# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=333 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 334 --- ## [Conservatives: What should we do about people who can't pay for medical care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-what-should-we-do-about-people-who-cant-pay-for-medical-care/617350)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-what-should-we-do-about-people-who-cant-pay-for-medical-care/617350 "2012-04-11T20:01:47Z")
Part of the reason medical insurance is so expensive is because when someone who can pay goes to the hospital, the bill includes the actual cost of the care provided, the profit margin, and a markup to make up lost reven… --- ## [What would a society be like without a prison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-society-be-like-without-a-prison/617195)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-society-be-like-without-a-prison/617195 "2012-04-11T03:47:36Z")
Ok, so this recent Trayvon Martin case got me to thinking. What if there was no prison for criminals to be sent too? What if we just tried them and even if convicted just let them go free? In light of this case, I wou… --- ## [I'm not baptized. My MIL prays for my soul. Not sure I'm comfy with that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-baptized-my-mil-prays-for-my-soul-not-sure-im-comfy-with-that/616860)
**Author:** [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-baptized-my-mil-prays-for-my-soul-not-sure-im-comfy-with-that/616860 "2012-04-10T22:49:24Z")
I was raised w/o religion and was not baptized. My mother had some religion but did not feel like people were born w/ original sin so therefore did not need to be baptized. My MIL has said that she prays for my soul. I’m… --- ## [The Penny Debate - Canuck Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penny-debate-canuck-edition/617208)
**Author:** [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penny-debate-canuck-edition/617208 "2012-04-10T19:16:24Z")
The current news (or rather, currency news :wink: ) is that Canada is to phase out the penny: Here’s the debate: is this a good move? I’m inclined to think it is, as the penny coin is effectively useless due to infla… --- ## ["Courts are in no position to second-guess the judgments of correctional officials" - WTF?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-are-in-no-position-to-second-guess-the-judgments-of-correctional-officials-wtf/617723)
**Author:** [@curioushat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curioushat)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-are-in-no-position-to-second-guess-the-judgments-of-correctional-officials-wtf/617723 "2012-04-10T18:50:18Z")
I saw another thread on this but wanted to add this to the conversation as I feel that it separate from the debate on whether strip searches should be allowed or not. If the courts are not willing or not able to check… --- ## [Controversy over Howard Morgan case (police shooting)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversy-over-howard-morgan-case-police-shooting/617913)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversy-over-howard-morgan-case-police-shooting/617913 "2012-04-10T17:26:34Z")
There is a lot of information out there, but given the controversial nature of things it’s hard to judge the veracity and impartialness of various claims. The Dope is excellent at presenting and vetting multiple sides an… --- ## [1 in 46 newborn males develop autism spectrum in NJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-46-newborn-males-develop-autism-spectrum-in-nj/617223)
**Author:** [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-46-newborn-males-develop-autism-spectrum-in-nj/617223 "2012-04-10T02:12:03Z")
Yeah. Stats from CDC today. I’m not in breeding mode but if I was I’d be very very concerned. --- ## [Possible basis for war crimes prosecutions released by Obama administration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-basis-for-war-crimes-prosecutions-released-by-obama-administration/618043)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-basis-for-war-crimes-prosecutions-released-by-obama-administration/618043 "2012-04-09T14:06:11Z")
Story here. \[QUOTE=Harper’s Magazine\] Yesterday the Obama Administration, after a delay of several years, released an important document relating to the Bush Administration’s torture policies: a memorandum by Philip Ze… --- ## [The Struggle For Financial Comfort Needs To Stop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-struggle-for-financial-comfort-needs-to-stop/617243)
**Author:** [@Yakuza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yakuza)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-struggle-for-financial-comfort-needs-to-stop/617243 "2012-04-09T03:51:56Z")
As our society continues 2 move forward, there seems 2 be no plan of making it where everyone can be financially comfortable. No, I’m not saying everyone should be rich, but I’m saying every good person who works should … --- ## [Birther U.S. Army officer to be court-martialed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birther-u-s-army-officer-to-be-court-martialed/536157)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birther-u-s-army-officer-to-be-court-martialed/536157 "2012-04-09T02:16:06Z")
