   Townhall Questions for Obama, McCain, Nader and Barr
  Barack Obama has reportedly accepted John McCain's offer to debate in town hall meetings across the United States [Obama's gamble in debating McCain]. Details of the debate format are sketchy. Prospects are slight that Ralph Nader and Bob Barr will be allowed to participate. And Cynthia McKinney? Forget it (sorry).  Setting aside these formality issues, if you were let into the audience and allowed to ask a question at one of these debates, what question would you ask? In that mode, I propose that we formulate questions to ask the candidates, questions about the Iraq War, Net Neutrality, taxes, the proper role of government, video game regulations, what have you. I submit that we should hone these questions down to a maximum of two sentences through editing and discussion. I'll get things started with a sample, but I don't want to hog the thread, so offer some of your own.LessBread's Townhall Question: "U.S. Government outsourcing of military operations to mercenary forces, such as Blackwater, presents a concrete threat to liberty in my opinion. As President, what will you do to outlaw private military companies?"   
  Keeping it short, my internet connection is spotty.LessBread: why do youy feel that way? Are you afraid PMCs will attempt to take over?   ;  I would ask what they would do to reverse the damage done to our privacy and rights through the wars on terror and drugs.  I would ask McCain specifically to clarify his position on interrogation and the bush tax cuts, and why he changed his mind before, since I kind of liked him before those two flip-flops.   ;  I would ask the candidates if they feel the federal government has, on average, done positive work towards maintaining the spirit of the Constitution, how they propose to reestablish respect for the Constitution amongst their fellow congressmen and women, and to explain how their proposed programs mesh with the 10th Amendment, beyond just a blanket "it provides for the general welfare" statement.   ;Quote:Original post by capn_midnightKeeping it short, my internet connection is spotty.LessBread: why do youy feel that way? Are you afraid PMCs will attempt to take over?Yes, more or less. I'm not saying they will or that it would happen. I'm saying that it's naive to think that it couldn't happen or to allow that threat to ever become a real possibility at all. I think that as a matter of principle, private military companies threaten republican government. Organizations afforded the legal use of force should always be accountable to the public in meaningful ways. I'm not saying that it's realistic to call for outlawing them, but asking for their regulation isn't enough. That would merely be business as usual.