# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=286 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 287 --- ## [Do Conservatives Understand That Liberals Don't Really Like Government Spending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conservatives-understand-that-liberals-dont-really-like-government-spending/652428)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conservatives-understand-that-liberals-dont-really-like-government-spending/652428 "2013-03-12T16:48:38Z")
I’ve been seeing this meme a lot now. Most recently from the first response to ITR champion’s government spending thread. Lately Americans on the left have been making the point that those on the right act as if increasi… --- ## [How does income inequality affect social mobility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-income-inequality-affect-social-mobility/652536)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-income-inequality-affect-social-mobility/652536 "2013-03-12T16:13:08Z")
How exactly does income inequality reduce social mobility? I understand it becomes harder to get into the next upper quintile of income distribution, but … I didn’t know that income was incremental. It’s a progressive th… --- ## [data gathering survey regarding spanking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-gathering-survey-regarding-spanking/652656)
**Author:** [@sidhechaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidhechaos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-gathering-survey-regarding-spanking/652656 "2013-03-12T00:00:36Z")
there is a lot of back and forth about data and statistics vs anecdotal data in this thread Having worked in the industry I know how statistics can be manipulated for desired effects, and therefor that the stats that a… --- ## [Say Iran develops nukes. How do we make good on our threats of that not being allowed to stand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-iran-develops-nukes-how-do-we-make-good-on-our-threats-of-that-not-being-allowed-to-stand/652591)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-iran-develops-nukes-how-do-we-make-good-on-our-threats-of-that-not-being-allowed-to-stand/652591 "2013-03-11T21:22:31Z")
Listening to CSPAN the other day and some fairly elevated US General in charge of a lot of acronyms was going on before a congressional committee about how long term negotiations with Iran were not very fruitful and that… --- ## [The role of the working poor in our society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-the-working-poor-in-our-society/504904)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 439\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-the-working-poor-in-our-society/504904 "2013-03-11T20:50:47Z")
In the massive pit thread I’ve seen arguments to the effect that poor people deserve their fate if they can’t afford healthcare. They should have gotten a better job; they should have saved up more money, etc. Here’s my… --- ## [Let's Abolish the Institution of Marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-abolish-the-institution-of-marriage/650788)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-abolish-the-institution-of-marriage/650788 "2013-03-10T20:21:06Z")
It’s a divisive issue. What would replace it? What would the world be like then? Although this an open-ended thread, I would like to avoid the we would have orgies in the street type response. --- ## [Bill gates, the rich, and "wealth creation"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-the-rich-and-wealth-creation/652354)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-the-rich-and-wealth-creation/652354 "2013-03-10T18:39:34Z")
From another thread: What I’m curious about is the concept of how wealth is created, and specifically that it’s created by people who’re rich. Bill Gates has a lot of money. He’s very wealthy. But he didn’t create tha… --- ## [Why do the some of same people think alcohol is good think guns are bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-some-of-same-people-think-alcohol-is-good-think-guns-are-bad/652383)
**Author:** [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-some-of-same-people-think-alcohol-is-good-think-guns-are-bad/652383 "2013-03-10T17:59:46Z")
I think both should be legal, but I can at least see some consistency in the view that both should be illegal. However with all the cons associated with alcohol use (cirrosis, drunk driving, fetal alcoholism, increased … --- ## [Hubris: The Iraq War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubris-the-iraq-war/650759)
**Author:** [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Replies:** 604\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubris-the-iraq-war/650759 "2013-03-09T23:01:54Z")
A running thread for anyone watching this MSNBC special. Rachel Maddow hosting. --- ## [Daughter calls her mom a bitch---is that 100% bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daughter-calls-her-mom-a-bitch-is-that-100-bad/296741)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daughter-calls-her-mom-a-bitch-is-that-100-bad/296741 "2013-03-09T03:44:15Z")
I was recently part of a discussion in which some guy described an incident in his household. His wife and 18 y/o daughter were embroiled in an argument which culminated in Daughter saying, “You can’t tell me what to do,… --- ## [The evidence concerning the effects of minimum wages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evidence-concerning-the-effects-of-minimum-wages/652245)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evidence-concerning-the-effects-of-minimum-wages/652245 "2013-03-09T02:47:31Z")
There’s another thread where this has been mentioned a few times, but I want to make a dedicated thread about it. I’d like to know what the empirical evidence says concerning the effects of minimum wages. By emphasizin… --- ## [Let's talk about government spending](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-government-spending/652317)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-government-spending/652317 "2013-03-09T02:29:13Z")
Government spending is a topic that raises a lot of controversy in the USA. Some feel that the government spends too much, while others feel that it spends too little. Historically, government spending spiked during th… --- ## [The Second Amendment and control of weapons that aren't firearms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-amendment-and-control-of-weapons-that-arent-firearms/650898)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-amendment-and-control-of-weapons-that-arent-firearms/650898 "2013-03-08T16:32:52Z")
The Second Amendment is much discussed hereabouts, but I’d like to understand how it and other laws relate to weapons that aren’t firearms. For example, is wearing a shortsword or carrying a spear regulated differently … --- ## [Income inequality in America: the viral video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-inequality-in-america-the-viral-video/651965)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-inequality-in-america-the-viral-video/651965 "2013-03-08T16:30:03Z")
I understand that this video has been making the rounds in certain corners of the Internet and generating a lot of discussion — mainly those who believe that income inequality is a bad thing (an assertion that seems unco… --- ## [Do you think honesty is overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-honesty-is-overrated/612390)
**Author:** [@voidray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voidray)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-honesty-is-overrated/612390 "2012-02-11T16:59:14Z")
I don’t think the concept of honesty is subject to ratings. --- ## [Hugo Chavez is dead; what next for Venezuela?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-is-dead-what-next-for-venezuela/652125)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-is-dead-what-next-for-venezuela/652125 "2013-03-08T14:52:13Z")
