# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=429 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 430 --- ## [Is it ‘Democracy’ if not ‘Universal’? AND Would you ever give up your vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-democracy-if-not-universal-and-would-you-ever-give-up-your-vote/556781)
**Author:** [@J.D.G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J.D.G)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-democracy-if-not-universal-and-would-you-ever-give-up-your-vote/556781 "2010-10-17T22:57:14Z")
Is it possible to have Democracy without Universal Suffrage? Does the former without the latter undermine the first? AND Would you ever be willing to give up your, or other‘s, right to vote for a better system of gove… --- ## [Christian Non-Participation In Politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-non-participation-in-politics/557388)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-non-participation-in-politics/557388 "2010-10-17T21:21:50Z")
Some rather hyper-literal Christians (not just Jehovah’s Witness heretics) have argued that Christians, as citizens of Heaven, should not vote or participate at all in politics. They also advocate Christians should not s… --- ## [What Is the Primary Function of Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-primary-function-of-government/556432)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-primary-function-of-government/556432 "2010-10-17T21:04:50Z")
What is the primary function of government? I don’t mean there can’t be any other functions but what should its main purpose and duty be? --- ## [Any major reverberations from the foreclosure forgeries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-major-reverberations-from-the-foreclosure-forgeries/556597)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-major-reverberations-from-the-foreclosure-forgeries/556597 "2010-10-17T19:25:06Z")
So several banks have announced freezes on foreclosures because of evidence of fraud in how the paperwork was handled. What effect do you think this whole thing will have on the economy, the banks, and the real estate m… --- ## [Alien invasion is inherently unlikely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-invasion-is-inherently-unlikely/556763)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-invasion-is-inherently-unlikely/556763 "2010-10-17T09:24:18Z")
Assuming there is prolific amount of extraterrestrial life out there, alien invasion is still very very unlikely. Civilizations that have a tendency to be violent/imperialistic will also be likely to be fighting const… --- ## [Why do winner-take-all voting systems (like in the USA) persist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-winner-take-all-voting-systems-like-in-the-usa-persist/556998)
**Author:** [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-winner-take-all-voting-systems-like-in-the-usa-persist/556998 "2010-10-17T03:28:15Z")
I have always struggled to understand why many countries keep their first-past-the-post voting system that routinely wastes 50+% of all votes. Theoretically, one party with a relative majority in every state/district cou… --- ## [Are certain actions worse than suicide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-certain-actions-worse-than-suicide/555748)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-certain-actions-worse-than-suicide/555748 "2010-10-17T00:58:27Z")
So I was talking to a shrink who informed me that “Any way of living your life is better than suicide.” When I recovered from his statement, I asked: You mean like selling drugs to elementary students? Yes. Prostitut… --- ## [Is biological warfare ever a legitimate military option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biological-warfare-ever-a-legitimate-military-option/556892)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biological-warfare-ever-a-legitimate-military-option/556892 "2010-10-16T19:03:23Z")
Inspired by the recent death of Dr. William Patrick III, one of the leading American bioweapons experts - and, at one point in his career, a leading bioweapon developer. Dr. Patrick made an interesting argument in an int… --- ## [How Would You Have Voted In the Past Redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-have-voted-in-the-past-redux/556603)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-have-voted-in-the-past-redux/556603 "2010-10-16T16:02:26Z")
How would you have voted for President in past elections with hindsight? 1789: George Washington (No party) Self-evident 1792: George Washington (No party) Ditto 1796: John Adams (Federalist) Needed to have a strong P… --- ## [Is there literally something wrong with the South?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-literally-something-wrong-with-the-south/556653)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-literally-something-wrong-with-the-south/556653 "2010-10-16T05:33:57Z")
This thread is inspired by the hijack in the Pit thread about judge Littlejohn. People have strong feelings about the issue, sure. But is there any factual evidence to support the claim that “The South” is somehow ‘wors… --- ## [Define physical fitness.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-physical-fitness/553229)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-physical-fitness/553229 "2010-10-16T02:53:34Z")
