# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=317 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 318 --- ## [Is it time to shorten the work week](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-shorten-the-work-week/629859)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-shorten-the-work-week/629859 "2012-08-02T16:36:36Z")
Seems like since the beginning of written history man has always worked roughly 8 hours per day. It takes a small fraction of the time to produce something now compared to what it did even 100 years ago. Instead of just… --- ## [Did the USSR provide us with any lessons that aren't in the category of "don't try this at home"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ussr-provide-us-with-any-lessons-that-arent-in-the-category-of-dont-try-this-at-home/613072)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ussr-provide-us-with-any-lessons-that-arent-in-the-category-of-dont-try-this-at-home/613072 "2012-08-02T10:30:34Z")
If one considers the history of the USSR it’s not a pretty picture. Looking at the various things that stand out from Soviet history we have: The gulag camps. These were used as effectively a massive Guantanamo bay fo… --- ## [Judge: Names of attackers confidential. You talk about it anyway. Free speech or contempt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-names-of-attackers-confidential-you-talk-about-it-anyway-free-speech-or-contempt/629121)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2012, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-names-of-attackers-confidential-you-talk-about-it-anyway-free-speech-or-contempt/629121 "2012-08-02T09:56:09Z")
Not sure where I stand on this. I can see both sides. Figured it would be interesting to get others thoughts on it. On the one hand violating a court order seems pretty straightforward as contempt of court. On the o… --- ## [Why let tax cuts for the wealthy expire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-let-tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-expire/629470)
**Author:** [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-let-tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-expire/629470 "2012-08-01T22:13:30Z")
Regardless of how you want to word it (tax cuts expire or tax increase for the wealthy) I don’t really see the point. I keep hearing, but can’t find solid links, that the tax increase for those making over $250K will fu… --- ## [What would be wrong with dropping the income tax entirely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-wrong-with-dropping-the-income-tax-entirely/629237)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-wrong-with-dropping-the-income-tax-entirely/629237 "2012-08-01T20:54:49Z")
What about going entirely to a consumption tax? Assuming certain basic cheap goods are tax free (as they currently are already) would this at least stop people from arguing unnecessarily about who is being taxed fairly? … --- ## [How scary is the Muslim Brotherhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-scary-is-the-muslim-brotherhood/623412)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-scary-is-the-muslim-brotherhood/623412 "2012-08-01T19:14:28Z")
It looks like the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsy (or Morsi or Moursy, there are variant transliteratons) was one of the top two finishers in the Egyptian presidential election May 23-24, and now will advance… --- ## [Will marriage equality be a part of the Democratic Party platform this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marriage-equality-be-a-part-of-the-democratic-party-platform-this-year/613556)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marriage-equality-be-a-part-of-the-democratic-party-platform-this-year/613556 "2012-08-01T18:44:58Z")
The group Freedom to Marry has proposed a plank for inclusion in the Democrats’ platform this year: Will the party accept this plank? --- ## [Why is requiring an ID to vote a problem, but no one is upset by having to have ID to register?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-requiring-an-id-to-vote-a-problem-but-no-one-is-upset-by-having-to-have-id-to-register/629895)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-requiring-an-id-to-vote-a-problem-but-no-one-is-upset-by-having-to-have-id-to-register/629895 "2012-08-01T01:55:19Z")
I’m hearing lots of complaints about attempts to require an ID to vote in US elections. The most common one I see is: It’s an attempt by the republicans to deny the vote to poor by making it to difficult to vote. But I … --- ## [Terrorism at a tape delayed olympics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorism-at-a-tape-delayed-olympics/629587)
**Author:** [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorism-at-a-tape-delayed-olympics/629587 "2012-08-01T00:15:59Z")
Obviously terrorism at the Olympics would be breaking news. If it were to happen at a recorded event would the networks show the terrorism event as it unfolds in real time on their telecast? Personally I think it wou… --- ## [Should the US Army be stripped down to special forces and reserves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-army-be-stripped-down-to-special-forces-and-reserves/567397)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-army-be-stripped-down-to-special-forces-and-reserves/567397 "2012-07-31T21:54:16Z")