No link, but it’s on CNN right now. Hugo Chavez is dead. Vice-President Nicolás Maduro will (continue) acting as President until new elections can be held. Is he a shoe-in, or could the opposition win? Will Ma… --- ## [Yahoo! Bans! Telecommuting!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-bans-telecommuting/651456)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2013, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-bans-telecommuting/651456 "2013-03-08T06:50:58Z")
Story here. I suppose most of us thought the wave of the future was working from home. However Yahoo has decided that telecommuters have to come back to the office. And it turns out that Google discourages permanent tel… --- ## [Why did the conspirators blow up 7 World Trade Center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-conspirators-blow-up-7-world-trade-center/652322)
**Author:** [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-conspirators-blow-up-7-world-trade-center/652322 "2013-03-08T05:57:44Z")
they didn’t even crash a plane into it to make a convincing cover story seems like it served no purpose except to draw suspicion to the cover-up pretty poor planning --- ## [Hate Crimes and Prosecutorial Discretion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crimes-and-prosecutorial-discretion/652193)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crimes-and-prosecutorial-discretion/652193 "2013-03-07T16:51:55Z")
Is there really any way to force a prosecutor to go forward with a case? Prosecutorial discretion basically means (for those of you who don’t know law) that the prosecutor can do whatever he wants with a case. Usually th… --- ## [Catholic doctrine on self defence and ectopic pregnancies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-doctrine-on-self-defence-and-ectopic-pregnancies/651988)
**Author:** [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-doctrine-on-self-defence-and-ectopic-pregnancies/651988 "2013-03-07T01:58:17Z")
I was wondering, given the whole turn the other cheek philosophy propounded by Jesus, what do Catholics think about the use of deadly force with regards to self defence? If it is allowed would this not allow the use of … --- ## [Why don't we establish a world government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-establish-a-world-government/651885)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-establish-a-world-government/651885 "2013-03-07T01:32:19Z")
I don’t mean a dictator or a king running the whole world; I mean a democratic type of world government. It just seems like there are laws that need to be established that the whole world must abide to. It’s about time… --- ## [Why the US opposition to the idea of secession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-us-opposition-to-the-idea-of-secession/651509)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-us-opposition-to-the-idea-of-secession/651509 "2013-03-06T19:51:16Z")
There’s currently a thread in the Election forum about various petitions from a number of states in the US asking for the right to peaceful secession from the Union. The response is overwhelmingly negative from posters … --- ## [Democracy in Practice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-in-practice/651977)
**Author:** [@henchman99942](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henchman99942)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-in-practice/651977 "2013-03-06T15:28:17Z")
Imagine if talk radio shows had no hosts. Imagine that you would call into a local radio show, give your name and town and so on, and take a number and be given a time slot. You could then upload a 5 minute audio file … --- ## [So... ANYBODY Still Think Karl Rove Is a Genius?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-anybody-still-think-karl-rove-is-a-genius/379838)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-anybody-still-think-karl-rove-is-a-genius/379838 "2013-03-06T12:19:13Z")
Nobody on the Right EVER thought Karl Rove was anything more than a semi-competent political strategist. I mean, come on- his sole claim to fame was that he took a likable guy with a famous name ad 100% name recognition… --- ## [Race is non-existent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-is-non-existent/643100)
**Author:** [@Samsaric\_Helicoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Samsaric_Helicoid)\ **Replies:** 1060\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-is-non-existent/643100 "2013-03-05T03:50:11Z")
Race is a social construct. It does not exist. There are no determinate characteristics distinguishing groups of Homo sapiens as separate, whether in discernible genetics or characteristics of brain architecture. Differe… --- ## [Is the European model viable in the long term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-european-model-viable-in-the-long-term/650395)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-european-model-viable-in-the-long-term/650395 "2013-03-04T21:14:40Z")
I’ve heard talks and quips about a lot of European countries being prone to tax very heavily. I’m sure we’ve all heard the headlines about France’s super high taxes on the rich and the taxes that most Scandinavian countr… --- ## [Is Canada a free country or is it not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-canada-a-free-country-or-is-it-not/649506)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-canada-a-free-country-or-is-it-not/649506 "2013-03-04T19:12:12Z")
Inspired by the third page of this thread – Canada being offered as an example of reasonable gun control in a free country, gun-rightsers counter by denying that Canada rates high on free speech or religious freedom. I’… --- ## [Jefferson and Sally Hemings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-and-sally-hemings/605736)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-and-sally-hemings/605736 "2013-03-04T14:44:10Z")
I recently watched on CSPAN a presentation by the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society re a book they put out last spring. Here’s a link to their website with the book prominently featured. In an effort to get the other s… --- ## [Jesus Christ episode 2: son of God or God Almighty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-episode-2-son-of-god-or-god-almighty/651909)
**Author:** [@ruben4ruben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruben4ruben)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-episode-2-son-of-god-or-god-almighty/651909 "2013-03-04T13:14:25Z")
Previously on SMDB: tomndebb Mod Rocker Moderator Quote: Originally Posted by ruben4ruben View Post As i have a very large amount of bible verses and quotes from history books, encyclopedias, academical research and… --- ## [All US Constitutional Amendments are wiped out, which come back and which are gone forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-us-constitutional-amendments-are-wiped-out-which-come-back-and-which-are-gone-forever/651863)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-us-constitutional-amendments-are-wiped-out-which-come-back-and-which-are-gone-forever/651863 "2013-03-04T04:32:26Z")
A magical force comes up through the ground and disappears all amendments to the United States constitution. Including the bill of rights. Federal and state governments scramble together to get ready to re-pass them, re… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=285) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=287)