# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=595 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 596 --- ## [Senator Obama, have you ever been a member of ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-obama-have-you-ever-been-a-member-of/467114)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-obama-have-you-ever-been-a-member-of/467114 "2008-10-10T15:22:19Z")
Yeah, before Bricker slaps us all for ignoring yet another news story, it bears noting that Team McCain may be going for the “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the New Socialist Party?” approach. (The party a… --- ## [Should companies be held accountable for dealing with oppressive regimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-companies-be-held-accountable-for-dealing-with-oppressive-regimes/467279)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-companies-be-held-accountable-for-dealing-with-oppressive-regimes/467279 "2008-10-10T15:05:09Z")
I was listening to a podcast on ethics earlier today, and the main speaker was advocating putting companies on trial for buying from dictators, charging the companies with receiving stolen property. He made the case pre… --- ## [Make the case for your candidate without mentioning the other ticket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-for-your-candidate-without-mentioning-the-other-ticket/467051)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-for-your-candidate-without-mentioning-the-other-ticket/467051 "2008-10-10T15:01:19Z")
In my heart I feel this is truly an IMHO, but if the thread gets any traction whatsodamnever I’m sure I’ll become a debate ere long. Anywhistle: here are the rules. Tell us why your candidates for US president should g… --- ## [If God answers medical prayers, then why do you need health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919 "2008-10-10T12:19:55Z")
From: http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/god6.htm If God answers medical prayers, then why do you need health insurance? Simply think it through. If what Jesus says about prayer in the Bible is true, and if all the sto… --- ## [McCain’s mortgage-buying proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-s-mortgage-buying-proposal/466987)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-s-mortgage-buying-proposal/466987 "2008-10-10T08:45:40Z")
McCain’s mortgage-buying proposal Pragmatics of the programme aside, is this idea something that is going to help or hurt him in the general election? While I can see many people favoring it, his base is composed of peo… --- ## [Memetics is also a bunch of hooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memetics-is-also-a-bunch-of-hooey/466070)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memetics-is-also-a-bunch-of-hooey/466070 "2008-10-10T06:13:49Z")
Before explaining why memetics is a bunch of hooey, we first must understand what a meme is. A meme is an idea. Nothing more, nothing less. That alone is well worth noting. When someone invents a fancy, new word to u… --- ## [Republican state win predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-state-win-predictions/467271)
**Author:** [@Maradona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maradona)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-state-win-predictions/467271 "2008-10-10T03:58:56Z")
I have read most of the political threads in GD and BBQ pit with regards to upcoming presidential election. The general idea that I get from reading those threads is that Obama is going to win but McCain is not without a… --- ## [Bubble-up economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bubble-up-economics/466481)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bubble-up-economics/466481 "2008-10-10T01:29:04Z")
AIUI the theory behind ‘trickle-down economics’ is that if money is given to the rich, they will invest it in business and stocks so that businesses can produce more products and hire more people to produce them. So the… --- ## [Is America on the verge of race riots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-on-the-verge-of-race-riots/467138)
**Author:** [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-on-the-verge-of-race-riots/467138 "2008-10-09T23:55:23Z")
Articles here (Washington Post) and here (Huffington Post). Whether or not the GOP is deliberately inciting it, more overtly racist language and acts at McCain campaign rallies are popping up in the news. Is it likely t… --- ## [ADF's Pulpit Initiative - Churches Challenge the IRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adfs-pulpit-initiative-churches-challenge-the-irs/465789)
**Author:** [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adfs-pulpit-initiative-churches-challenge-the-irs/465789 "2008-10-09T23:11:22Z")
Standard disclaimers apply: apologies if there is already a thread started on this that I missed, and please be gentle with me on my first GD OP. From here: Pastors To Preach Politics From The Pulpit : NPR And from th… --- ## [Is Biden responsible for the loose laws controlling Delaware credit card companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-responsible-for-the-loose-laws-controlling-delaware-credit-card-companies/466958)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-responsible-for-the-loose-laws-controlling-delaware-credit-card-companies/466958 "2008-10-09T22:50:15Z")
