# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=588 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 589 --- ## [The Earth is going to be destroyed. Do we tell the public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-earth-is-going-to-be-destroyed-do-we-tell-the-public/469680)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-earth-is-going-to-be-destroyed-do-we-tell-the-public/469680 "2008-10-28T01:05:46Z")
In this thread I’ve set up a scenario where the Earth is going to be destroyed, but that there’s a slim chance humanity can survive if we can get off the planet. Building the needed ship(s) will require a global commitm… --- ## [Obama's Tax "Cut" for non tax payers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-tax-cut-for-non-tax-payers/469125)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-tax-cut-for-non-tax-payers/469125 "2008-10-27T23:53:55Z")
Okay, I guess my flip-flopping has put me back in the undecided camp this election because of what I have heard about Obama’s tax cuts. I put this in GD because it will go there soon, and while I do have questions about… --- ## [Was it a mistake for Obama to pull out of Georgia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-mistake-for-obama-to-pull-out-of-georgia/469769)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-mistake-for-obama-to-pull-out-of-georgia/469769 "2008-10-27T22:33:18Z")
Back near the end of September, Obama announced he was pulling out of North Dakota and Georgia to put more resources into Wisconsin and Minnesota. Of course, now if you look at the polls, both North Daktota and Georgia … --- ## [Potential US S.Ct. vacancies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-us-s-ct-vacancies/469402)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-us-s-ct-vacancies/469402 "2008-10-27T22:04:59Z")
Not sure this is a debate, but I post here as it touches on things debatable. One reason I’m voting for Obama is so that a conservative does not get to push the S.Ct. further to the right. But I didn’t really know whic… --- ## [How much would it cost to implement Universal Healthcare in the U.S?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-implement-universal-healthcare-in-the-u-s/469302)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-implement-universal-healthcare-in-the-u-s/469302 "2008-10-27T20:20:48Z")
If we switched to a single payer system, how much more money would the government have to spend to implement it compared to what we’re spending now? I’ve got a buddy who is pretty liberal, but he seems to be convinced t… --- ## [At this point in the game, does campaigning still make a difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-this-point-in-the-game-does-campaigning-still-make-a-difference/469441)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-this-point-in-the-game-does-campaigning-still-make-a-difference/469441 "2008-10-27T19:18:24Z")
Less then 2 weeks before the US elections, does a POTUS candidate’s campaigning make a difference? Make that a positive difference? It sometimes seems that the are more likely to hurt themselves then help. They aren’t s… --- ## [How important is divided government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-divided-government/469787)
**Author:** [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-divided-government/469787 "2008-10-27T18:41:53Z")
I was reading this Telegraph article article, and part of it popped out at me: Now, I definitely lean more towards the Democrats than the Republicans, and I’ll be voting for Obama, but I don’t really like the idea of o… --- ## [It's the official last Presidential Debate thread!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 582\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001 "2008-10-27T18:10:13Z")
OK, so the last of the four debates (3 presidential, 1 VP) is on Wednesday 10/15. The Obama/Biden team are widely believed to have ‘won’ the first 3. Does this format favor either one of the candidates? Does it even m… --- ## [McCain Supporter Attacked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporter-attacked/469272)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporter-attacked/469272 "2008-10-27T17:36:52Z")
For some reason thishas Tawana Bradley written all over it. For one thing, the “B” is a mirror image which suggests that it could have been done by the woman herself. This is not to say that a crazed Obama supporter coul… --- ## [The stock market is over.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stock-market-is-over/463931)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stock-market-is-over/463931 "2008-10-27T15:55:04Z")
It’s served it’s purpose, and now is, indeed, a casino. Perhaps it always has been. So few shouldn’t be allowed to jerk so many around. Part of the problem is that technology has outgrown the market. Things happen way t… --- ## [Dawkins on Martin Luther King, Jr.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dawkins-on-martin-luther-king-jr/468274)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dawkins-on-martin-luther-king-jr/468274 "2008-10-27T15:17:34Z")
