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Debate Info

25
9
Internal Issues External Issues
Debate Score:34
Arguments:11
Total Votes:40
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 Internal Issues (8)
 
 External Issues (3)

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Which is the greater threat to America today?

Today, both internal and external issues threaten the United States and the way Americans live.

Internal issues, those that originate from within the US, pose a large threat to the nation.  Without the proper fixing, these issues have the potential to bring down even the strongest countries.

We all know of the external issues that threaten the United States, such as stateless factions that are difficult to prevent from attacking and radical nations like North Korea.  Are these issues more threatening to the country than internal issues?

Both of these choices have their own unique aspects and are very different in the way that they act/will act on the country, but which, when viewed from a neutral standpoint, is the greater threat to America and Americans today?

Internal Issues

Side Score: 25
VS.

External Issues

Side Score: 9

I'm not going to jump on this liberalism/socialist train that everyone seems to be speaking of. I will however say that the masses are becoming incredibly lazy and ignorant. It's easier for many to just sit back, believe what they see on the news and then complain and or accuse. Even many of the educated can be accused of not standing up for their rights. (people only typically stand up when it has an effect on their day to day livelihood)

Where are the marches, the rally's, and the outcries? We are at a very delicate time. Many of the roads, set up in the past, are coming together today and we're realizing that these roads aren't good for walking on.

I speak to people everyday about politics and what do I hear? I hear people repeating nonsense. I hear unfounded accusations. I hear fear of change. What is really different today that couldn't be said 50 years ago? (I'm speaking onto the socio/political status) While I do have some concerns, I've been addressing them and constantly keeping in touch with my politicians. (again, being active is all that you can do. when enough numbers join in on being "active" then you have a movement and change for that group can happen)

Many are scared of a single payer healthcare plan, stop listening to the insurance companies propaganda. Many think that the government is now the owner of GM, learn a little about business. (and if you're nervous, that's fine, hold the government accountable for letting go of the stock in 3 to 5 years) Many have problems with immigration. Since when have we had any sort of effective immigration reform? It's more about decriminalizing it and getting rid of agreements such as NAFTA. (read The Accidental American-good book and I've had a few words with both authors)

What I don't hear many people in fear about are such things as the food safety act. Why doesn't the media cover this story? I don't hear about wage theft and workers rights. Why don't you hear about this in the restaurant sector? That's because the national restaurant association is the top 10 most powerful lobbies in the united states. (NY- has 200,000, CHI- 250,000. and LA- 600,000 workers that are being abused daily)

Why is it that the only "issues" we hear about are that which affect the rich and the powerful? If you take a step back, i hope, you will see what I'm speaking of and to. I read an article yesterday that said Mr. Robos said that the worst of the financial crisis is over. At the same time I received another apr rate increase after paying over the min for more than 2 years. For whom is this financial crisis over?

Again, much of what I speak of is internal. I cannot speak across the board, but in the US we still have a lot to fix. Corporate control and the financial institutions control of the US was well hidden for a long time. What we see now is that they're becoming more visible. The question of where America goes from here is an internal one. An internal issue that "the people" must address in their interest. This comes with education and an understanding of politics. Can't run a country on feelings.

Side: Internal Issues
3 points

Great argument I completely agree. I think the root of this problem is the consolidation of corporations and businesses. All the news channels are owned by three companies. Movie studios own most of the theater chains. Then you have huge conglomerates like GE that own companies in a multitude of sectors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_General_Electric

To simplify the problem I think democracy is starting to break down. Journalism is the backbone of a democracy. Without an informed public it ceases to exist. And when the media is owned by a few corporations watching out for their best interests and the interests of their subsidiaries, the result is that the public is not informed. Businesses also have an enormous amount of control in congress. Like you said health care reform has been blocked many times by insurance company lobbies because they don't want any of their profits to be taken away. More money continues to be concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer people, and this can lead to tyranny of the minority. We need to demand that congress take steps to fix the media like bringing back the Fairness Doctrine and breaking up the monopoly on news. We also need to demand more transparency and regulation of where politicians get funding. To all the conservatives who are afraid of a strong central government this is what I will say. At least with a strong central government, the people have control over it democratically. Right now our government is in a stranglehold by big business over which we have no control.

Side: Internal Issues
Tugman(749) Disputed
3 points

"To simplify the problem I think democracy is starting to break down. Journalism is the backbone of a democracy. Without an informed public it ceases to exist."

Are you saying that the majority of the media is biased?

"At least with a strong central government, the people have control over it democratically. Right now our government is in a stranglehold by big business over which we have no control."

The government can not handle it. All the people who know what they are doing are in the big buisnesses and not in the government.

" We need to demand that congress take steps to fix the media like bringing back the Fairness Doctrine and breaking up the monopoly on news."

And sacrifice free speech?

Side: Internal Issues

There is no doubt in my mind that this country will implode due to the inordinate amount of internal fissures we experience. I know we must face the fact that external threats are upon us but we must heal the wounds inside before we can become strong enough to deal with what's just over the ridge.

Side: Internal Issues

Internal issues will be the downfall of this country. As we lose more and more of our liberties, as we become more and more socialist, we will lose our ability to navigate this country through tough times. In short, the greatest threat to America today is liberalism.

Side: Internal Issues
2 points

Internal issues are the greatest threat. One reason is that depending on the outcome of internal issues, external issues can change or at least the manner at which they are perceived and dealt with. For the United States only internal issues have ever stopped it from advancing socially and we are at the point that America needs to advance socially but the opposition and divide among internal forces prevents this from happening. Also internal issues generally influence a larger population within a country than external ones, except for a true invasion. The internal issues are under our control and thus all it takes is that all the opposing forces to learn to compromise and put the country before business or personal agendas.

Side: Internal Issues
1 point

We have a big economic crisis that should be the number one priority for the US, but we can not neglect threat of terrorism that can strike at any moment. We need to fix the economy while maintaining the defensive measures that have kept us safe for the last eight years.

Side: Internal Issues
iamdavidh(4856) Disputed
2 points

911 was 7 years ago... while your boy was in office (and who consequently received a memo from Clinton warning of a possible strike from Osama, which your boy ignored.)

I'd rather be safe like we were for the 8 years before the last 8 years, you know, when we had a president who knew what the hell he was doing.

Side: External Issues

Gun violence in America is an internal issue and strict gun control is needed.

Side: Internal Issues
3 points

To me it's gonna be terrorism for a while. It seems that when we were afraid of Communism that's when we were the most safe and most happy (Eisenhower, Reagan, JFK).

Maybe if we defeat al-Qaeda and just be afraid of Russia again, we would be able to worry more about internal issues.

Side: External Issues