“Everyone knows” that the reason 9/10 of your credit card offers come with a Wilmington, Delaware return address is because Delaware has far fewer regulations than most states on credit card companies opperating out of t… --- ## [Arizona Prop 200: Payday loans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-prop-200-payday-loans/466473)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-prop-200-payday-loans/466473 "2008-10-09T22:42:48Z")
I’m voting NO on Arizona Prop 200, the so-called payday loan reform proposition. Here is the text of the ballot measure and arguments for and against it are at the bottom of the page. Still, the reason I’m voting NO ha… --- ## [Post-election, do y'all just love your Prez and get on with it or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-election-do-yall-just-love-your-prez-and-get-on-with-it-or-what/467187)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-election-do-yall-just-love-your-prez-and-get-on-with-it-or-what/467187 "2008-10-09T21:29:24Z")
I suppose I’m asking does the position of President engender respect amongst all or most American citizens or is it entirely down to the individual? Was Bush the President of Republican America etc? --- ## [Bailout - how soon to tell if it is working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bailout-how-soon-to-tell-if-it-is-working/467156)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bailout-how-soon-to-tell-if-it-is-working/467156 "2008-10-09T20:51:13Z")
From those more in the know than I, how soon will we know whether the US’s $near-trillion bailout is succeeding in ameliorating the financial crisis? What factors will allow us to say when - with any degree of confidenc… --- ## [20/20 hindsight: Pubs shoulda nominated Romney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-20-hindsight-pubs-shoulda-nominated-romney/466976)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-20-hindsight-pubs-shoulda-nominated-romney/466976 "2008-10-09T20:46:32Z")
As much ink has poured into pointing out how the economic disaster has benefitted Obama, it’s fairly amazing to me how much better Romney (with all his baggage) would be doing if the Pubs had nominated him. Of course, … --- ## [Have I missed McCain fear/terrorism ads, or is it being saved for the home stretch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-missed-mccain-fear-terrorism-ads-or-is-it-being-saved-for-the-home-stretch/467172)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-missed-mccain-fear-terrorism-ads-or-is-it-being-saved-for-the-home-stretch/467172 "2008-10-09T18:04:47Z")
Or was is simply not effective in 2004? I thought the wolves ad from 2004 was considered effective, whipping up fear of terrorism to the GOP’s advantage, so I’m surprised I haven’t seen anything similar. Could be I ju… --- ## [In search of the Goldilocks Bailout; Do we have to save all the banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-search-of-the-goldilocks-bailout-do-we-have-to-save-all-the-banks/467109)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-search-of-the-goldilocks-bailout-do-we-have-to-save-all-the-banks/467109 "2008-10-09T15:41:51Z")
It seems to me the taxpayers are getting a raw deal in buying up all the bad mortgages. If they pay the banks what the properties are worth today (pennies on the dollar) the banks will be no better off than if they kept… --- ## [Presidential Debate formats- your favorites and your own](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-debate-formats-your-favorites-and-your-own/467065)
**Author:** [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-debate-formats-your-favorites-and-your-own/467065 "2008-10-09T14:06:25Z")
Having read the rules prior to the debate last night, I was not expecting to much from it, and for a while it was living up to those expectations. However, once Obama and McCain started insisting on followups, despite Br… --- ## [Financial Armageddon for Dummies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/financial-armageddon-for-dummies/465953)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/financial-armageddon-for-dummies/465953 "2008-10-09T09:33:40Z")
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the nature of the crisis that is consuming our financial markets. I thought to start this thread to clear some of this up. What are we dealing with is something called a “cred… --- ## [Why Do Humans find Symmetry pleasing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-find-symmetry-pleasing/467026)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-find-symmetry-pleasing/467026 "2008-10-09T07:11:59Z")
Is it hardwired into our genes? I have noticed that I like houses that have some degree of symmetry. On the other hand, architects like HH Richardson and FL Wright have used a little bit of asymmetry, which looks good to… --- ## [Is The American "Melting Pot" Unique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-american-melting-pot-unique/466445)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-american-melting-pot-unique/466445 "2008-10-09T05:32:01Z")