Is there no end to this idiocy? The guy’s risking his career over this: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/14/army-to-court-martial-officer-who-doubts-obama-was-born-in-u-s/. Would he feel better if Joe Biden signed … --- ## [Death penalty opponents: Afghan massacre soldier an exception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-opponents-afghan-massacre-soldier-an-exception/617982)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-opponents-afghan-massacre-soldier-an-exception/617982 "2012-04-09T01:48:18Z")
You hear a lot of news stories about various sociopaths who commit serial or mass murder. In general, despite the emotional responses they evoke, I think that there’s no compelling rationale for executing them: in a mo… --- ## ["Come back to Africa..." Wade tells Haitians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-back-to-africa-wade-tells-haitians/525312)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-back-to-africa-wade-tells-haitians/525312 "2012-04-08T19:33:06Z")
The President of Senegal (Abdoulaye Wade) is offering free land to Haitians refugees. \[ \](BBC News - Senegal offers land to Haitians)You know in reading this story I couldn’t help but think of the Jamaican Rastas who s… --- ## [Would various states' Stand Your Ground laws empower women to shoot their stalkers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-various-states-stand-your-ground-laws-empower-women-to-shoot-their-stalkers/617914)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-various-states-stand-your-ground-laws-empower-women-to-shoot-their-stalkers/617914 "2012-04-08T16:57:19Z")
As I understand it, the Stand Your Ground laws empower you to shoot an actual or potential attacker if you’ve got reason to fear that you may be killed or suffer severe bodily harm. Does rape constitute severe bodily ha… --- ## [Are Republicans opposing their own old ideas just to frustrate President Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-opposing-their-own-old-ideas-just-to-frustrate-president-obama/618038)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-opposing-their-own-old-ideas-just-to-frustrate-president-obama/618038 "2012-04-08T02:45:16Z")
Off the top of my head I can think of cap and trade, as well as the individual mandate for health insurance. I’m sure there are more, and if you can add some more in for discussion that would be great! It’s a common me… --- ## [Promoting vegetarianism or veganism is a lousy way to reduce animal cruelty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/promoting-vegetarianism-or-veganism-is-a-lousy-way-to-reduce-animal-cruelty/609245)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/promoting-vegetarianism-or-veganism-is-a-lousy-way-to-reduce-animal-cruelty/609245 "2012-04-07T20:13:38Z")
This is so simple I doubt I’ll get much debate. First, you will never, ever, ever, ever EVER succeed in persuading everyone to give up eating animal products. So your quest is hopeless to begin with. Second, even if y… --- ## [Is there any limit to the commerce clause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-commerce-clause/616849)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-commerce-clause/616849 "2012-04-07T05:59:30Z")
With the Supreme Court soon to determine the legality of Obama’s health care law, the Constitution will again be in the news. But while folks talk about the Constitution a lot, it tends to focus on only a few parts. So… --- ## [The Ethics of Torture.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-torture/617498)
**Author:** [@Stelios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stelios)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-torture/617498 "2012-04-06T19:35:05Z")
I’ve just got done finishing this article by Sam Harris (author of The End of Faith) and he makes what I consider to be a very novel and persuasive point about the ethics of torture. His argument, in a nutshell, is: “T… --- ## [What do religiously-motivated abortion opponents believe happens to the soul of an aborted fetus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-religiously-motivated-abortion-opponents-believe-happens-to-the-soul-of-an-aborted-fetus/544812)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-religiously-motivated-abortion-opponents-believe-happens-to-the-soul-of-an-aborted-fetus/544812 "2012-04-06T02:30:23Z")
I wasn’t sure what was the best forum for this question. I’m interested in getting a factual answer to the question, and I’m not interested in playing “Hah hah! Gotcha! Your position is logically inconsistent!” with anyb… --- ## [Economist Debate: Is TSA worth the cost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-debate-is-tsa-worth-the-cost/617377)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-debate-is-tsa-worth-the-cost/617377 "2012-04-06T01:19:31Z")
In the Economist news, there is a forum called Economist Debates. It has a debate (archived on Mar 23) on the effectiveness of airline security and the effectiveness of the TSA (especially as it extends worldwide). See: … --- ## [Justices signal possible trouble for health insurance mandate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justices-signal-possible-trouble-for-health-insurance-mandate/616961)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 455\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justices-signal-possible-trouble-for-health-insurance-mandate/616961 "2012-04-05T19:20:26Z")
