# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=96 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 97 --- ## ["It should be classified as illegal, but shouldn't be treated as illegal."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-should-be-classified-as-illegal-but-shouldnt-be-treated-as-illegal/811663)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-should-be-classified-as-illegal-but-shouldnt-be-treated-as-illegal/811663 "2018-04-20T16:38:21Z")
In the illegal-immigration debate, there are relatively few people who call for unrestricted immigration and say that America should literally allow anyone who wants to cross the border, to cross, entirely unimpeded. Eve… --- ## [Should we raise the EITC instead of the Minimum Wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-eitc-instead-of-the-minimum-wage/812633)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-eitc-instead-of-the-minimum-wage/812633 "2018-04-19T21:02:11Z")
The Earned Income Tax Credit helps lift up the poor without shifting the burden on employers who hire lower skilled workers. I propose that we significantly expand the EITC to combat poverty. Unlike a $15 an hour minimum… --- ## [Sexual Assault - We need to expand the vocabulary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-assault-we-need-to-expand-the-vocabulary/803905)
**Author:** [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-assault-we-need-to-expand-the-vocabulary/803905 "2018-04-19T19:04:02Z")
As a male, I find that the current reporting of “Sexual Assault” to be somewhat confusing. It is not the reporting itself, instead I find the discussions and dialog and accusations and admissions suffer from the limited… --- ## [Are the elites blackmailing Trump now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-elites-blackmailing-trump-now/812348)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-elites-blackmailing-trump-now/812348 "2018-04-18T04:32:32Z")
Trump’s attorneys office got raided. Now suddenly he indicates he wants back in to the TPP talks. And he is talking about retaliating against Assad for a chemical weapons attack which it would have made no sense for Assa… --- ## [The US is irrevocably losing influence in the Middle East. What are the consequences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-irrevocably-losing-influence-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-consequences/812255)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-irrevocably-losing-influence-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-consequences/812255 "2018-04-18T02:51:56Z")
Irrespective of whether Russia or China immediately overtake and replace the US as the dominant Middle Eastern power in the area known as the “Middle East” (i.e. the Arab/Persian/Turkish world), it is clear that the tren… --- ## [How do libertarians deal with inelastic demand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-libertarians-deal-with-inelastic-demand/811662)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-libertarians-deal-with-inelastic-demand/811662 "2018-04-17T23:12:49Z")
Inelastic demand is, for those who do not know: It takes a really high gas price before most people will curb their travel habits or replace their vehicle with one that has better mileage. But forgetting about gas, wh… --- ## [Trump kills the TPP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-kills-the-tpp/778018)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-kills-the-tpp/778018 "2018-04-17T21:58:42Z")
Trump kills the TPP I think it’s the right move but I was taken aback to see that Bernie Sanders highly approved of Trump’s decision and offered his support and that Hillary Clinton during the campaign was also in favo… --- ## [self driving car meets menacing gang](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-car-meets-menacing-gang/811819)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-car-meets-menacing-gang/811819 "2018-04-17T16:33:19Z")
Suppose all manual controls are removed from self driving cars in the future. A menacing gang surrounds a self driving car, and its algorithm tells it to stop, as it is programmed to not hit pedestrians. The occupants of… --- ## [Should we make all kids go to Public schools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-make-all-kids-go-to-public-schools/812043)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-make-all-kids-go-to-public-schools/812043 "2018-04-16T22:21:11Z")
Teachers across the country are upset they’re wages are so low, with increasing cost of housing due to inflated prices from urbanization and chinese billionaires buying our real estate some teachers are spending over hal… --- ## [Do the Korean vehicles made by KIA have trouble selling in the US because of its name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-korean-vehicles-made-by-kia-have-trouble-selling-in-the-us-because-of-its-name/812047)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-korean-vehicles-made-by-kia-have-trouble-selling-in-the-us-because-of-its-name/812047 "2018-04-16T00:10:17Z")
Its name reminds me of the problems that Chevrolet had in selling its NOVA in Latin America… or is that just a legend? No va = it doesn’t go. KIA = killed in action --- ## [Evaluate this gold/silver investment strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaluate-this-gold-silver-investment-strategy/810556)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaluate-this-gold-silver-investment-strategy/810556 "2018-04-15T21:53:33Z")