Assuming that someone does not have a particular event or sport in mind, then what should be defined as physical fitness: better endurance, more strength, flexibility, anaerobic capacity … and if one says “all” then in w… --- ## ["The second leg of the credit crunch"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-leg-of-the-credit-crunch/556938)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-leg-of-the-credit-crunch/556938 "2010-10-15T21:50:05Z")
Just under three years ago, doper Polerius asked: “Are a bunch of monkeys running our financial system?” I now feel that the question can safely be answered in the negative, because in the last few days, information has… --- ## [Venezuela: Chavez' party loses ground in parliamentary elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venezuela-chavez-party-loses-ground-in-parliamentary-elections/555755)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venezuela-chavez-party-loses-ground-in-parliamentary-elections/555755 "2010-10-15T20:52:52Z")
It doesn’t seem to have gotten a lot of attention for some reason, but Venezuela just had elections to the National Assembly. The last parliamentary election was in 2005. President Hugo Chavez’ party, the PSUV (United … --- ## [Goldman Sachs betting on economy to stagnate or crash in near future...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goldman-sachs-betting-on-economy-to-stagnate-or-crash-in-near-future/556438)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goldman-sachs-betting-on-economy-to-stagnate-or-crash-in-near-future/556438 "2010-10-15T20:21:11Z")
Or so their chief economist says. Any thoughts on the prediction, and/or how seriously to take it? --- ## [Is Absolute Pacifism Dangerous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-absolute-pacifism-dangerous/556721)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-absolute-pacifism-dangerous/556721 "2010-10-15T20:13:35Z")
Is absolute pacifism, that is not offering violence even for self-defence or even when many people are threatened immoral? Although its an idea that’s been advocated by many idealists (such as Tolstoy) if actually implem… --- ## [Why Do Atheists Interpret the Bible Hyper-Literally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-atheists-interpret-the-bible-hyper-literally/554842)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-atheists-interpret-the-bible-hyper-literally/554842 "2010-10-15T16:01:31Z")
Why do most atheists who debate theists interpret the Bible (or other religious texts) even more literally than most fundamentalists? Case in point: http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/ --- ## [So who can answer Jerry Pournelle's questions about Global Warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-can-answer-jerry-pournelles-questions-about-global-warming/556876)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-can-answer-jerry-pournelles-questions-about-global-warming/556876 "2010-10-15T15:08:21Z")
There has been a lively discussion over at www.jerrypournelle.com about Global Warming. It boils down to this, and I have to agree, how can we make conclusions about small differences in climate when the purported chang… --- ## [If I ran for President of the United States as a (D) from MA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-ran-for-president-of-the-united-states-as-a-d-from-ma/557102)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-ran-for-president-of-the-united-states-as-a-d-from-ma/557102 "2010-10-15T13:39:43Z")
With the following policy beliefs: 1)Pro 2 State Solution/Israel has blanket right of self defense 2)Pro Affirmative Action for what it really is/anti-AA for what most people believe it is 3)Pull troops from Europe, p… --- ## [The Best of all Possible Worlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-of-all-possible-worlds/553190)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 269\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-of-all-possible-worlds/553190 "2010-10-15T08:54:59Z")
Over in this thread discussing problems with the notion of an omnimax creator god, a bit of a tangent has developed discussing Leibniz’ answer to the so-called problem of evil, which essentially has him positing the crea… --- ## [How Did Christianity End Up With No Notions Of Ritual Impurity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-christianity-end-up-with-no-notions-of-ritual-impurity/556687)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-christianity-end-up-with-no-notions-of-ritual-impurity/556687 "2010-10-15T02:51:13Z")
I’m putting this in GD because someone’s bound to take it down a road I didn’t really intend. Being “unclean” is a big deal in Judaism and Islam (and, I think, other religions, AFAICT). Certain animals, objects, action… --- ## [Is Our Knowledge of our Mortality What Sets Us Apart From Other Animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-knowledge-of-our-mortality-what-sets-us-apart-from-other-animals/541652)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-knowledge-of-our-mortality-what-sets-us-apart-from-other-animals/541652 "2010-10-15T00:50:26Z")