Uh oh “Are there any limits,” asked Justice Anthony Kennedy, one of three conservative justices whose votes are seen as crucial to the fate of the unprecedented insurance mandate. … Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.… --- ## [Can this judge order the Dept. of Justice to write a letter to him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-judge-order-the-dept-of-justice-to-write-a-letter-to-him/617777)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-judge-order-the-dept-of-justice-to-write-a-letter-to-him/617777 "2012-04-05T17:12:16Z")
Not sure if this will stay in GQ because the question will prolly beg for debate, but at the moment I’m more curious about a possible factual answer to my question. If things get lively, I know the mods will of course m… --- ## [Prez: Supreme Court oveturning a law passed by Congress would be "uprecedented, extraordinary step."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prez-supreme-court-oveturning-a-law-passed-by-congress-would-be-uprecedented-extraordinary-step/617771)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prez-supreme-court-oveturning-a-law-passed-by-congress-would-be-uprecedented-extraordinary-step/617771 "2012-04-05T15:20:08Z")
“I am confident the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically-elected congress.” –President Barack Obama,… --- ## [Debating mainstreaming and inclusion vs special schools/classes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-mainstreaming-and-inclusion-vs-special-schools-classes/617794)
**Author:** [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2012, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-mainstreaming-and-inclusion-vs-special-schools-classes/617794 "2012-04-05T08:56:36Z")
http://differentizgood.org/2012/03/a-different-view-mainstreaming-and-inclusion/ What does everyone think of this? Personally, I do think that the author has a VERY good point about how low incidence kids are falling th… --- ## [EPA Moves to Effectively Ban all New Coal Power Plants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epa-moves-to-effectively-ban-all-new-coal-power-plants/616985)
**Author:** [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epa-moves-to-effectively-ban-all-new-coal-power-plants/616985 "2012-04-05T02:50:04Z")
Signed and submitted for the Federal Register today: http://epa.gov/carbonpollutionstandard/pdfs/20120327proposal.pdf I’m sure folks can find high-level summaries elsewhere, but in effect the Obama Administration has b… --- ## [Get arrested? - Bend over.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-arrested-bend-over/617602)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-arrested-bend-over/617602 "2012-04-04T22:35:27Z")
Supreme Court OKs strip searches for even minor offenses By a 5-4 vote, the conservative bloc with Justice Kennedy okayed strip searches for even minor offenses. An individual was arrested (passenger in a car) because … --- ## [Is gold in a monetary induced bubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gold-in-a-monetary-induced-bubble/616563)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gold-in-a-monetary-induced-bubble/616563 "2012-04-04T16:45:49Z")
This is two-part debate. Is gold in a bubble and is that bubble due to monetary policy? I say it is classic market-driven mania like that described by Charles Mackey in Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness o… --- ## [Is the Federal government mandating that I have another child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-federal-government-mandating-that-i-have-another-child/617157)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-federal-government-mandating-that-i-have-another-child/617157 "2012-04-04T14:15:59Z")
In 2012, my youngest child will turn 17 years old. This means that he will no longer be a qualifying child for the Child Tax Credit. This will result in a $1000 increase to my and my wife’s (married joint) AGI on our i… --- ## [Is America setting a dangerous precedent with the no-overfly list?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-setting-a-dangerous-precedent-with-the-no-overfly-list/617582)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-setting-a-dangerous-precedent-with-the-no-overfly-list/617582 "2012-04-04T01:46:03Z")
Link. I think this could be setting a dangerous precedent. How would America like it if passengers to France had to obtain permission from both the U.K. and Ireland? Maybe Iceland too. Or passengers to China and Korea … --- ## [Cults: definition and prevelance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cults-definition-and-prevelance/617386)
**Author:** [@living\_in\_hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/living_in_hell)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cults-definition-and-prevelance/617386 "2012-04-04T01:07:26Z")
I have always been fascinated by cults, and am actually surprised that in “troubling times” more people don’t join cults, given the sense of “security” and “family” that cults can provide. I believe that cults are more c… --- ## [Drug Legalization Debate Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-legalization-debate-thread/614490)
**Author:** [@curioushat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curioushat)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-legalization-debate-thread/614490 "2012-04-03T22:22:02Z")
Should drugs, in general, be legalized? What is the appropriate reform (if any) for the US current drug policy. It is glaringly obvious that we are spending huge amounts of money and throwing it in the garbage, as 1$ tri… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=332) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=334)