I put this in GD since it will lend itself more to debate than factual answers. The idea is that silver is trading at price that is a ratio of 1/80 to golds price where it normally trades at a 1/60. Someone suggested t… --- ## [I dislike people misusing the context of certain word choices and claiming it's pedophilia.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dislike-people-misusing-the-context-of-certain-word-choices-and-claiming-its-pedophilia/812316)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dislike-people-misusing-the-context-of-certain-word-choices-and-claiming-its-pedophilia/812316 "2018-04-15T13:56:56Z")
So recently I came across a tweet that was rather disheartening. Republican Rep. John Carter made the statement “a lot of attractive children are not making it to the border” and the tweet was intentionally implying wha… --- ## [Legal Implications of Pres. Trump's Lawyer Being Searched?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-implications-of-pres-trumps-lawyer-being-searched/812313)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-implications-of-pres-trumps-lawyer-being-searched/812313 "2018-04-15T10:57:21Z")
In the independent counsel’s investigation of President Trump, his lawyer’s office was recently searched. It is a widely known story. I don’t think I need a cite. But this brings up some troubling constitutional Implica… --- ## [Subsistence based vs growth based economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsistence-based-vs-growth-based-economy/812314)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsistence-based-vs-growth-based-economy/812314 "2018-04-15T04:29:21Z")
We live in an era of absurd and completely unnecessary overproduction and consumerism. A subsistence based economic model is a far better alternative to a growth based economical model, which has now been imposed on the … --- ## [Does Article II, Section 2 of US Constitution allow the President to attack Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-article-ii-section-2-of-us-constitution-allow-the-president-to-attack-syria/812379)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-article-ii-section-2-of-us-constitution-allow-the-president-to-attack-syria/812379 "2018-04-15T01:07:56Z")
If the president does not have to go through congress but simply notify them 42 hours ahead of time that he is going to blow someone up, then what is the point of even having congress be the ones to formally declare war … --- ## [Why do religious people try to prove God exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-religious-people-try-to-prove-god-exists/811895)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 312\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-religious-people-try-to-prove-god-exists/811895 "2018-04-14T00:03:15Z")
The title pretty much says it all. One of the key aspects of religion is that it requires FAITH. Faith is defined as belief in the absence of evidence or proof. So why is it that so many devout people are constantly … --- ## [National boarder walls and animal habitats and migrations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-boarder-walls-and-animal-habitats-and-migrations/812360)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-boarder-walls-and-animal-habitats-and-migrations/812360 "2018-04-13T20:58:25Z")
Inspired by the Wall Trump wants us to build, but not limited to that. What is the expected effect on wildlife and what has been the effect of other projects? Did the great wall of China cause or suspected to cause any… --- ## [If his soldiers had been willing is it feasible that Alexander could have conquered China & SE Asia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-his-soldiers-had-been-willing-is-it-feasible-that-alexander-could-have-conquered-china-se-asia/812177)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-his-soldiers-had-been-willing-is-it-feasible-that-alexander-could-have-conquered-china-se-asia/812177 "2018-04-12T20:40:03Z")
It’s incredible enough that Alexander the Great and the Macedonians subdued the immense swathes of territory that they did but if he’d had the support of his troops could he have pushed all the way to the Pacific Ocean a… --- ## [What sectors of our economy should or should not be included in the concept of National Security.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sectors-of-our-economy-should-or-should-not-be-included-in-the-concept-of-national-security/812159)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sectors-of-our-economy-should-or-should-not-be-included-in-the-concept-of-national-security/812159 "2018-04-12T17:43:14Z")
A story I just heard on NPR got me thinking. It detailed some of the changes that the current Administration has made and announcements and policies it has enacted based on the idea that certain sectors of our economy a… --- ## [Larry Krasner: What justice looks like](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-krasner-what-justice-looks-like/811613)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-krasner-what-justice-looks-like/811613 "2018-04-10T21:33:33Z")
The new district attorney of Philadelphia, Larry Krasner, shows what reform of the justice system means: Take a look at his unprecedented memorandum, which begins “These policies are an effort to end mass incarcerati… --- ## [Social Credit System...can you imagine this working in your country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-credit-system-can-you-imagine-this-working-in-your-country/811829)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-credit-system-can-you-imagine-this-working-in-your-country/811829 "2018-04-10T14:00:00Z")