I live and work with a lot of people who are either 1st or 2nd generation immigrants-from countries like Brazil, Italy, Canada, India, etc. all of these people seem to be well on the way to assimilation-the Indian Ph.D.'… --- ## [The SDMB Privacy Amendment (US Constitution)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-privacy-amendment-us-constitution/466343)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-privacy-amendment-us-constitution/466343 "2008-10-09T01:30:58Z")
Over here, Dangerosa, a liberal, and Bricker, one of our more prominent conservatives, sort of proposed a Constitional amendment clearly setting down the right to privacy vaguely hinted at in the 4th, 9th and 14th Amendm… --- ## [Obama wins, economy tanks. Is it worth it? (hypothetical)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-economy-tanks-is-it-worth-it-hypothetical/466847)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-economy-tanks-is-it-worth-it-hypothetical/466847 "2008-10-09T01:23:38Z")
As various polls show Obama pulling ahead of McCain while the U.S. (and possibly the world) economy tanks, I am left wondering: would it be worth having a President who actually stands for what I stand for, if it means t… --- ## [If There Is Global Warming . . . Why The Aversion To A Technological Fix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-global-warming-why-the-aversion-to-a-technological-fix/463486)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-global-warming-why-the-aversion-to-a-technological-fix/463486 "2008-10-09T00:23:38Z")
Okay, I still don’t a hundred percent buy man-made global warming. But that’s not this thread. And okay, I agree that reducing hydrocarbon use could be called a technological fix (but not here to debate that either). W… --- ## [Would you lie to donate blood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-lie-to-donate-blood/466148)
**Author:** [@Punintentional](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punintentional)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-lie-to-donate-blood/466148 "2008-10-08T21:47:49Z")
(This may belong in IMHO, im not sure!) Im a male who used to donate blood regularly, i got my first piercing so had to delay donating for 12 months, but during that 12 months i started having protected sex with men. B… --- ## [Are Slots a Net Benefit to Communities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-slots-a-net-benefit-to-communities/466954)
**Author:** [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-slots-a-net-benefit-to-communities/466954 "2008-10-08T21:35:17Z")
I’m a Maryland voter. On the big-ticket issues I’ve already made up my mind, but on “Question 2” I’m undecided. Maryland wants to introduce legalized slots gambling to the failing horse-racing industry. The funds will… --- ## [One question I would like someone to ask during the debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-question-i-would-like-someone-to-ask-during-the-debate/466886)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-question-i-would-like-someone-to-ask-during-the-debate/466886 "2008-10-08T19:27:31Z")
PEACE-NIK IN THE AUDIENCE: Senator McCain, based on the propensity of Republican Presidents to engage the country in wars, and seeing as fewer and fewer are joining the military, do you favor the reinstitution of the dra… --- ## [Arizona propositions - Your opinion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-propositions-your-opinion/466900)
**Author:** [@rainwalker78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainwalker78)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-propositions-your-opinion/466900 "2008-10-08T18:48:57Z")
I just got my early voting materials and trying to make a few final voting decisions. I was hoping some of my fellow Arizonions would give their thoughts on the propositions we are to vote on on the election. Not so much… --- ## [If China's financial industry goes in the tank like ours...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-chinas-financial-industry-goes-in-the-tank-like-ours/466705)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-chinas-financial-industry-goes-in-the-tank-like-ours/466705 "2008-10-08T18:39:21Z")
…might they call in our loans. And if they - and others - do, what happens next? (I put this question here because there seems nowhere else for it. Looking for info moreso than debate.) --- ## [The Liberal Mass Media myth.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-liberal-mass-media-myth/466383)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-liberal-mass-media-myth/466383 "2008-10-08T16:20:37Z")
Conservatives are constantly bellyaching about the LMM. I’ve watched news programs on all the networks, and haven’t witnessed any outright liberal leanings in their news reporting. Well, 60 Minutes is sometimes slightly … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=594) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=596)