# Good presidential debate questions for Romney/Ryan **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 13, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407 "2012-08-13T21:05:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/41 "2012-08-17T19:19:41Z")
For Rep. Paul Ryan: Are you proud of the accomplishments of the House of Representatives since Republicans assumed leadership in 2011? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/42 "2012-08-18T01:40:40Z")
How do you reconcile your supposed concern about the budget deficit with your unwillingness to cut a single penny from military funding? Who would you appoint as Fed chairman? Do you support President Obama’s policy of military posturing in the Asia-Pacific region? ---
**Author:** ![TheSlapIsBack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@TheSlapIsBack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSlapIsBack)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/43 "2012-08-19T15:08:53Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > What would you, personally, want done with a 13-year-old rape victim carrying the brain-damaged babies of her syphillitic rapist? > > Followup– > No, seriously, answer the fucking question I asked you, instead of giving me a lot of diversionary, digressive doubletalk and generalities. This case, do you want this child to carry the babies to term? Yes or no? I wonder if the response would be anymore rational or coherent than an Obama answer to his position on gay marriage. Evolution of thought is not an acceptable answer either. Youre 50 years old. What took you so long… was it political expediency… Works both ways dude ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/44 "2012-08-19T15:22:17Z")
Rep. Ryan, in 2002 you said, “[You have to spend a little to grow a little](http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_f99faa8c-bc03-5870-a360-58a4f7213ea0.html#ixzz1Y2nP86sE). What we’re trying to do is stimulate that part of the economy that’s on its back.” Do you still support government stimulus as a means to create jobs and grow the economy? If not, why not? ---
**Author:** ![ry714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@ry714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ry714)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/45 "2012-09-02T15:02:31Z")
If you say you are a true American. Are you willing to step outside of your Republican Party to help all Americans? If so are you willing to stop the Republican Party from destroying the American dream from the middle class? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/46 "2012-09-02T16:32:52Z")
Mr. Romney: It is a known fact that America having another Republican President is unacceptable. How do you steel yourself to get out of bed every morning, with the knowledge that you are actively trying to cause an unacceptable thing to happen to our country? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/47 "2012-09-03T14:16:57Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Let’s try to keep the questions semi-serious and realistic, please. Like these? > [@ry714](#): > > If you say you are a true American. Are you willing to step outside of your Republican Party to help all Americans? If so are you willing to stop the Republican Party from destroying the American dream from the middle class? > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Mr. Romney: It is a known fact that America having another Republican President is unacceptable. How do you steel yourself to get out of bed every morning, with the knowledge that you are actively trying to cause an unacceptable thing to happen to our country? ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/48 "2012-09-03T14:37:33Z")
How do exactly do you make jobs, and if it is so simple, why does any country have high unemployment? ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/49 "2012-09-03T17:10:58Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > What are some good questions to ask MItt Romney and Paul Ryan in the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates? You get to ask one question, with one follow up. > > One I would like answered is as follows: > > **“The debt and the deficit appear to be major themes in your campaign. Do you think reducing the federal deficit and the national debt will require more sacrifice from all Americans?”** > > followed by, > > **"If so, what sacrifices will be made by those earning more than $250,000 per year?** > > Let’s try to keep the questions semi-serious and realistic, please. If someone would like to start a similar thread for Obama/Biden, that would be the place for questions for the Democratic ticket. I don’t know why this thread couldn’t be for both sides. For example: What steps can the president take to lower the cost of energy in both the short and long terms? What steps short of military action should be taken by the USA to lessen tensions in the Middle East, especially with regard to the civil war in Syria and the development of nuclear weapons by Iran? What foreign policy initiatives would be useful in helping both the US and world economies? Are any environmental disasters likely to happen within the next 100 years? If so, what should be done about them now? What steps should be taken in education to make America more competitive in the world economy? If you were to lose this election, would you want the members of your party in the US Senate to obstruct judicial appointments made by your opponent? \ ***There are many more questions that should be asked of each. I rather doubt we’d get too many straight answers.** ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/50 "2012-09-03T17:55:12Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > I don’t know why this thread couldn’t be for both sides. Because I started the thread, and I want it that way. You are under no obligation to conform to my wishes. But that’s why. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/51 "2012-09-17T23:33:04Z")
Mitt Romney, you recently repeated the factoid that 47% of Amercian households pay no income tax. Since 30% of those who pay no income tax are retirees living on Social Security and savings, do you favor taxing Social Security benefits so they have skin in the game? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/52 "2012-09-17T23:48:37Z")
Social Security benefits are taxable if you make more than $32k as a couple or $25k as an individual. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/53 "2012-09-18T00:19:21Z")
I would amend my question: Do you favor taxing Social Security benefits for retirees currently paying none, so they have skin in the game? ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/54 "2012-09-18T00:47:02Z")
A question for both Mr President and Mr Romney: Please detail how you would budget your money if supporting a family of four on a $35,000 salary. Followup: Please specify exactly how, if elected, you will improve the lives of people living in those circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/55 "2012-09-18T01:02:24Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > A question for both Mr President and Mr Romney: Please detail how you would budget your money if supporting a family of four on a $35,000 salary. > > Followup: Please specify exactly how, if elected, you will improve the lives of people living in those circumstances. You can get a lot of good meals out of a horse. ---
**Author:** ![stw004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@stw004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stw004)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/56 "2012-09-18T01:04:51Z")
If you are elected President, will Mitt Romney’s net rate of taxes paid increase or decrease? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/57 "2012-09-18T15:15:12Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > What steps short of military action should be taken by the USA to lessen tensions in the Middle East, especially with regard to the civil war in Syria and the development of nuclear weapons by Iran? Romney (who has some of Bush’s foreign policy advisers on his staff) has already stated that he would supply arms to Syria. My question: Given your promises of cutting back on government spending, how do you reconcile your aim to spend $2 trillion on military spending over the next ten years and untold billions to arm Syrian rebels, not to mention your stated policy of a preemptive strike on Iran, while at the same time cutting taxes and cutting aid to your own citizens? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407/58 "2012-09-18T15:51:29Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I would amend my question: Do you favor taxing Social Security benefits for retirees currently paying none, so they have skin in the game? Perhaps a simpler better question would be: Mr. Romney, do you favor a tax increase on the 47% of households who currently pay no income tax? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407.md?page=2)