# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=376 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 377 --- ## [How long will republicans play chicken with the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-republicans-play-chicken-with-the-economy/586873)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-republicans-play-chicken-with-the-economy/586873 "2011-07-21T22:17:58Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43516656/ns/business-eye\_on\_the\_economy/t/debt-talks-break-down-clock-ticks-toward-crisis/ Let’s see… -tax breaks for oil companies are off limits -pre-W tax rates for the wealthy are off l… --- ## [Anti-abortionists, are you also against the use of contraception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474 "2011-07-21T18:36:26Z")
I’m just curious and if you are against the one and not against the other, why not? --- ## [Household Rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-rights/589808)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-rights/589808 "2011-07-21T18:21:42Z")
Should many of the rights of marriage (such as filing joint tax returns or hospital visitation rights for example) be extended to any sort of househould where people live together-ie parent and child or siblings or frien… --- ## [The disappearing Moderate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-disappearing-moderate/588334)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-disappearing-moderate/588334 "2011-07-21T14:11:10Z")
Nate Silver recently put this up on his 538 site. His point, as in the title, was why the GOP is motivated to not compromise. I OTOH see the numbers he puts out there as more significant for how those who consider themse… --- ## [It couldn't be, could it? \[Republicans planning on economic failure\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-couldnt-be-could-it-republicans-planning-on-economic-failure/586952)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-couldnt-be-could-it-republicans-planning-on-economic-failure/586952 "2011-07-21T13:07:03Z")
Are the Republicans actually banking on a collapsed U.S. economy in order to propel themselves into power in 2012? I mean, when you start voting down what would, in ANY other political climate, be traditionally popular… --- ## [Why do politicians need money in order to campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-need-money-in-order-to-campaign/589727)
**Author:** [@Nica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nica)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-need-money-in-order-to-campaign/589727 "2011-07-21T04:05:36Z")
I’m backing up to the basics again. For example, why couldn’t the government require each hopeful to simply publish a manifesto and allow Q&A rather than ask for gobs of money to travel and advertise, etc.? We could hav… --- ## [Whence comes wealth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-comes-wealth/588618)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-comes-wealth/588618 "2011-07-21T01:39:33Z")
I think the origins of wealth (property, goods, holdings etc.) lies at the heart of political philosophies. I’ve slowly come around to questioning the propriety of anyone’s wealth, including my own, such as it is, and I … --- ## [Is Obama all that different from other Presidents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-all-that-different-from-other-presidents/588993)
**Author:** [@HumanBear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanBear)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-all-that-different-from-other-presidents/588993 "2011-07-20T22:18:35Z")
I have seen a few times on this board that some people seem to think Obama is behaving significantly differently than his predecessors, or he at least thinks significantly differently. As an outsider, British, he doesn’t… --- ## [Do you think it is reasonable for taxpayers to pay $113 BILLION a year for Illegals/Anchor Babies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-it-is-reasonable-for-taxpayers-to-pay-113-billion-a-year-for-illegals-anchor-babies/589650)
**Author:** [@Cyclone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyclone)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-it-is-reasonable-for-taxpayers-to-pay-113-billion-a-year-for-illegals-anchor-babies/589650 "2011-07-20T21:54:56Z")
Note this thread has been moved to Great Debates are moderator suggestion. Do you think it is reasonable for taxpayers to pay $113 BILLION a year for Illegals/Anchor Babies? http://www.fairus.org/site/News2?pag…s\_iv\_ct… --- ## [Starving Artist's "good old days"... talked to an expert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artists-good-old-days-talked-to-an-expert/587057)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 327\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artists-good-old-days-talked-to-an-expert/587057 "2011-07-20T20:48:44Z")
So, to begin by namedropping for a second, my uncle is Robert Putnam, who is about as close as there is to an authority on topics such as general civility in America. I was at his grandon’s Bar Mitzvah this weekend, so I… --- ## [Does the U.S. still need the Marine Corps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-still-need-the-marine-corps/105251)
**Author:** [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-still-need-the-marine-corps/105251 "2011-07-20T18:57:03Z")
I saw the obituaries today and noticed that Medal of Honor winner William Barber had died. Barber was a Marine Captain who won the medal during Korea. I looked him up in “The Marine Corps Story” by J. Robert Moskin. W… --- ## [Did Murdoch walk into Obamatrap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-murdoch-walk-into-obamatrap/589553)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-murdoch-walk-into-obamatrap/589553 "2011-07-20T17:17:45Z")
Maybe Obama is just about the smartest politician in the world. Can’t argue with the fact that he’s come a long way in a short time. The Murdoch scandal has been brewing for about 3 years. Yet, during the summer (down n… --- ## [Call in a drunk drive or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-in-a-drunk-drive-or-no/589618)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-in-a-drunk-drive-or-no/589618 "2011-07-20T13:50:40Z")
The situation: You are alone in your car and you spot an obvious drunk driver. You have a cell phone (let’s make it hand held without a speaker phone option just to make it more interesting). What do you do? We all kn… --- ## [What third party in America today has the best chance of replacing a major one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-third-party-in-america-today-has-the-best-chance-of-replacing-a-major-one/588458)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2011, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-third-party-in-america-today-has-the-best-chance-of-replacing-a-major-one/588458 "2011-07-20T11:51:19Z")
I mean “best chance” on a very slim-chance scale, of course, what I’m describing hasn’t happened in America since the Republican Party was founded. What it would take to change the two-party system to a multiparty syste… --- ## [Why do we tax the rich at all ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-tax-the-rich-at-all/589372)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-tax-the-rich-at-all/589372 "2011-07-19T18:50:33Z")
