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1500 questions
119
votes
17 answers
Why does there seem to be a lack of conservative comedy and comedy-news compared to liberal?
In the United States there are a number of liberal comedians who emphasize their liberal status in their comedy, and in particular a wealth of liberal comedy focusing on recent events/news. To name a few off the top of my head, there is "The Daily…
dsollen
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119
votes
7 answers
Why couldn't Republicans who voted to repeal Obamacare so many times under Obama do it under a Republican president?
I seem to recall that Republicans voted to amend or repeal Obamacare dozens of times when Obama was president. It was a meme that they had so many better ideas about health care. They seemed to be confident and full of ideas, and had no problem…
J Doe
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118
votes
8 answers
Why does the pardon of Arpaio show contempt for the rule of law?
Much of the criticism of Trump's pardon of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has centered on the idea that this shows a disrespect for the "rule of law". For instance, John McCain said (as reported in the LA Times):
The president has the authority…
Barmar
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116
votes
9 answers
Why is Trump dubbing COVID-19 as the "Chinese virus" considered offensive, while many past epidemics have had similar naming schemes?
To preface this, I'm not a supporter of Trump, but I disagree with the way some major media outlets have criticized him over his nickname for COVID-19, the "Chinese virus". In addition, it is not only those outlets, but other governmental…
yuritsuki
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114
votes
18 answers
Why hasn't competition between health insurance providers led to lower prices for consumers?
In the US, a common argument I've seen against a universal healthcare system is that removing the ability of private health insurance companies to compete will give rise to a natural monopoly in the industry, leading to an overall increased cost to…
CDJB
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113
votes
13 answers
What are the main reasons for why negotiating a proper Brexit deal has been so hard?
When the UK voted for Brexit, then it was generally expected that the pro-Brexit politicians had some idea of how negotiations for a Brexit deal would fare and what the outcome would be.
Now years later, we are at a point where May's got one last…
dimpleoewoo
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113
votes
11 answers
Why is the climate change debate so often framed in terms of whether or not it's due to human activity?
This one has been puzzling me. When I hear debates about climate change, very often it seems like the debate has been centered around whether or not it is caused by human activity.
To me this aspect feels like a complete red herring.
Presumably…
Stilez
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110
votes
22 answers
What is the capitalist answer to automation?
While we are not currently at total automation, we are inching closer. An Oxford Study from 2013 indicates by 2033 upwards of 45% of our job force could be automated. This automation, causing a reduced need for work (thus wages) might cause (over…
RandomlyOnside
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109
votes
3 answers
"Putin enters a bar and proclaims, 'Next round's on the house!'" What's the point of this popular Russian joke?
I'm a student learning the Russian language, and I visit a popular Russian jokes website from time to time. There's a monthly rating list of new jokes on that website, and last month the top joke on that list was this:
Заходит как-то Путин в бар и…
Mitsuko
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109
votes
6 answers
Why are states purportedly performing assassinations with chemical and radioactive weapons?
Purportedly the Russian state assassinated Alexander Litvinenko by poisoning with him with:
radioactive polonium-210, believed to have been administered in a cup of tea
Alexander Litvinenko: Profile of murdered Russian spy
Furthermore;
Former spy…
James Wood
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108
votes
10 answers
Why is a border wall such a polarising issue in American politics?
I don't understand why this is such a big deal. Many countries around the world have a hard border with a physical barrier in place to stop illegal crossing/smuggling. It doesn't seem inherently unreasonable that the US has one as well, especially…
user1450877
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107
votes
15 answers
What is the point of impeaching Trump?
By attempting to impeach Trump, Democrats will accomplish either of two things.
They will succeed in removing him from office. Mike Pence takes over. A career politician, well liked by conservatives, and somebody who will take on the 2020 elections…
grego
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106
votes
9 answers
Why is Greece's debt considered a problem but not US debt, which is much larger?
Greece's and other southern European countries' debt has been considered a problem since the 2008 crash, and austerity measures have been forced to the people.
However the United States also have a colossal debt, yet I have never heard of it being a…
Bregalad
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105
votes
26 answers
What is capitalism's answer to constant economic growth hitting the limit of the planet's finite resources?
We keep hearing a lot about economic growth in the media and this answer shows us why it is so important:
Therefore, we have three options:
A constant increase in unemployment. (Generally feared and loathed.)
Less time at work per person.…
Alexei
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104
votes
12 answers
Why is globalisation so disdained?
From what I can tell via the definition of the word on Google, globalisation seems like a fairly reasonable course of action.
Trade makes everyone better off in the long run, and it isn't as if we can just pretend that we don't live on a planet…
Onyz
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