The Xahar-Constine debate

[Sensei]

Greetings fellow Atlasians, I'm respected all-around good guy and humble man Sensei. Today we have met here for a debate that is of the essence to our futures. I would like to invite Xahar and Ben to make their opening statements.

[Хahar 🤔]

I want to thank everyone for making this possible: Conor for suggesting it, Jaime for moderating it, and of course Ben for agreeing to be owned.

My opponent has no coherent ideology. This debate will prove that.

Thank you.

[© tweed]

battle of the prolific post-padders...  at least Xahar has some substance to what he says though so he should win this 'debate' handily

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

battle of the prolific post-padders...  at least Xahar has some substance to what he says though so he should win this 'debate' handily

Not to mention constine is the only person I've ever seen who has lost a argument to a troll (He once got into an argument about Israel and militarism with Straha who was basically trolling him at the time, and Straha still owned him.)

[NDN]

In Ben's defense though Straha can be a good debater when he actually cares about what he's talking about.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'd like to thank Xahar for participating, Sensei for moderating, Conor for bringing this up, and to everyone who has turned out for this debate.

I look forward to having a clean debate; thank you.

[Sensei]

Thank you both for your opening statements. Here is the first question, from Herb Gustafson of Hell, Michigan:

The global economy is in complete disarray at the moment, and there's no easy fix, obviously. What do you propose be done to ease the effect on the average American?

[Хahar 🤔]

I propose we at least partially nationalize the banking industry, raise the estate tax, raise the income tax for the very wealthy, and institute sound Keynesian policies similar to those used in the 1930s. The deification of the market has led to these issues, and we must end it if we are to fix the economy.

[Sensei]

rebuttal, Mr Constine?

[Хahar 🤔]

Disclaimer: I may be out for several hours. The tree out back needs trimming.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

rebuttal, Mr Constine?

To a large extent I agree with my opponent.  I would say, though, that we make the nationlization of the banking industry, and the increase in the estate tax, temporary.

[War on Want]

This is going to be very boring without foriegn policy debating...

[Sensei]

The next question is for you, Mr Constine, and it is from Gary Hunt of Sweatman, Louisiana.

Do you believe penalties should be imposed on companies who outsource American jobs overseas? What kinds of penalties, and why?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The next question is for you, Mr Constine, and it is from Gary Hunt of Sweatman, Louisiana.

Do you believe penalties should be imposed on companies who outsource American jobs overseas? What kinds of penalties, and why?

Yes, I believe that companies who outsource American jobs overseas should have penalties imposed on them.  These penalties would take the form of fines levied against the companies, on the basis of how much of their labor is sent overseas.  In order to qualify for the fine, however, a company would have to have a certain percentage of their labor being outsourced.

Now, as to why these companies should be fined: companies that outsource labor are doing so only to achieve greater profits, and are hurting American labor by taking these jobs and shipping them.

[Sensei]

follow up:

What percentage of a company's labor would have to be outsourced before taxes are levied?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

follow up:

What percentage of a company's labor would have to be outsourced before taxes are levied?

At the moment I can't give a certain figure, although it would not be a fairly significant percent.

[Sensei]

ok.

Rebuttal, Xahar?

[Joe Republic]

[Хahar 🤔]

My opponent is a silly protectionist.

[Sensei]

The next question is for Xahar.

What should the US's policy be on Israel, as it relates to recognition, aid-giving, and military support?

[Хahar 🤔]

There must be a two-state solution. That is paramount. Israel does not particularly need aid, and so we should grant very little, if any. Israel is not a very strong ally, as it is. We have been on several occasions spied on by Israeli intelligence.

[Sensei]

follow up:
What would you consider the ideal partition as it relates to the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem?

[Хahar 🤔]

[Sensei]

thank you Xahar.

Rebuttal, Ben?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

thank you Xahar.

Rebuttal, Ben?

I agree with my opponent that a two-state solution is ideal, and that it can be achieved.  Regarding the West Bank and Gaza, I am willing to cede both to the new Palestinian state.  However, I firmly believe that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel.

The United States should continue to give military aid to Israel, although the amount of aid should depend on the circumstances both in Israel and the US.  Economic aid, however, should be significantly cut back on, as it is not really needed.  On military support, the US should help Israel if needed, but not follow Israel blindly into military conflict.  We should treat it as any other ally who was about to go to war.