I mean, these are the job creators. If we increase their taxes they won’t want to create more jobs. Seems to me then we should give them an even better tax break so they’ll want to create more jobs then they are present… --- ## [Why the monikers, righties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-monikers-righties/552197)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-monikers-righties/552197 "2011-07-19T14:23:17Z")
Many righties tend to describe people as “Obama supporters” or “you drunk the kool-aid” or “they think Obama is the messiah” or “Obama Loyalists” and so forth. Here’s the thing: I didn’t even know who this guy was unti… --- ## [Obama to nominate Cordray to Consumer Protection Post.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-nominate-cordray-to-consumer-protection-post/589366)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-nominate-cordray-to-consumer-protection-post/589366 "2011-07-19T14:14:40Z")
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/07/17/richard-cordray-to-lead-consumer-bureau-instead-of-elizabeth-warren-report/ The Consumer Protection Bureau which Elizabeth Warren has put together, will be headed by Richard Cordray… --- ## [When Is Rebellion/Revolution Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-rebellion-revolution-justified/588941)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-rebellion-revolution-justified/588941 "2011-07-19T04:01:46Z")
When is a rebellion or a revolution against a government justified. From what I can gather of Romans 13:1-7, I believe rebellion/revolution is only justified in order to protect human lives and then only because there is… --- ## [Anybody Who Really Supports Affirmative Action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-really-supports-affirmative-action/587874)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-really-supports-affirmative-action/587874 "2011-07-19T01:23:50Z")
Is there anybody here who really supports affirmative action by race? If so why do you support it? Is there any rational reason for it? --- ## [The Intellectual Property of Macaques](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-intellectual-property-of-macaques/589125)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-intellectual-property-of-macaques/589125 "2011-07-19T00:39:27Z")
From a VC blogger I find this TechDirt link. In short, a wildlife photographer left his camera unattended, and a macaque monkey wandered over to it and took some pictures, including a really amusing self-portrait. The q… --- ## [Was The "Stimulus" Worth It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-stimulus-worth-it/587831)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-stimulus-worth-it/587831 "2011-07-18T19:42:14Z")
Drudge reports that each stimuls job “created” cost $278,000. So, was increasing the National Debt by trilions worth this? My impression is that the stimulus was used to fund local and state government-it did not fund … --- ## [Challenge: How would you reform the American jury system, if at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-how-would-you-reform-the-american-jury-system-if-at-all/588069)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-how-would-you-reform-the-american-jury-system-if-at-all/588069 "2011-07-18T17:25:57Z")
In a thread about the Casy Anthony verdict, Jackknifed Juggernaught writes: Now, I have no opinion about the Casey Anthony verdict as such, because I haven’t followed the case even a tiny bit. I don’t know what sort o… --- ## [California lawmakers passes bill to teach gay history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-lawmakers-passes-bill-to-teach-gay-history/587993)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-lawmakers-passes-bill-to-teach-gay-history/587993 "2011-07-18T17:03:05Z")
Rejoice, for history in the Golden State has just gotten more fabulous! I’m happy this happened and I cannot wait until 2015 when they adopt the new textbooks. Hopefully, a crazed Republican takeover won’t happen betwe… --- ## [Is striking a form of gambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-striking-a-form-of-gambling/588988)
**Author:** [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-striking-a-form-of-gambling/588988 "2011-07-18T16:57:34Z")
An interesting topic has come up at work. I’m a member of a union and we’re on the verge of a strike. A union rep went around today asking us to sign a “strike pledge.” Most of us signed it, but one of my co-workers d… --- ## [Long-Term Effects of Rebel Victory in Southern Rebellion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-effects-of-rebel-victory-in-southern-rebellion/589206)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-effects-of-rebel-victory-in-southern-rebellion/589206 "2011-07-18T16:49:04Z")
If the Confederate States of America had succeedeed in defeating the Union and gained independence what would be the long-term effects? Would these two nations become friends or will they become enemies and join opposing… --- ## [Let's grow the economy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-grow-the-economy/589416)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-grow-the-economy/589416 "2011-07-18T07:15:46Z")
Get rid of business profit taxes. This just confuses everything. Profits get reinvested or paid out and then taxed as income. Get rid of capital gains taxes and tax gains as income. You’ll get a break when you inves… --- ## [Anyone ever try Reiki?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-try-reiki/588453)
**Author:** [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-try-reiki/588453 "2011-07-18T04:43:36Z")
Just wondering if anyone has tried Reiki? I know what to expect asking this question here, but I am curious. --- ## [Fixing Education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-education/587669)
**Author:** [@Recovering\_Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recovering_Republican)\ **Replies:** 221\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-education/587669 "2011-07-18T04:07:58Z")
Inspired by a discussion on another thread, what is wrong with American Education and how to we fix it? I personally have a lot of ideas on the subject, but I would like to hear others suggest their ideas. My own opini… --- ## [German woman on tv: "Southern Europeans are not as disciplined as us"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-woman-on-tv-southern-europeans-are-not-as-disciplined-as-us/583545)
**Author:** [@RaleighRally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaleighRally)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-woman-on-tv-southern-europeans-are-not-as-disciplined-as-us/583545 "2011-07-17T19:38:39Z")
In the news a couple of days ago, they interviewed a German woman about the crisis in Greece and how she felt about German taxpayers bailing out the failed Greek economy. One of the things she pointed out was “The southe… --- ## [I may be able to explain the Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-able-to-explain-the-republicans/588602)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-able-to-explain-the-republicans/588602 "2011-07-17T17:29:35Z")
(This OP is adapted from a post on my blog, which includes visuals.) Lately a lot of people have been wondering about the strange behavior of Congressional Republicans. I do not mean their belief that lower taxes and l… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=375) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=377)