# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=520 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 521 --- ## [Did the 'welfare reform' movement of the 1990s work as desired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-welfare-reform-movement-of-the-1990s-work-as-desired/505463)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-welfare-reform-movement-of-the-1990s-work-as-desired/505463 "2009-08-07T16:31:27Z")
In 1996 the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act was made into law in the U.S. with the goal of 'ending welfare as we know it." I remember clearly at the time many of my friend being very afra… --- ## [Americans Spend $34 Billion on "Alternative Medicines"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-spend-34-billion-on-alternative-medicines/505101)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-spend-34-billion-on-alternative-medicines/505101 "2009-08-07T13:04:07Z")
…what does this say about the average American’s intelligence? Was P.T. Barnum right? I was wondering…since people blow all of this money on homeopathic “medicines”, herbal remedies, and eveb more bizarre therapies (like… --- ## [Is the cars for clunkers a repeat of the real estate debacle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cars-for-clunkers-a-repeat-of-the-real-estate-debacle/505495)
**Author:** [@joesixpack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joesixpack)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cars-for-clunkers-a-repeat-of-the-real-estate-debacle/505495 "2009-08-07T12:24:52Z")
They are giving new cars to people who were driving old clunkers. Most of These people obviously couldn’t afford a new car without the Government hand out. What happens when these people cant make their car payments? The… --- ## [Clinton Goes To North Korea: Bill, Not Hillary - Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-goes-to-north-korea-bill-not-hillary-why/505275)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-goes-to-north-korea-bill-not-hillary-why/505275 "2009-08-07T07:42:23Z")
Just wondering why Bill Clinton went instead of Hillary. Answering my own question, do you think they want to keep this “informal” rather than “formal” by sending an ex-President instead of the current Sec. of State? I … --- ## [Another P2P music sharing verdict - $675,000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-p2p-music-sharing-verdict-675-000/505175)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-p2p-music-sharing-verdict-675-000/505175 "2009-08-07T07:04:38Z")
Joel Tenenbaum’s decision to share songs has cost him a judgment of $675,000. Tenenbaum says: So far as I can tell, he reaches this conclusion because the jury awarded only $22,500 per song, instead of the legally-pos… --- ## [Say, Weren't We Gonna Discuss Presidents Every Week?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-werent-we-gonna-discuss-presidents-every-week/505571)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-werent-we-gonna-discuss-presidents-every-week/505571 "2009-08-06T21:05:15Z")
Where did we leave off? Thomas Jefferson? Thomas Jefferson: Smart Guy, nice house, Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark, did a lot to de-aristocratize the presidency. But lousy with money and there’s that whole Sally Hem… --- ## [US Journalists held in North Korea Freed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-journalists-held-in-north-korea-freed/505344)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-journalists-held-in-north-korea-freed/505344 "2009-08-06T16:58:39Z")
Bill Clinton has succeeded in getting Laura Ling and Euna Lee freed from their 12-year sentence in North Korea. Story here: North Korea Orders Release Of Euna Lee, Laura Ling During Clinton Visit The question for discu… --- ## [To all (presumptively) right wingers that take umbrage with the cash-for-clunkers website disclaimer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-all-presumptively-right-wingers-that-take-umbrage-with-the-cash-for-clunkers-website-disclaimer/505196)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-all-presumptively-right-wingers-that-take-umbrage-with-the-cash-for-clunkers-website-disclaimer/505196 "2009-08-06T15:56:56Z")
really? are you serious? where were you half a decade ago when Bush et al were taking a big dump on our civil liberties in far more egregious and inescapable ways? Wiretapping programs, expansion of government data surv… --- ## [There's no such thing as a Free Health Care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-health-care/505219)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-health-care/505219 "2009-08-06T03:19:21Z")
I’m pro public option, but I’m getting tired of people talking about “free health care.” This seems connected to the “big pot of money somewhere” theory of how government works. Whenever you ask for something, the money… --- ## [Americans are responsible for the vast majority of all health care innovations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-responsible-for-the-vast-majority-of-all-health-care-innovations/505115)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-responsible-for-the-vast-majority-of-all-health-care-innovations/505115 "2009-08-05T22:11:47Z")
