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1500 questions
54
votes
6 answers
Why do members of Congress in committee hearings ask witnesses the same question multiple times?
I must've seen at least 3 Congressmen ask Michael Cohen, President Trump's former personal attorney, who Individual 1 was, despite the fact that in the beginning he had already said it was Donald Trump, and despite the fact that previous members had…
user541686
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54
votes
8 answers
What is the logic behind forbidding LGBT conversion therapies?
I am very pro-LGBT, however I have never understood the logic behind wanting to forbid voluntary conversion therapies, as many of my fellow peers do believe is a good idea.
Why?
If somebody, whether that somebody is gay or straight or trans or bi…
Ballly
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54
votes
12 answers
Why is US rail passenger transportation less important than in other countries?
Reading this article about the fastest trains in the world, I found no US train. This makes sense since high speed rails is quite limited:
(..) Amtrak's Acela Express (reaching 150 mph (240 km/h)) (..)
Also, rail transportation as whole became…
Alexei
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53
votes
6 answers
What does a lobbyist offer a politician?
My understanding is that lobbyists meet with politicians, ideally face-to-face, and try to persuade them to vote this way or that way. Lobbying is regulated to prevent outright bribery, so a lobbyist cannot offer a politician a million bucks to vote…
user45152
53
votes
4 answers
What does Putin/Russia gain from only accepting payment for gas in Rubles?
Yesterday, Vladimir Putin announced that "unfriendly" countries would need to pay for Russian gas in Rubles in the near future. The news came with speculation that this is a move to prop up the falling value of the Ruble, that affected countries…
arne.b
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53
votes
5 answers
Why did the US military leave Afghanistan in such a rush that they left so much equipment behind?
One would think that if the US military were to leave Afghanistan, they would surely take any equipment that might fall into the wrong hands, especially since there were reports that the "wrong hands" would take over after the fall of the Afghan…
prata
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53
votes
5 answers
Why is it that an American in Timbuktu can vote for president but an American in San Juan cannot?
I was surprised to learn that Puerto Ricans, despite living in a US territory, were not entitled to vote in the presidential elections.
I was even more surprised to learn that US citizens are allowed to vote for president from anywhere in the world…
CodyBugstein
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53
votes
10 answers
Seen from Europe, why is there a hard separation between Republicans and Democrats in the US?
I live in Germany, and it seems completely strange to see a stable separation between Republicans and Democrats, and even somewhat near half of the votes for each.
I see that the number of two parties is based on the method of voting. But is that…
Volker Siegel
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53
votes
8 answers
Why would Climate activists disrupt public transport?
I woke up today to reports that climate activists have disrupted public transport in my home…
Robert3452
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53
votes
3 answers
Why did Israel vote against lifting the American embargo on Cuba?
Every single country in the world except for the United States and Israel voted for the United States to end the embargo on Cuba.
My question is, why Israel? Many of the nations on this list are allies of the US, but why does only Israel support…
Koru
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53
votes
4 answers
What do hard-Brexiteers want with respect to the Irish border?
Hard-Brexiteers would like the UK to have a "clean break" with the EU, and in particular they don't want any part of the UK to stay even temporarily in the customs union (the so-called backstop).
This "clean break" would normally require a hard…
Erwan
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53
votes
13 answers
Why does partisanship trump concerns about hypocrisy with voters?
Politicians are routinely hypocritical in support of partisan ends.
I'll provide a few examples to demonstrate what I mean:
When their party's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court is facing confirmation, they insist that every candidate should…
ohwilleke
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53
votes
4 answers
Why did political parties form in the United States?
In George Washington's "Farewell Address", the first President specifically warns about the dangers of political parties. He admits that people tend to naturally align in groups, but also warns that political parties and bias can weaken the…
MissouriSpartan
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53
votes
8 answers
Why is the USA able to damage the Russian economy by imposing sanctions but Russia can't do the same?
Why is the USA able to damage the Russian economy by imposing sanctions but Russia can't do the same?
For example see U.S. tightens sanctions on Russia over Crimea, New US sanctions on Russia inflame old tensions, as well as many more reports.
user4514
53
votes
12 answers
Why hasn't the US political system taken recourse against Trump for his politically motivated firings?
The answers to this question - What reasons may Donald Trump have had for firing FBI Director James Comey? - appear to suggest that there is widespread certainty that the sacking was politically motivated. And furthermore that the political…
Bob Tway
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