior-intelligence-the-equivalent-of-overall-superiority/747637 "2016-03-02T16:31:43Z")
A guy I know has the attitude and behavior of someone who thinks he is smarter and more knowledgable than everyone else. His behavior is offputting to me, but somehow it does not seem to derail his career one bit. One da… --- ## [Should humans with low IQ be.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-humans-with-low-iq-be/747204)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-humans-with-low-iq-be/747204 "2016-03-02T14:42:07Z")
Slowly erased from the Earth? If a biological mechanism for eradicating humans with low intelligence becomes available in the future and it is painless and (works bypreventing such humans from having children) then is t… --- ## [Is the newly unapologetic racist, nativist GOP power base basically the KKK for the new millennium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-newly-unapologetic-racist-nativist-gop-power-base-basically-the-kkk-for-the-new-millennium/744638)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-newly-unapologetic-racist-nativist-gop-power-base-basically-the-kkk-for-the-new-millennium/744638 "2016-03-01T18:37:45Z")
Regarding the KKK from a non-expert historical perspective I’ve always considered them just a pack of lower class, Bible Belt white panic racists who tried to be as oppressive and terrifying as possible to black people … --- ## [What is the GOP's long game on filling Scalia's seat if Hillary is elected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-gops-long-game-on-filling-scalias-seat-if-hillary-is-elected/746827)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-gops-long-game-on-filling-scalias-seat-if-hillary-is-elected/746827 "2016-03-01T15:49:24Z")
What is the GOP’s long game on filling Scalia’s seat if Hillary is elected? Will they reverse themselves on letting the next president nominate a replacement, and refuse to consider any of her nominees as well? Is it u… --- ## [Scientifically, should sensitive research issues have to pass a more rigorous standard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientifically-should-sensitive-research-issues-have-to-pass-a-more-rigorous-standard/747541)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientifically-should-sensitive-research-issues-have-to-pass-a-more-rigorous-standard/747541 "2016-03-01T15:00:42Z")
This is an off-shoot of the other thread in GD. It’s often the case that people will demand a more rigorous standard of proof when the scientific issue being debated is one of a highly emotional, sensitive or potentiall… --- ## [The French Study of Philosophy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-french-study-of-philosophy/746866)
**Author:** [@dasilva94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasilva94)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-french-study-of-philosophy/746866 "2016-02-29T13:52:14Z")
I was reading an article on the BBC website (Why does France insist school pupils master philosophy? - BBC News), where the author, the BBC’s French correspondent, describes how his daughter is doing the literature as op… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=164) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=166)