Thiscaught my eye: It is known that many national healthcare systems are able to save money because of their monopsonistic market powers, which by definition bidd down price and reduce the quantity healthcare from what… --- ## [Shouldn't conservatives (esp. 2nd Amendment) support a "civilian security force"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-conservatives-esp-2nd-amendment-support-a-civilian-security-force/505453)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-conservatives-esp-2nd-amendment-support-a-civilian-security-force/505453 "2009-08-05T20:29:44Z")
In looking through some of the stuff being espoused by the conservatives I came across another paranoid alarm that claims that the evil Obama is establishing a “civilian security force”. Of course, to them this if furthe… --- ## [Why do we have the legal concept of marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-the-legal-concept-of-marriage/505223)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-the-legal-concept-of-marriage/505223 "2009-08-05T18:33:42Z")
First let me say I am not opposed to same-sex marriage per se. But presumably there is some advantage to being (legally) married rather than just being a couple, otherwise homosexuals would not want the category extende… --- ## [Should Mary Surratt have been hanged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mary-surratt-have-been-hanged/505357)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mary-surratt-have-been-hanged/505357 "2009-08-05T18:21:49Z")
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve read American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies and Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer Between the two, and my previous knowledge of the assassination c… --- ## [Where did David Icke get this idea about Reptilians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-david-icke-get-this-idea-about-reptilians/504163)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 234\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-david-icke-get-this-idea-about-reptilians/504163 "2009-08-05T15:35:15Z")
I just want to know where David Icke got the idea that there are reptilians that run the world. I can understand the idea about there being an Illuminati, I just don’t know how the reptiles entered the picture. (Please … --- ## [The Ignored Holocaust Victims](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ignored-holocaust-victims/505147)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ignored-holocaust-victims/505147 "2009-08-05T11:30:07Z")
I’ve seen many monuments and tributes to victims of the Nazi Holocaust in my life. They all mention certain groups among the victims including Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and the physically and mentally handicapped. A … --- ## [Blasphemers will be punished with a stiff.... fine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blasphemers-will-be-punished-with-a-stiff-fine/505109)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blasphemers-will-be-punished-with-a-stiff-fine/505109 "2009-08-05T07:54:40Z")
It seems that while we were distracted with such incredibly important things as Michael Jackson’s death and Papi’s steroid use, Ireland went and made blasphemy illegal. That’s about US$35345 folks. And what constitute… --- ## [Myanmar/Burma. Nuclear Weapons. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-burma-nuclear-weapons-why/505356)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-burma-nuclear-weapons-why/505356 "2009-08-05T05:38:09Z")
Myanmar. Atomic weapons. Why? The US? China? India/Pakistan? Other? What makes them feel this threatened? They wouldn’t even let aid workers in, after the big hurricane. Why are they so paranoid? Background info app… --- ## [Business License Obligations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-license-obligations/504995)
**Author:** [@Dynamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dynamo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-license-obligations/504995 "2009-08-05T00:54:07Z")
I started a lawn business in college as a way to make some side cash. Last November, I received a business license renewal letter in the mail from my city. Since the last renewal cycle I had pretty much given up the busi… --- ## [The Good, The Perfect, and The Politically Ugly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-the-perfect-and-the-politically-ugly/505186)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-the-perfect-and-the-politically-ugly/505186 "2009-08-04T21:52:21Z")
A hypothetical scenario: Policy P(erfect) and Policy G(ood) both address a problem. Policy P is objectively much better than Policy G. Unfortunately, while Policy P is technically feasible, it is politically untenable… --- ## [Tax policy is not about revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-policy-is-not-about-revenue/505237)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-policy-is-not-about-revenue/505237 "2009-08-04T20:49:07Z")
On issues of inequality and tax progressivity, there is a contingent that believes that debates center on how to extract tax revenues where the deadweight losses are smallest to maximize well-being. This is bollocks. T… --- ## [Who's more delusional - the Obama birthers or the moon landing deniers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-more-delusional-the-obama-birthers-or-the-moon-landing-deniers/504119)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-more-delusional-the-obama-birthers-or-the-moon-landing-deniers/504119 "2009-08-04T19:25:59Z")
