# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=808 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 809 --- ## [What are the long term dangers of consumer debt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-long-term-dangers-of-consumer-debt/346174)
**Author:** [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-long-term-dangers-of-consumer-debt/346174 "2006-02-28T19:39:15Z")
I’ve read that Americans spend 105% of what they earn, and that consumer debt in this country is out of control. While it’s easy to see how this will make for bleak futures for the individuals who spend recklessly and do… --- ## [Is this "just" emergence, or is there more to this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-just-emergence-or-is-there-more-to-this/346191)
**Author:** [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-just-emergence-or-is-there-more-to-this/346191 "2006-02-28T18:31:44Z")
(This is similar to another post I made on GD, but I didn’t get much response. I’m hoping for more here in GQ. My apologies for the re-run) At certain points within the universe’s history, it seems to me that matter h… --- ## [People of low intelligence should not be allowed to vote.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-low-intelligence-should-not-be-allowed-to-vote/346131)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-low-intelligence-should-not-be-allowed-to-vote/346131 "2006-02-28T17:51:13Z")
Based on a post by Shagnasty in this thread; \[QUOTE=Shagnasty\] To me, the thought of a relatively pure democracy is a scary thing. Half the people have at or below median intelligence, those of any intelligence may be … --- ## [So, the South Dakota thing, what happens next](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-south-dakota-thing-what-happens-next/346106)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-south-dakota-thing-what-happens-next/346106 "2006-02-28T17:37:24Z")
OK, my abandoned home state of South Dakota has wasted no time in taking advantage of the Supreme Court’s rightward shift and has proposed a ban to nearly all abortion. What happens now? Somebody challenges it, works … --- ## [By what process do we justify anything to ourselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-process-do-we-justify-anything-to-ourselves/345819)
**Author:** [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-process-do-we-justify-anything-to-ourselves/345819 "2006-02-28T17:00:43Z")
A lot of different thought processes and other threads on this board have led me to create this topic, namely, the pet-care thread in IMHO and the foodie thread here. By what process do people justify the spending of mon… --- ## [Ask the man who's having a religious experience RIGHT NOW!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-man-whos-having-a-religious-experience-right-now/346440)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-man-whos-having-a-religious-experience-right-now/346440 "2006-02-28T16:59:30Z")
Praise Jesus!!! Praise the Buddha!!! Praise ALL that is holy! Praise ALL that is evil! NO ONE has EVER felt like this before! Everything is LOVE to me! Everything is so painfully, agonizingly BEAUTIFUL that I can’t… --- ## [What should be done with Selective Service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-with-selective-service/346274)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-with-selective-service/346274 "2006-02-28T16:43:15Z")
Should the Selective Service System (and mandatory draft registration) be abolished or drastically reformed (make women register, make it optional, etc)? It’s highly unlikely a draft will ever be reinstated; what’s the… --- ## [How Long Can Most Nations Expect to Last??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-most-nations-expect-to-last/346422)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-most-nations-expect-to-last/346422 "2006-02-28T15:13:25Z")
Is there any kind of an upper limit (in years for example) in which a “fairly stable” nation can expect to still exist (as measured by political scientists or whoever else studies this kind of thing?) For example, can t… --- ## [Impeach Bush!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-bush/346224)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-bush/346224 "2006-02-28T15:09:58Z")
Recently, in this thread, Whack-a-Mole provided me with this link, showing the most compelling arguements for impeaching Bush (thanks Whack-a-Mole :)). Though I realize that this subject has been done numerous times, b… --- ## [Define guidelines for legal torture in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-guidelines-for-legal-torture-in-the-us/346198)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-guidelines-for-legal-torture-in-the-us/346198 "2006-02-28T13:49:39Z")
Suppose the political climate in America changed enough that Congress and the courts agreed to allow torture of criminals and terror suspects under very specific circumstances. Further suppose that a five-member commiss… --- ## [What should children of today learn in school and from parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-children-of-today-learn-in-school-and-from-parents/346245)
**Author:** [@filemat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filemat)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-children-of-today-learn-in-school-and-from-parents/346245 "2006-02-28T12:40:42Z")
The best goddam education to ensure a potentially fantastic future for a child, career wise but also to be a balanced individual - what does it include? Here are some areas I came up with: Stimulate a desire to learn a… --- ## [For pro choice folks, Is abortion "bad"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-pro-choice-folks-is-abortion-bad/346214)
**Author:** [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-pro-choice-folks-is-abortion-bad/346214 "2006-02-28T04:18:05Z")
Although this is sort of “poll-ish”, the nature of the topic suggests GD to me. If this belongs in IMHO, that’s fine with me. For the purposes of this topic, look beyond what’s happening in South Dakota, and what happen… --- ## [Is Capitalism the Only Game In Town for the Future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-capitalism-the-only-game-in-town-for-the-future/345714)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-capitalism-the-only-game-in-town-for-the-future/345714 "2006-02-28T00:10:12Z")
People seem to refer to capitalism, communism, socialism etc. as if they are alternate strategies for the economies and the social underpinnings that go with that. My thesis is that capitalism is not one alternative of m… --- ## [An Alcoholic Quandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alcoholic-quandry/345866)
**Author:** [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alcoholic-quandry/345866 "2006-02-27T23:21:22Z")
Say you are a recovering alcoholic. Your drinkings days saw you in legal, financial, medial and marital trouble Spent years fighting the terrible addiction and got your act together and pieced together many happy sober… --- ## [Background to/motivation of these claims that US is "not a democracy but a republic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-to-motivation-of-these-claims-that-us-is-not-a-democracy-but-a-republic/346119)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-to-motivation-of-these-claims-that-us-is-not-a-democracy-but-a-republic/346119 "2006-02-27T22:51:14Z")
