# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=587 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 588 --- ## [Another "Would you abolish the Electoral College" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-would-you-abolish-the-electoral-college-thread/469670)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-would-you-abolish-the-electoral-college-thread/469670 "2008-10-29T22:27:19Z")
I’ve heard most of the arguments from both sides. The biggest arguments from the “get rid of it” side tend to be Election 2000 and the other 3 elections (1888, 1876, 1824) in which electoral majority won over popular ma… --- ## [How Would Christian Scientists fare Under Universal Healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-christian-scientists-fare-under-universal-healthcare/469825)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-christian-scientists-fare-under-universal-healthcare/469825 "2008-10-29T22:20:05Z")
As I understand it, the CS Church posits that all physical ailments (diseases, illnesses) are the result of incorrect thinking-and therefore, medical treatment is not necessary. CS people who are ill are treated by CS “p… --- ## [The losing candidate in the new administration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-losing-candidate-in-the-new-administration/470094)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-losing-candidate-in-the-new-administration/470094 "2008-10-29T21:32:36Z")
This has obviously been a tough campaign on both sides. Both have taken time to slam their opponents when able to do so. Not unlike the primaries for both parties. However, after the primaries all the candidates from … --- ## [One week to go -- one last Obama v. McCain thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-to-go-one-last-obama-v-mccain-thread/469761)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-to-go-one-last-obama-v-mccain-thread/469761 "2008-10-29T20:22:26Z")
One of these two senators will be our next POTUS. By now we know everything there is to know about them, I should think. Which should it be? Don’t just tell us who you’re supporting – we already have two IMHO threads … --- ## [What would make you take up arms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-you-take-up-arms/469457)
**Author:** [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-make-you-take-up-arms/469457 "2008-10-29T18:57:49Z")
So the current “conflict” has a lot of my coworkers talking about war. They think there should be a draft. This is in IMHO because I want serious discussion\* \*If the Russkies/Arabs/Texans/Brown people invade my country… --- ## [Fairness. Home Ownership Income Tax Deductions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairness-home-ownership-income-tax-deductions/470006)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairness-home-ownership-income-tax-deductions/470006 "2008-10-29T17:28:14Z")
Back in 79, I was spurred to by a home with a promise of a 50% deduction for mortgage interest by Joe Clark, the Canadian Progressive Conservative Leader who I helped elect. Only he reneged and was quickly dumped and I’v… --- ## [Can the Republican Party find its way again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-republican-party-find-its-way-again/468958)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-republican-party-find-its-way-again/468958 "2008-10-29T16:09:17Z")
This thread is not about the election. Well, not exactly, anyway. In a thread I’m too lazy to look for right now, I spoke of being voting Republican in my youth and changing parties a few years back. I did so because … --- ## [Fact Checking on "the price of our freedoms"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-on-the-price-of-our-freedoms/470036)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-on-the-price-of-our-freedoms/470036 "2008-10-29T15:11:12Z")
I was speaking with one of those who believe middle eastern extremists hate US citizens for their freedoms. I was told that a problem with the US is that we don’t appreciate that we have the most freedoms of any country … --- ## [Ted Stevens found Guilty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-stevens-found-guilty/469834)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-stevens-found-guilty/469834 "2008-10-29T14:50:16Z")
Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has just been found guilty on all 7 counts. So, has this sunk his reelection chances? --- ## [Media bias favors McCain, not Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-favors-mccain-not-obama/469946)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-favors-mccain-not-obama/469946 "2008-10-29T14:28:48Z")
To the extent there is any. Now can we please drop this anticipatory-sour-grapes meme about the liberal media being “in the tank” for Obama? If McCain loses this election, it will be because the people prefer the Democ… --- ## [Are we seeing a break between Palin and McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-seeing-a-break-between-palin-and-mccain/469354)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-seeing-a-break-between-palin-and-mccain/469354 "2008-10-29T13:30:06Z")
In light of Governor Palin breaking away from her McCain handlers and speaking to reporters and her doing more “off the cuff” interviews does this indicate that she is attempting some separation from the top name on the … --- ## [Smedley Butler Day? Is this for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smedley-butler-day-is-this-for-real/469984)
**Author:** [@OompaLoompa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OompaLoompa)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smedley-butler-day-is-this-for-real/469984 "2008-10-29T08:08:12Z")
I got this semi-kooky email about Smedley Butler, but then got interested because I like history. There’s a link in it, but basically he was a Marine for 30 years, resigned as a general, then went into politics and beca… --- ## [Is this a logical and fair, if intentionally simplistic view of taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-logical-and-fair-if-intentionally-simplistic-view-of-taxes/470014)
**Author:** [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-logical-and-fair-if-intentionally-simplistic-view-of-taxes/470014 "2008-10-29T03:26:04Z")
Whenever people get uppity about taxes, or start yelling about Marxism and Socialism, I tend to trot out my simple maxim: “Taxes are the commission that you pay for having this entire infrastructure in which you can mak… --- ## [What is libertarianism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-libertarianism/469693)
**Author:** [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-libertarianism/469693 "2008-10-29T02:31:10Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism: Be it resolved that wikipedia’s description is accurate enough for everyone to accept. Inspired by this thread. Has the banking crisis killed libertarianism? - Great Debate… --- ## [Why the demonization of Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-demonization-of-obama/455488)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-demonization-of-obama/455488 "2008-10-29T01:27:50Z")
I’m not talking about ideological criticism of Obama actual policies, like here, from the left or the right, or about at least arguably dodgy (if overly hyped) stuff like his association with Tony Rezko. I’m talking abo… --- ## [Obama speaks for the middle class -- but who speaks for the lower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-speaks-for-the-middle-class-but-who-speaks-for-the-lower/467757)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-speaks-for-the-middle-class-but-who-speaks-for-the-lower/467757 "2008-10-29T00:56:35Z")