Some time ago I started a thread asking for the justification behind Richard Dawkins’ statement about the death of Alan Turing. Since not much justification was provided, I’m forced to conclude that it was a falsehood. … --- ## [Four debates and nobody talked about immigration?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-debates-and-nobody-talked-about-immigration/468283)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-debates-and-nobody-talked-about-immigration/468283 "2008-10-27T12:51:41Z")
I watched all four . . . Perhaps something has slipped my mind, or I was in the restroom at a crucial moment, but I cannot recall any of the candidates discussing, nor being asked any questions about, immigration – one o… --- ## [What areas of my life are off-limits to an employer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-areas-of-my-life-are-off-limits-to-an-employer/468580)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-areas-of-my-life-are-off-limits-to-an-employer/468580 "2008-10-27T10:56:58Z")
“Socialist” Country Comparisons Credit check a condition of employment? Things brought up in these 2 threads have me wondering what the reach of an employer is, legally speaking, and what people’s perceptions are about… --- ## [Journalism, Lies and Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journalism-lies-and-elections/469466)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journalism-lies-and-elections/469466 "2008-10-27T03:24:38Z")
OK, let me preface this as a person that’s really not all that impressed with either political party nor either candidate, but I read this and wondered what the Dopers out there would think about it. It’s an article by … --- ## [Why don't we racialy segregate our prison system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-racialy-segregate-our-prison-system/469592)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-racialy-segregate-our-prison-system/469592 "2008-10-27T02:34:02Z")
Before anyone starts, let me categorically emphasize that, I’m personally against racial segregation of any kind. That said, if one believes the ‘real life’ prison shows, it seems that the prisoners already segregate th… --- ## [hmm - maybe calling your opponents Anti-American isn't such a good strategy after all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmm-maybe-calling-your-opponents-anti-american-isnt-such-a-good-strategy-after-all/469342)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmm-maybe-calling-your-opponents-anti-american-isnt-such-a-good-strategy-after-all/469342 "2008-10-27T00:32:58Z")
The Republican National Congressional Committee has suspended its campaign funding in Representative Bachmann’s district: GOP Pulling Its Ads From Bachmann’s Race, Media Buyers Say. The pullout follows a surge in fundra… --- ## [Who would be in Obama or McCain's cabinet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-in-obama-or-mccains-cabinet/469542)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-in-obama-or-mccains-cabinet/469542 "2008-10-27T00:20:39Z")
I’m surprised that I haven’t read much about this earlier, but the New York Times discusses potential Obama and McCain appointments in this article. Here are the listed possibilities, although different advisors for eac… --- ## [Two Questions About Libertarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-libertarianism/469596)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-libertarianism/469596 "2008-10-26T17:16:01Z")
Are inter-generational contracts enforceable? For example, if I agree that my family will sell your family water for 100 years at the market rate, can this contract be enforced against my children? What kind of pena… --- ## [Does shock value do any good in promoting a cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-shock-value-do-any-good-in-promoting-a-cause/469465)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-shock-value-do-any-good-in-promoting-a-cause/469465 "2008-10-26T14:02:28Z")
Up until a month ago, a billboard near my home promoted a charity that does facial reconstruction for poor children overseas. They do so with a twenty foot tall photo of an infant with pronounced cleft lip and palate. M… --- ## [What poll should I consider accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poll-should-i-consider-accurate/469403)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poll-should-i-consider-accurate/469403 "2008-10-26T09:07:13Z")
I’m wondering what poll webistes are the best to go to. I usually check CNN, RCP and the one on Yahoo, but they all have differning numbers. While all of them look pretty good for the dems I’m not sure which one is the m… --- ## [Is private sector more efficient than government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-private-sector-more-efficient-than-government/468996)
