Read the discussions that past features in the Ideas section have generated. Comments or suggestions? E-mail ideas@globe.com.
October 3, 2004 | The advocate
Are trial lawyers a progressive force or do they represent a false populism?
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September 26, 2004 | On native grounds
How should the country understand the role Native Americans have played in our history and culture?
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September 19, 2004 | The God gap
Should Democrats move beyond secularism?
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September 12, 2004 | Against types
Do personality tests give us useful insights into our ourselves, or do they give a dangerously oversimplified, inaccurate, and unfair picture?
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September 5, 2004 | It's still the economy, stupid
Will Bush’s vision of an “ownership society” bring greater security and prosperity to America?
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August 29, 2004 | Now for the hard part
Is the commission correct to emphasize the larger war of ideas alongside the military struggle against Al Qaeda and other radical Islamic groups?
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August 22, 2004 | The faithful
Is faith in the Red Sox akin to a religious faith? Or does the analogy go too far?
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August 15, 2004 | Homeschool politics
If conservative Christian homeschoolers, such as those filling the ranks of generation Joshua, can mobilize at the grass-roots level to support Republican candidates, including President Bush, should liberal homeschoolers get politically organized?
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August 8, 2004 | Back to basics
If Wall Street research can't make an honest buck, will other
players step in to fill the gap? And who needs Wall Street analysts anyway?
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August 1, 2004 | War stories
Will Kerry's war hero story and John Edward's selfmade man tale connect with voters? Or do the Democrats need to find a new storyline?
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July 25, 2004 | The Spirit of ’56
Should the networks give the conventions more air time? Or do the conventions no longer merit the coverage they receive?
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July 18, 2004 | AIDS and the single girl
As girls and young women in Africa and Asia become increasingly vulnerable to HIV as a result of sex with older men, how should the US and international AIDS groups respond?
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July 11, 2004 | From Alligator to Zoomburb
What does the new American landscape of sprawl reveal about us?
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July 4, 2004 | O is for oil
What is the best route to energy security? Where should our efforts at technological innovation, or conservation, be focused?
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June 27, 2004 | His way
What is Clinton’s legacy? And should Kerry claim it – or run away from it?
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June 20, 2004 | The ire of the Irish
Has American luck run out on the Emerald Isle?
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June 13, 2004 | Affirmative reactions
Should colleges continue to consider race in admissions, as the University of Michigan has done?
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June 6, 2004 | Innovation city
Should city and state officials do more to preserve the area's competitive advantage? Or should they concentrate on nurturing economic growth as a whole?
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May 30, 2004 | Who votes? (And who cares?)
Is low turnout a sign of disillusionment and civil decay that must be addressed, as many commentators argue? Or is it a sign of a mature democracy and basic satisfaction with the status quo?
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May 23, 2004 | Separation anxiety
Given the Democratic party's stance on abortion, is there any contradiction in being a good Democrat and a good Catholic?
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May 16, 2004 | Beyond Goodridge
Do marriage and partnership laws need to be expanded to cover the many different ways people are financially and emotionally interdependent?
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May 9, 2004 | Chaos theory
Is it time for lawmakers to confront the possibility of political chaos in the event of a well-timed terrorist assassination plot?
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May 2, 2004 | Middle Man
Does a politically polarized America need more books that emphasize reporting over analysis and commentary?
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April 25, 2004 | Sex and the real city
Are big-city "sexual marketplaces" really stratified and limited as some suggest?
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April 18, 2004 | Run for the money
Have charity runners undermined the competitiveness of the sport? Or have they helped democratize it while raising money for worthy causes?
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April 11, 2004 | Unasked questions
Should the 9/11 commission inquire about the evacuation of 140 Saudi nationals from the United States in the days immediately following Sept. 11?
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April 4, 2004 | Apocalyptic president?
What role, if any, should religion have in the White House?
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March 28, 2004 | Does America's popularity abroad really matter?
Has declining global public opinion of the United States underminded our foreign policy effectiveness?
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March 21, 2004 | When churches disappear
Was the unexpected ouster of the pro-war ruling party in Spain a vindication of democracy and multilateral foreign policy? Or did it hand terrorists a victory and set a dangerous precedent?
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March 14, 2004 | When churches disappear
Should the church hierarchy that subsidized struggling parishes now have the power to close their doors?
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March 7, 2004 | Judging the judges
Where should the line between legitimate and illegitimate judicial actions be drawn? In finding in favor of same-sex marriage, did the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court extend and improve the constitution, or distort and disregard it?
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February 29, 2004 | The road to riches?
Should cities make special efforts to attract artists, computer programmers, and other members of this new "creative class"?
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February 22, 2004 | The liberal legacy
Are Social Security, Medicare, labor laws, and the like truly immune to repeal or radical overhaul?
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February 15, 2004 | Attack of the clones
Is it right to push for strict limits on biotech research?
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February 8, 2004 | Collision course
Should lawmakers vote "yes" on the amendment and pass the final decision along to the people?
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February 1, 2004 | The marketing of mental illness
Have drug companies exaggerated the extent of depression as well as the safety of their products?
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January 25, 2004 | Real democracy?
Do town meetings give citizens a chance to participate directly in politics to solve their problems face-to-face?
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January 18, 2004 | Measuring morals
Are Americans cheating more than they used to, too often choosing to do well rather than do good? If so, what should be done about the problem?
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January 11, 2004 | I'll give you my heart (but I might need your liver)
Should exclusive clubs like LifeSharers, or financial incentives, be legal? Or should organ donation be based strictly on altruistic motivations.
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January 4, 2004 | Counterpunch
As attacks continue on troops in Iraq, should the US military step up its counterinsurgency efforts? Or does such a response risk winning the battle but losing the war?
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December 28, 2003 | The two-nation trap
Is it possible for a Democrat to speak effectively and persuasively to all of the people?
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December 21, 2003 | The Grinch saves Christmas
Does it make sense to support retailers by buying your friends and family gifts they might not want?
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December 14, 2003 | Power failure
Why doesn't Massachusetts have more prominent black leaders?
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December 7, 2003 | Poison pill
Is prescription drug coverage worth the price?
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November 30, 2003 | The reformer
Does the vision of Tariq Ramadan, Europe's leading advocate of moderate Islam, promote tolerance and coexistence?
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November 23, 2003 | Have primaries polarized politics?
Has today's presidential nomination process altered our political landscape dramatically -- and perhaps for the worse?
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November 16, 2003 | The corporate college
Do universities benefit when they adopt practices from the business world?
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November 9, 2003 | Boom and bust
In "Boom and Bust," Jeff Madrick questions the significance of the American economy's recent good news. Is his pessimism justified?
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November 2, 2003 | Why can't the Bay State elect a Democratic governor?
Should Democratic candidates reach out to suburban voters by stressing fiscal responsibility? Should they champion the state's dispossessed?
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October 26, 2003 | Left behind
Do charter schools provide an answer to a national crisis?
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October 19, 2003 | Clark's war
Was Wesley Clark a bold leader who stared down bureaucratic opponents in the pursuit of humanitarian goals? Or a reckless commander who overstepped his authority and showed little regard for America's core strategic interests?
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