I don’t really know why I was thinking about this, but it occurred to me that my cat probablky has no idea it is going to die. In fact I am sure most all animals haven’t a clue that they are going to die. That just isn… --- ## [Voting old, elderly, codgers to high office...............](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-old-elderly-codgers-to-high-office/556968)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-old-elderly-codgers-to-high-office/556968 "2010-10-14T20:24:12Z")
I noticed that Daniel Inouye is running for re-election as the senior Senator of the state of Hawaii. The guy is 86 years old! He was first elected to the Senate in the Nov. 1962 elections and became a senator in 1963. … --- ## [So Were "Mortgage Backed Securities" Really a Bad Idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-mortgage-backed-securities-really-a-bad-idea/555361)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-mortgage-backed-securities-really-a-bad-idea/555361 "2010-10-14T17:33:09Z")
The USA mortgage meltdown, which resulted in the current depression, was an event that had many causes. Among them was the financial device known as the “Mortgage Backed Security”-which was a way fro mortgage originator… --- ## [Whose heads will roll after the Democrats lose big in November?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-heads-will-roll-after-the-democrats-lose-big-in-november/556356)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-heads-will-roll-after-the-democrats-lose-big-in-november/556356 "2010-10-14T15:33:25Z")
Even an organization as spineless as the Democrats aren’t going to let something like this pass without delivering a little carnage. Personally I don’t think things are looking good for Tim Kaine. I don’t if anyone here… --- ## [Does Lt. Watada stand any chance of acquittal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-lt-watada-stand-any-chance-of-acquittal/391222)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-lt-watada-stand-any-chance-of-acquittal/391222 "2010-10-14T15:30:16Z")
I didn’t put this in GD because all I’m asking is whether the lieutenant who refused to go to Iraq has any real chance of being acquitted. His argument is that the war in Iraq is illegal, thus to obey the order to go the… --- ## [An Honest Discussion on the Relationship between Plagiarism and Piracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-honest-discussion-on-the-relationship-between-plagiarism-and-piracy/556802)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-honest-discussion-on-the-relationship-between-plagiarism-and-piracy/556802 "2010-10-14T15:16:33Z")
I originally posted this query elsewhere but no one seemed interested in talking about it, so I thought this would open it for discussion here. The other day I saw on a message board that there was some outcry about a ‘… --- ## [Has the recession created a "lost generation" of permanently unemployed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-recession-created-a-lost-generation-of-permanently-unemployed/549657)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 314\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-recession-created-a-lost-generation-of-permanently-unemployed/549657 "2010-10-14T08:36:28Z")
Reading the news recently made me wonder about this. Various threads here (and common sense) have told me that once you hit 40 (or so), the chances of you getting a new job outside retail or fast food diminish extremely … --- ## [HMG launches "Your Freedom": Suggest a crappy law, they'll think about repealing it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmg-launches-your-freedom-suggest-a-crappy-law-theyll-think-about-repealing-it/545177)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2010, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmg-launches-your-freedom-suggest-a-crappy-law-theyll-think-about-repealing-it/545177 "2010-10-14T07:43:37Z")
Clicky. Britons: good or bad idea? My opinion is this could either be a complete disaster, or an amazing success. I like the sentiment, though. Anybody got any laws in mind they’d like scrapped? --- ## [How far back is history accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-is-history-accurate/556771)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-is-history-accurate/556771 "2010-10-13T22:43:20Z")
Future historians looking back to 2010 will undoubtedly have an accurate picture of everything from here on in. But what about us, right now? How far back can we go with absolute certainty? The 20th century? Yeah, pre… --- ## [The bloated US military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bloated-us-military/556391)
**Author:** [@Dcypher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dcypher)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bloated-us-military/556391 "2010-10-13T19:33:12Z")
Why do we keep US troops all over the world? Would we not benefit ourselves by simply emptying Germany and England and everywhere else of US troops? Do we really need 12 aircraft carrier battlegroups? What will it tak… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=428) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=430)