**Author:** [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-private-sector-more-efficient-than-government/468996 "2008-10-26T04:39:12Z")
I didn’t want to hijack the pit thread on the advantages/limitations of a single-payer healthcare system. So I decided to start this thread instead. Over in the pit, Sateryn76 said: This is a statement I see a lot. It … --- ## [McCain: The Last Ten Days- Are they bluffing or planning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-the-last-ten-days-are-they-bluffing-or-planning/467941)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-the-last-ten-days-are-they-bluffing-or-planning/467941 "2008-10-26T03:27:33Z")
McCain on the current stateof the race: But increasingly this is followed by (emphasis mine): So 1- Do you think he’s bluffing or is he really planning something big for the last 10 days? 2- How is being behind in … --- ## [What exactly does the fake Obama campaign donor names \*mean\*, really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-the-fake-obama-campaign-donor-names-mean-really/469311)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-the-fake-obama-campaign-donor-names-mean-really/469311 "2008-10-26T03:11:34Z")
Conservatives argue this is “fraud” and “criminal,” especially after one blogger put in obviously fake info and got a donation accepted by the campaign website with that info. Assuming that a significant number of these… --- ## [Dang, I think I have to support offshore drilling in California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dang-i-think-i-have-to-support-offshore-drilling-in-california/469485)
**Author:** [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dang-i-think-i-have-to-support-offshore-drilling-in-california/469485 "2008-10-26T02:56:41Z")
Having lived through the various oil spills in California over the years and the subsequent hiatus in new offshore drilling, and having been an engineer for big oil in both Saudi Arabia and arctic Alaska, I feel well acq… --- ## [What happened to the electoral college blowouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-electoral-college-blowouts/469245)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-electoral-college-blowouts/469245 "2008-10-26T02:19:19Z")
I was in elementary school the last time a Presidential candidate claimed more than 400 electoral votes. So from my perspective, it seems like the Democrats always win certain states, the Republicans others, with a rela… --- ## [Does the World "Deserve" a Recession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-world-deserve-a-recession/469506)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-world-deserve-a-recession/469506 "2008-10-26T01:46:23Z")
Perhaps this is General Question, perhaps it is just me sounding out words in order to clarify my thoughts. Sometimes thinking out loud helps me clarify my thoughts. Of slavery Lincoln once mused (and I paraphrase) the … --- ## [US Lawyer dopers; US Supreme Court Justices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-lawyer-dopers-us-supreme-court-justices/469336)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-lawyer-dopers-us-supreme-court-justices/469336 "2008-10-26T00:59:41Z")
As a lawyer trained in another common law legal system (England and Wales), I am often bemused by the selection and workings of US Supreme Court Justices. Its a highly political exercise, as opposed to what is the case i… --- ## ["Socialist" Country Comparisons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialist-country-comparisons/468325)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialist-country-comparisons/468325 "2008-10-26T00:15:30Z")
I’ve read a lot of stuff lately, some here and some in comments sections of other websites, where people are outraged that Obama is a … SOCIALIST. The word is being used like I would use “child molester” Socialism see… --- ## [Term Limits, a.k.a. Bloomberg's crossing of the NYC Rubicon (East River?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits-a-k-a-bloombergs-crossing-of-the-nyc-rubicon-east-river/469388)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits-a-k-a-bloombergs-crossing-of-the-nyc-rubicon-east-river/469388 "2008-10-25T20:02:37Z")
I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been a thread about this, but I know it’s a local issue. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has decided he’s running for \[del\]President\[/del\] \[del\]Vice President\[/del\] \[del\]Governor\[/… --- ## [Should we abolish the vice-presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-abolish-the-vice-presidency/469348)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-abolish-the-vice-presidency/469348 "2008-10-25T16:26:45Z")
I don’t know what the Framers were thinking of when they wrote the office into the Constitution. Perhaps they assumed the VPOTUS would function as the POTUS’ prime minister and second-in-command in the executive branch,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=587) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=589)