Rather than hijack the thread on the Marine Corps further, I’ll put my thoughts here. Sounds like Rummy Rumsfeld’s rummy ideas. The fact is, even a vast reserve force is seen a vast exploitable force by those with dr… --- ## [Is Democracy the best form of government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-democracy-the-best-form-of-government/629373)
**Author:** [@stardave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stardave)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-democracy-the-best-form-of-government/629373 "2012-07-31T16:08:10Z")
After the Cold War, there are people that says we have reach the end of history, because eventually every nation on earth is going to became democratic with a free market system. Which it seems United States certainly th… --- ## [Is the media guilty of distorting Dan Cathy's remarks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-media-guilty-of-distorting-dan-cathys-remarks/629463)
**Author:** [@Curious\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curious_Mike)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-media-guilty-of-distorting-dan-cathys-remarks/629463 "2012-07-31T15:11:12Z")
Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy was interviewed, and a report of that interview was posted on the Baptist Press wesite http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38271. My take is that Mr. Cathy is expressing only support of a tradi… --- ## [Does Satan think God's predictions are wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-satan-think-gods-predictions-are-wrong/629058)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-satan-think-gods-predictions-are-wrong/629058 "2012-07-31T12:01:16Z")
According to the Bible, Satan’s fate is pretty much sealed. He’s gonna be destroyed for his wickedness. Certainly he’s privy to this information, right? So why would he rebel? Does he think God’s just full of bluster and… --- ## [Forget parties and sides, should the president just be more positive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forget-parties-and-sides-should-the-president-just-be-more-positive/629761)
**Author:** [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forget-parties-and-sides-should-the-president-just-be-more-positive/629761 "2012-07-31T03:30:05Z")
I don’t want to get into Republican versus Democrat here. I really think a lot of what is going on with our economy has to do with mind-set; there seems to be this expectation of failing. I really think our economy has… --- ## [Being a Tattooed Asshole - A Legal Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-tattooed-asshole-a-legal-debate/629594)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-tattooed-asshole-a-legal-debate/629594 "2012-07-30T20:19:58Z")
Consider the following scenario - Joe Smith is an asshole. Keep this in mind. For a while, Joe was married, but it didn’t last long. His former spouse, Mary, claims that the relationship was never consummated, becaus… --- ## [Why are city politics so corrupt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-city-politics-so-corrupt/508202)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-city-politics-so-corrupt/508202 "2012-07-30T17:18:22Z")
It is a commonplace that the politics of cities is often dominated by bribery and machine politics. The question is why is this? Several answers present themselves, including insufficient political competition (cities … --- ## [Is the ACLU anti-Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-aclu-anti-christian/244855)
**Author:** [@depocali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/depocali)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-aclu-anti-christian/244855 "2012-07-30T14:30:08Z")
For all the dopers who insist that the establishment clause is taking God out of school and that the ACLU is the tool of such liberal attacks, please tell me if you really think the ACLU is not, in effect, defending the … --- ## [But, a well-regulated Militia is NOT necessary to the security of a free State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-a-well-regulated-militia-is-not-necessary-to-the-security-of-a-free-state/629472)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-a-well-regulated-militia-is-not-necessary-to-the-security-of-a-free-state/629472 "2012-07-29T16:28:32Z")
The Second Amendment is premised on the assumption that “well regulated Militia” is “necessary to the security of a free State” – but it’s not – is it? There are countries all around the world that manage to have both f… --- ## [Incidence of whooping cough highest in 50 years; consequence of anti-vax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incidence-of-whooping-cough-highest-in-50-years-consequence-of-anti-vax/628771)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incidence-of-whooping-cough-highest-in-50-years-consequence-of-anti-vax/628771 "2012-07-29T16:23:43Z")
I think the article chickens out by not even touching on the issue of the anti-vaccination crowd. --- ## [What do you think is the most insane, collective human event in history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-insane-collective-human-event-in-history/618776)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-insane-collective-human-event-in-history/618776 "2012-07-29T02:44:07Z")
