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October 23, 2015
Paul Ryan, the ‘Hastert Rule’ and Democracy on the Hill
Would the House be more functional if it could vote more often on bills that most of the majority party members opposed?
Recent Discussions
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October 22, 2015
The Promise of Genetic Testing in Medicine
Is the enthusiasm for applying DNA sequencing to health care overblown?
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October 21, 2015
A One-Term U.S. President
Two millennials debate whether a one-term presidency would be good for the nation's future.
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October 20, 2015
The United States of Denmark
Could a socialist government model like those that exist in Scandinavia work in America?
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October 19, 2015
Racism, Based on a Name
What can be done about the racial bias those with African-American names face in the job market?
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October 16, 2015
The Effects of Seeing Asian-Americans as a ‘Model Minority’
Does the stereotype do damage and perpetuate unique racial burdens?
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October 14, 2015
The Pope and the Sex Abuse Scandal
Has Pope Francis done enough to address the damage done by sexually abusive priests and the bishops who enabled them?
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October 13, 2015
How to Reform the Debates
What format changes would make the presidential debates more substantive?
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October 9, 2015
How Should the News Media Cover Mass Shooters?
Does the press need to be more mindful of their coverage of murderers in killings, such as that in Oregon, given the …
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October 8, 2015
Are Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Reparations Due?
Should former colonial powers pay reparations for the Atlantic slave trade?
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October 6, 2015
The Future of Trans-Pacific Trade
Why is it important to approve the 12-nation trade pact, or to reject it?
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October 5, 2015
Is the Gun Lobby Still Invincible?
Three years after Newtown, has the National Rifle Association grown stronger, or can it be challenged?
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October 1, 2015
Is Carly Fiorina a Feminist?
Carly Fiorina acts the way many feminists feel women should act. But do her political views mean that traditional labels don't apply …
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September 30, 2015
The House After John Boehner’s Departure
Will the speaker's resignation change anything fundamentally about Congress and American political dysfunction?
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September 29, 2015
Is Honesty for Suckers?
Has the pervasiveness of cheating made moral behavior passé?
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September 28, 2015
Is There Too Much TV to Choose From?
If there's too much for viewers to watch, what happens to the "morning after, water-cooler conversation"?
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September 24, 2015
Is the Bar Too Low to Get Into Law School?
An increasing number of law students have failed the bar exam in recent years.
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September 23, 2015
Should the Government Impose Drug Price Controls?
Is tougher action needed to ensure that Americans can afford the medications they need?
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September 22, 2015
Depressed? There’s an App for That
Can apps be used to treat depression and anxiety?
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September 21, 2015
Can Russia Really Be a Partner to Bring Peace to Syria?
Can Russia be an ally in stabilizing Syria and fighting ISIS or is it too closely tied to the Assad regime?
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September 17, 2015
How Radical Is the Pope?
Has Pope Francis abandoned core Catholic beliefs to promote a liberal agenda?
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September 16, 2015
Should Fraternities and Sororities Be Coed?
Making Greek brothers and sisters one big family on campus.
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September 15, 2015
Helping Europe Help Others
If the Syrian refugee crisis isn't just a European problem, what should other countries be doing?
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September 14, 2015
For Contractors, Who’s the Boss?
Should companies have responsibility for all contract workers, even if they don't employ them directly?
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September 10, 2015
Helping a Suicide When the End Isn’t Near
Should people who are not dying but suffer unbearably be permitted assistance in killing themselves?
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September 9, 2015
The Power of Third-Party Campaigns
Would voters be better off with more choices? Is the two-party system worth defending?
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September 8, 2015
Hard at Work
Can companies excel without making workers miserable?
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September 3, 2015
Is Immigration Really a Problem?
Is unauthorized immigration as much of a problem for the U.S. as some claim?
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September 2, 2015
What’s the Greatest Threat to U.S. National Security?
The president says it's nuclear terrorism. The Pentagon says it's Russia. The F.B.I. says it's the Islamic State.
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September 1, 2015
The Graying of the President
Should the age of a presidential candidate matter?
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August 31, 2015
The First Year College Reading List
Many colleges and universities require "great books" courses for first year students to introduce them to classic works. Which books should be …
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In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday.
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