I think the birthers have an edge in terms of craziness, because at the least the moon landing deniers aren’t filing lawsuits to “prove” NASA wrong. But either group isn’t going to be swayed by reason, or for that matter… --- ## [Professor Skip Gates arrested in front of his own home; claims racism from Cambridge police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professor-skip-gates-arrested-in-front-of-his-own-home-claims-racism-from-cambridge-police/503709)
**Author:** [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Replies:** 291\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professor-skip-gates-arrested-in-front-of-his-own-home-claims-racism-from-cambridge-police/503709 "2009-08-04T18:31:15Z")
One of my students sent me this link: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1911737,00.html?artId=1911737?contType=article?chn=us He asked a few questions about it… not sure if I want to make this a Great Deba… --- ## [Tasing the deaf & disabled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasing-the-deaf-disabled/504598)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasing-the-deaf-disabled/504598 "2009-08-04T02:58:29Z")
The story: That seems like a pretty heavy response to an umbrella that’s on the other side of a closed door to me, especially when the man with the umbrella has said nothing, made no threats, and has not attempted to s… --- ## [Conservative opinion on US health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-opinion-on-us-health-care/504356)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-opinion-on-us-health-care/504356 "2009-08-04T01:05:28Z")
Conservatives are against the latest health care reform effort, which seems to be sinking (or has already sunk), and seem to be against any attempt to change the status quo (especially if that change involves the governm… --- ## [On the intersection of work effort and income ceilings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-intersection-of-work-effort-and-income-ceilings/505092)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-intersection-of-work-effort-and-income-ceilings/505092 "2009-08-04T00:40:56Z")
Do you really, honestly, believe that work effort/innovative effort would take a hit if maximum income in a given year was capped. Let’s imagine a system where the maximal income anyone could earn a year would be a ceili… --- ## [Obama will "possibly be the least popular \[President\] of the modern era."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-will-possibly-be-the-least-popular-president-of-the-modern-era/504174)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-will-possibly-be-the-least-popular-president-of-the-modern-era/504174 "2009-08-04T00:10:42Z")
So claims Gene Healy in this Economist tidbit. Healy is the author of The Cult of the Presidency, which argues that that particular branch of the government has gained dangerous amounts of power and popularity. This b… --- ## [Reducing healthcare costs via tort reform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reducing-healthcare-costs-via-tort-reform/504484)
**Author:** [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reducing-healthcare-costs-via-tort-reform/504484 "2009-08-03T22:32:03Z")
I was under the impression that a big part of the cost of healthcare in the U.S. could be attributed to doctors running exhaustive batteries of tests, some would say unnecessarily exhaustive, “just in case” they were sue… --- ## [Suppose the UK and USA fell out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-the-uk-and-usa-fell-out/504564)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-the-uk-and-usa-fell-out/504564 "2009-08-03T22:27:43Z")
Let’s say for the sake of argument there is a major diplomatic or even a non-diplomatic incident which causes our two countries to tear up the “Special Relationship” which we have at present. Insults are hurled back and… --- ## [Actively Managed Financial Funds Are A World-Class Scam \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actively-managed-financial-funds-are-a-world-class-scam-ed-title/504189)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actively-managed-financial-funds-are-a-world-class-scam-ed-title/504189 "2009-08-03T20:48:08Z")
Don’t think that I have no idea about the finance industry and mutual funds in general work. I do and I have studied it for my own sake. I will keep it simple and just say that the whole industry claims that it can do so… --- ## [Are the blind human?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-blind-human/503801)
**Author:** [@SmashTheState](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmashTheState)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-blind-human/503801 "2009-08-03T19:42:13Z")
Wait, I’m not trolling. Hear me out. When I use the word “human” here, I am not referring just to homo sapiens sapiens, but a gestalt created through the shared set of experiences and archetypes which we refer to as th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=519) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=521)