I’m talking about events on a society-level scale, involving the beliefs and actions of a mass of people. The decision making that led to the event could be logical, but the consequences (whether contemplated beforehand… --- ## [Do we have a right to violate the law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-a-right-to-violate-the-law/629655)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-a-right-to-violate-the-law/629655 "2012-07-28T21:08:22Z")
A couple of years ago, I picked up an album called Ghost of the Salt Water Machines by a band called Architect. At the end of a track called The Dog And Pony Show, there’s a spoken word piece that I find interesting (th… --- ## [What can a straight man do a gay man can't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-a-straight-man-do-a-gay-man-cant/628849)
**Author:** [@raskolnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raskolnik)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-a-straight-man-do-a-gay-man-cant/628849 "2012-07-28T19:58:44Z")
\-As one who has lived in Asia for the last, 5 almost 6 years, I really don’t understand things in my home country -I need to find a list for the ‘rights of gay men’ (women I’d think are similar but not my issue here) th… --- ## [Chevy Volt - What Were They Thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chevy-volt-what-were-they-thinking/616515)
**Author:** [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chevy-volt-what-were-they-thinking/616515 "2012-07-28T19:42:18Z")
I was interested in the chevy volt. 94 MPG wow. It’s a tempting car with gas prices rising nonstop. Then I saw the sticker price, around 42K. I did some math and was stunned to see that I would have to drive this car… --- ## [Talented and Gifted Education vs. Remedial Education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talented-and-gifted-education-vs-remedial-education/391051)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talented-and-gifted-education-vs-remedial-education/391051 "2012-07-28T17:44:13Z")
According to this article, in 2006 the Department of Education (US) spent approximately $84 billion. How much of that money would you guess went to improve the education of gifted students? Probably less than you think… --- ## [Are Mormons really that happy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-mormons-really-that-happy/629096)
**Author:** [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-mormons-really-that-happy/629096 "2012-07-28T14:46:41Z")
I got this from anther thread and I know it’s a stereotype but in my experience the Mormon’s I knew seemed weirdly happy. Is it just a stereotype? So is it a false front? Is it true? Whichever the answer, why? --- ## [What subjects would you need to study to qualify as a Superscientist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-subjects-would-you-need-to-study-to-qualify-as-a-superscientist/623989)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-subjects-would-you-need-to-study-to-qualify-as-a-superscientist/623989 "2012-07-28T04:42:07Z")
By “Superscientist”, I mean in the Rusty Venture/Hubert Farnsworth/1950s Sci-Fi Film Mad Inventor way, not the Albert Einstein/Alan Turing/Stephen Hawking vein. So, let’s pretend that Little Johnny Bloggs is about to tu… --- ## [What is this "Audit the Fed" stuff I have been hearing about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-audit-the-fed-stuff-i-have-been-hearing-about/629235)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-audit-the-fed-stuff-i-have-been-hearing-about/629235 "2012-07-28T02:15:41Z")
We have a local DJ who is a Ron Paul devotee who announced yesterday that the House was going to vote on a bill to audit the Federal Reserve. I find Dr. Paul’s ideas about economics, um, interesting and I question the w… --- ## [Decentralization is incompatible with libertarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decentralization-is-incompatible-with-libertarianism/629244)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decentralization-is-incompatible-with-libertarianism/629244 "2012-07-27T06:25:25Z")
Isn’t it obvious? If you want a libertarian society in a big country, the only way to make sure of it is to have a strong centralized national government that makes it its business to keep the state and local government… --- ## [Why I suspect it's unlikely we have free will, but the religious would not call me an atheist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-suspect-its-unlikely-we-have-free-will-but-the-religious-would-not-call-me-an-atheist/628920)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-suspect-its-unlikely-we-have-free-will-but-the-religious-would-not-call-me-an-atheist/628920 "2012-07-26T21:32:33Z")
The other debate I started looks doomed without making a few things clear. I find it very unlikely that we have free will. Just like you, I feel as though I have it. But there are excellent reasons to think otherwise, a… --- ## [My question for Libertarians - should it be legal to masturbate in public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-question-for-libertarians-should-it-be-legal-to-masturbate-in-public/628785)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-question-for-libertarians-should-it-be-legal-to-masturbate-in-public/628785 "2012-07-26T18:49:09Z")
If one says “No” they cannot be a Libertarian. They are a moralist authoritarian who wants the state to impose their moral views on its citizens. There is no harm done to me if such behavior occurs. Now an owner of pr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=316) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=318)