One topic that I see cropping up on this board fairly regularly is the assertion that “the United States are not a democracy but a republic” (the most recent thread is here). This thread is not about whether that assert… --- ## [What will civil war mean for US troops in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-civil-war-mean-for-us-troops-in-iraq/345827)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-civil-war-mean-for-us-troops-in-iraq/345827 "2006-02-27T22:11:37Z")
With the increase of violence between Shiite/Sunni and possibly the Kurds what will a full blown civil war mean for the US troops in Iraq? Will they pull back to bases? Try to separate the different factions, at a great… --- ## [A philosophical question inspired by Sudoku](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-philosophical-question-inspired-by-sudoku/345447)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-philosophical-question-inspired-by-sudoku/345447 "2006-02-27T17:34:17Z")
When I started doing Sudoku puzzles from my local newspaper, I just filled in what numbers I could on the page. I learned to solve the easier ones this way but the harder ones defeated me. So I looked up more advanced Su… --- ## [Is smoking while driving really dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-while-driving-really-dangerous/344666)
**Author:** [@Werd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werd)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-while-driving-really-dangerous/344666 "2006-02-27T16:33:23Z")
I thought I would bring this up to tie in with Cecil’s thread “Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous?”. In many states it’s against the law to use your cell while driving but lighting, smoking and tending to a ciga… --- ## [North Korean Communism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korean-communism/346118)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korean-communism/346118 "2006-02-27T12:34:55Z")
Is communism as it is practised today in North Korea just for internal use only, or do they work to export it to other countries (as the former Soviet Union did, as in world revolution?) --- ## [What would happen if it was discovered that a president rigged an election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-it-was-discovered-that-a-president-rigged-an-election/345837)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-it-was-discovered-that-a-president-rigged-an-election/345837 "2006-02-27T01:28:36Z")
What would happen if, seven years into his two terms, it was discovered that the current US president had rigged the previous two presidential elections in his favor, and that it could be determined that the real winner … --- ## [The Supreme Court, rights, liberty, et al](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-rights-liberty-et-al/346113)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-rights-liberty-et-al/346113 "2006-02-26T19:03:58Z")
Putting this in GD since it’s a little too broad for GQ. As the recent actions in South Dakato bring up the Roe vs Wade argument for the umpteenth time, I decided I need some background info about the whole subject of wh… --- ## [Am I a psychopath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-psychopath/346075)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-psychopath/346075 "2006-02-26T16:19:24Z")
In conversation, I opined that I would like to introduce Fred Phelps to the business end of an acetylene torch. Freind opined that if I really meant that, it would make me a sadistic psychopath. What do you think? Let … --- ## [Saddam on a hunger strike?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-on-a-hunger-strike/344561)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-on-a-hunger-strike/344561 "2006-02-26T16:11:07Z")
I see where Saddam Hussein is going on a hunger strike! (Will Ramsey Clark join him?) Will Saddam be getting his just desserts? Hell with them! A pox on both their houses!!! --- ## [Is it time for a REAL Independent party in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-a-real-independent-party-in-the-us/345946)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-a-real-independent-party-in-the-us/345946 "2006-02-26T04:20:06Z")
I know…there already is an Independent party out there. And there is a rag tag collection of other third parties hanging out and getting their usual 1% of the vote. No one will vote for a third party because the two ma… --- ## [Are soldiers in Iraq really protecting our freedoms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-soldiers-in-iraq-really-protecting-our-freedoms/346065)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-soldiers-in-iraq-really-protecting-our-freedoms/346065 "2006-02-26T04:12:41Z")
Whenever I read an article or hear a news story about soldiers in Iraq and something along the lines of “They’re protecting our freedoms” I admit it makes me wince a little. Are soldiers in Iraq really protecting any fr… --- ## [Civilized Prisons, Anyone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilized-prisons-anyone/344936)
**Author:** [@intention](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/intention)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilized-prisons-anyone/344936 "2006-02-25T18:19:00Z")
I think all confinement should be solitary confinement. Let me give some reasons. First, if I was in prison, would I rather be locked in with a 265 pound guy whose eyes spin like pinwheels, and whose amatory intentions … --- ## [The End of Neoconservatism? (Fukuyama article)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-neoconservatism-fukuyama-article/345530)
**Author:** [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-neoconservatism-fukuyama-article/345530 "2006-02-25T01:56:22Z")
Conservative historian Francis “The End of History” Fukuyama has published an article in last Sunday’s New York Times Magazine entitled “After Neoconservatism”. His basic theme seems to be that neoconservatism has discr… --- ## [Is there a "Crime Tax' built In To Retail prices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-crime-tax-built-in-to-retail-prices/345637)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2006, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-crime-tax-built-in-to-retail-prices/345637 "2006-02-24T23:50:38Z")
I walked in to a local downtown drug store-it was part of a nationwide drug chain. I was surprised to find things SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than in their suburban location, near my home. For example-a candy bar that… --- ## [Adultescents and kidults and twixters - Oh My!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adultescents-and-kidults-and-twixters-oh-my/345478)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adultescents-and-kidults-and-twixters-oh-my/345478 "2006-02-24T21:51:51Z")
There is a growing trend for kids to stay at home longer, i.e. kids wait until a later age before leaving their parents’ home to venture out on their own as adults. The period of time - between when they used to leave a… --- ## [Are Present African Nations "Artificial"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-present-african-nations-artificial/345759)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-present-african-nations-artificial/345759 "2006-02-24T18:47:08Z")
Are many of the nations of Africa still more or less within their old (Western-drawn) colonial boundries? In other words, if African national borders were redrawn according to what the people of Africa themselves consid… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=807) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=809)