One thing I noticed in the last debate was that Obama kept talking of the middle class, the middle class, making government responsive to the needs of the middle class. Well and good, but why is there nothing in his mes… --- ## [Obama interview on "redistributing wealth": will this play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-interview-on-redistributing-wealth-will-this-play/469884)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-interview-on-redistributing-wealth-will-this-play/469884 "2008-10-28T19:46:46Z")
Sure, conservatives are going agog over this 2001 interview, which they claim that Obama flat out says that he’s in favor of redistributing wealth. But my basic question is, will it play in Peoria (or anywhere)? Frankl… --- ## [Has the banking crisis killed libertarianism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-banking-crisis-killed-libertarianism/469242)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-banking-crisis-killed-libertarianism/469242 "2008-10-28T17:54:04Z")
So argues Jacob Weisberg in this article: Even noted libertarian Alan Greenspan seems chastened: So how about it? Does the collapse expose the flaws of libertarian philosophy? Or is some libertarian out there prepare… --- ## [ACORN submits fraudulent voter registrations en masse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-submits-fraudulent-voter-registrations-en-masse/466984)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 598\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-submits-fraudulent-voter-registrations-en-masse/466984 "2008-10-28T17:16:15Z")
In these forums (fora, for the more pretentious), the merest hint about the latest negative story concerning Palin had at least one, and often multiple, threads within the hour. (Whatever happened to the phony pregnancy … --- ## [How big a role will fraud play in the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-role-will-fraud-play-in-the-election/469777)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-role-will-fraud-play-in-the-election/469777 "2008-10-28T16:51:37Z")
Inspired by a post in the “McCain forked” thread. In what seems an unusual thing for an election, both sides are talking a lot about fraud: Democrats are talking about reports of electronic voting machines in several st… --- ## [Will English as lingua franca suffer as a result of the financial crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-english-as-lingua-franca-suffer-as-a-result-of-the-financial-crisis/469189)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-english-as-lingua-franca-suffer-as-a-result-of-the-financial-crisis/469189 "2008-10-28T16:22:26Z")
Well not just the financial crisis, but as a result of a general US decline. I think English is very well suited to serve this purpose, being both fairly easy to learn the basics of, and with a very large vocabulary. How… --- ## [So what's in it for Drudge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-in-it-for-drudge/469788)
**Author:** [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-in-it-for-drudge/469788 "2008-10-28T15:24:55Z")
I guess anyone who follows the intarweb knows the Drudge site. And knows that it’s not particularly unbiased – witness his harping on global warming every time some place in Oshkosh gets an unseasonably chilly day. … --- ## [ATF Disrupts Obama Assassination plot.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atf-disrupts-obama-assassination-plot/469845)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atf-disrupts-obama-assassination-plot/469845 "2008-10-28T14:04:29Z")
Link. Any effect on the election? EDIT: They also intended to murder a large number of people, with assassinating Obama to finish up. It’s so appalling I don’t even really know how to say it. Anyway, my feeling is thi… --- ## [Am I wrong to view Guy Fawkes as a hero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-wrong-to-view-guy-fawkes-as-a-hero/469473)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-wrong-to-view-guy-fawkes-as-a-hero/469473 "2008-10-28T13:41:31Z")
I watched “V for Vendetta” tonight and I realized that I had never thought of Guy Fawkes as a villain. Not necessarily competent, but Jacobean England was full of spies and stoolies and any conspiracy was likely to fail… --- ## [Voter Machine Fraud Starting Already](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-machine-fraud-starting-already/468587)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-machine-fraud-starting-already/468587 "2008-10-28T04:36:11Z")
Is it too early to start? Voting machines in West Virginia are showing tallying problems. There are not long lines yet,so people are seeing the machines flip their vote from the intended candidate to the other one. The… --- ## [A close family member plans to engage in actual voter fraud...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-close-family-member-plans-to-engage-in-actual-voter-fraud/469471)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-close-family-member-plans-to-engage-in-actual-voter-fraud/469471 "2008-10-28T03:21:50Z")
I have a close family member who lives in NYC and has for the past 4 years, but I just found out is using my address to vote here in Ohio, because it has a better chance to make a difference seeing as he’s a Republican. … --- ## [Is it silly to attack Joe the Plumber for being named Sam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-to-attack-joe-the-plumber-for-being-named-sam/469654)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-to-attack-joe-the-plumber-for-being-named-sam/469654 "2008-10-28T03:18:07Z")
My father has always gone by his middle name. So did Calvin Coolidge (ever hear him called John). Same thing for Woodrow Wilson (Thomas). With many good reasons for attacking Joe, should this one be dropped? --- ## [Will Palin still trust God if they lose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-palin-still-trust-god-if-they-lose/469269)
**Author:** [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-palin-still-trust-god-if-they-lose/469269 "2008-10-28T03:09:09Z")
Sarah Palin’s recent comments to James Dobson (Focus on the Family) re’ the upcoming election make me wonder. She said: “And it also strengthens my faith because I know at the end of the day putting this in God’s hands… --- ## [The Fairness Doctrine.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fairness-doctrine/469580)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fairness-doctrine/469580 "2008-10-28T02:21:18Z")
Today on the POTUS channel of my satellite radio I heard some Pajamas Media guy (link is not to the transcript but the same basic message) go on about The Fairness Doctrine. Now I must admit that I was a bit uninformed a… --- ## [National Driver's Licence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-drivers-licence/469636)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-drivers-licence/469636 "2008-10-28T01:59:20Z")
Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to have a national driver’s license at this point? That way we could make sure that you only hold a license from one state at a time. That would make it easier to track voter registratio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=586) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=588)