Based on this YouTube video, though you don’t need to watch it if you don’t want to. The question is basically that asked by one of the channel’s associates at the end of the video. The video asks Chinese citizens what… --- ## [Extensive Data Shows Punishing Reach of Racism for Black Boys (NYT article)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extensive-data-shows-punishing-reach-of-racism-for-black-boys-nyt-article/811722)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extensive-data-shows-punishing-reach-of-racism-for-black-boys-nyt-article/811722 "2018-04-08T22:30:27Z")
It took me a couple of weeks to get to this, but wow. I hadn’t seen the data laid out this way. Some of it was probably not particularly surprising – black kids are far less likely to start out at higher incomes, and… --- ## [Does quantum mechanics debunk materialism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-quantum-mechanics-debunk-materialism/811782)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-quantum-mechanics-debunk-materialism/811782 "2018-04-08T19:43:36Z")
I have seen answers ranging from “yes it does” to “only the outdated form of materialism”. It seems like many wooish sites are trying to use quantum mechanics to advance their own doctrines, but I’m not sure about that. … --- ## [Do boycotts still work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-boycotts-still-work/811899)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-boycotts-still-work/811899 "2018-04-08T01:45:57Z")
Man, a lot of talk about boycotts lately. Jesse Jackson talking about boycotting Kroger; conservatives talking about boycotting the NFL; people calling for boycotts of businesses that do business with the NRA; Amazon; Fa… --- ## [When should a person have the right to drive thru a crowd of demonstrators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-a-person-have-the-right-to-drive-thru-a-crowd-of-demonstrators/811732)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 368\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-a-person-have-the-right-to-drive-thru-a-crowd-of-demonstrators/811732 "2018-04-08T00:21:41Z")
This issue has come up as some republican lawmakers have started legislation designed not to protect drivers who hit demonstrators - LINK. What do you all think? Personally I think what is needed is a clarification of … --- ## [Should universities focus more on programs that lead to specific career goals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-focus-more-on-programs-that-lead-to-specific-career-goals/811018)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-focus-more-on-programs-that-lead-to-specific-career-goals/811018 "2018-04-08T00:15:31Z")
THIS is an interesting article where The University of Wisconsin wants to drop several liberal arts majors like say english, history, and philosophy, and instead focus on areas with clear career paths. Paths either in de… --- ## [Is power an aphrodisiac?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-power-an-aphrodisiac/811643)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-power-an-aphrodisiac/811643 "2018-04-07T21:49:53Z")
Looking online for the source of the well known quote, I actually found two: Napolean Bonaparte: “\[Women\] belong to the highest bidder. Power is what they like - it is the greatest of all aphrodisiacs.” Henry Kissinger… --- ## [Are there portions of Christianity who don't believe in the Resurrection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-portions-of-christianity-who-dont-believe-in-the-resurrection/811514)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-portions-of-christianity-who-dont-believe-in-the-resurrection/811514 "2018-04-07T17:43:29Z")
And what are they called? Cause that part just seems so tacked on to me. “Then he rose…taught some and left after an unknown period of time” Kinda abrupt. --- ## [I seriously doubt we live a single existence with infinite "nothing" on either side](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seriously-doubt-we-live-a-single-existence-with-infinite-nothing-on-either-side/811233)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seriously-doubt-we-live-a-single-existence-with-infinite-nothing-on-either-side/811233 "2018-04-07T13:46:14Z")
This seems to be the sensible “default” rational assumption, but in my view it is quite false. It gives too transitory a view of existence. As if one does not exist for eons, then, suddenly, one exists, but only for a bl… --- ## [From a realpolitik POV, why does the North Korean regime let their people starve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-realpolitik-pov-why-does-the-north-korean-regime-let-their-people-starve/811853)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2018, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-realpolitik-pov-why-does-the-north-korean-regime-let-their-people-starve/811853 "2018-04-07T06:36:34Z")
I’m not asking from a humanitarian POV, because the North Korean regime is evil. I’m asking from a strictly selfish (to the regime) reason. For one thing, arguably the major thing, malnutrition vastly reduces physical a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=95) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=97)