Big Thinker
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Should those that smoke be barred from public healthcare?
Its everyone's right to smoke, but should participating in an activity that is known to cause significant (and expensive) health problems have access to public health care? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Should we view healthcare as a public utility?
Tens of millions of American do not receive adequate healthcare. We all know the various plans that our politicians, insurance groups and lobbyists propose, but is fundamental shift in how we approach the subject needed? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Should gym be requried in primary school?
The United States is facing a growing obesity epidemic. Is primary school the right place to require children to participate in exercise? Is it an appropriate use of state funds to pay for gym class? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Should institutions of higher education make it a goal to provide free tuition?
Harvard recently announced that admitted students from families earning under $60,000 will be able to attend for free while students of families earning more than $60,000 will have to pay only a small percentage of their family's income. Should other schools make this a goal? Or will schools that don't have large endowments only be forced to try and raise more funds to compete with Harvard? Read More
January 4, 2008
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How should sex education be taught?
Should it be the responsibility of teachers to talk about sex? How do we determine what is an age appropriate level to start talking about it? What type of lesson plans should be taught? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Should religious charter schools receive public funding?
Everyone deserves quality education, but do religious charter schools blur the line between church and state? Who should be responsible for funding them? By not funding them, is it a violation of freedom of religious expression? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Who is going to be the next President of the United States?
This is for all the armchair pundits out there. Who do you predict will be the next PUSA? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Does the primary system need to change?
Before the caucus in Iowa, we asked '08 presidential candidates if they thought New Hampshire and Iowa should remain at the front of the primary schedule. The answers were mixed so we turn the question to you. Does the primary system need to change? Read More
January 4, 2008
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How does film/theater shape politics?
From 'The Crucible' to 'Charlie Wilson's War' to 'Fahrenheit 9/11', film and theater have been used as a vehicle to both reflect and provoke political action in the United States. Is this always a good thing? What movies and plays do it best? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Actors, how do you get into character?
Daniel Day Lewis is rumored to spend entire films 'living' in character. Uta Hagen transfered experience from her own life and brought her characters alive through action. What do you do? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Do Americans get enough vacation?
Our government is one of only a few developed nations that doesn't regulate the vacation days of its workers. According to the World Tourism Organization, US workers average 13 days of vacation a year. Compare this to Italy with 42 or Mexico, with 6. So who has it right? Does more time off make workers more productive? Or has the American economy remained strong because of our work ethic? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Is ageism a problem in the American workforce?
There are a plethora of reasons for Americans to work later in life today. It is difficult to live off of Social Security benefits alone, we are living longer and 401(k) plans are far less reliable than traditional retirement plans. So do older members of our society get a fair shot when it comes to employment? What about younger workers? Does youth and inexperience repel employers? Read More
January 4, 2008
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What will stop the dollar from falling?
The falling dollar is having an effect on everything from family savings to business strategy to our status as a global economic leader. What will it take to raise the value of the dollar? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Everyone deserves a fair price for their work, but should there be caps on CEO salaries? Is it fair to lay off workers when your own salary is worth tens of millions of dollars. Or, does the market require high salaries to retain the highest quality leaders and the lifestyle they must lead in their high risk jobs? Read More
January 4, 2008
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Should the arts receive more public funding?
In our own way, we each patronize the arts, whether its a live performance or a great movie. Should the public be expected to foot the bill for arts education and production? Read More
January 3, 2008
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Will this century be as violent as the previous one?
The 20th century was one of the most violent centuries in human history. Great progress was made while hundreds of millions were killed in war. Is the spilled blood of last century a harbinger of what is to come or have we learned our lesson? Read More
January 3, 2008
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Is democracy the answer for the Middle East?
What type of government would stabilize countries in the Middle East and raise the standard of living for its citizens? Read More
December 28, 2007
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Do governments have a role in population control?
What role should governments be playing, if any, in countries facing major demographic issues like China and India? Read More
December 28, 2007
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What will ease tension between India and Pakistan?
What will it take to settle the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir? Read More
December 28, 2007
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Is China's growing presence in Africa dangerous?
What are the implications of Chinese involvement in development in Africa? Read More
December 28, 2007
