Category: U.S. Extemp Page 37 of 55

1. Should the Justice Department pursue civil rights charges against George Zimmerman?
2. Is a photo identification requirement to vote unconstitutional?
3. Can Texas Democrats use the abortion issue to gain significant political ground in the state?
4. Is Rick Perry the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2016?
5. Should the Senate eliminate the filibuster completely?
6. How will a pending merger between U.S. Airways and American Airlines impact the U.S. airline industry?
7. Will food stamps be a part of the final farm bill passed by Congress?
8. What types of deductions should be closed in a new wave of federal tax reform?
9. Does Brian Schweitzer’s decision not to run for the U.S. Senate give Republicans an easy pickup opportunity in 2014?
10. Are Democrats outmanuevering Republicans when it comes to the use of political rhetoric?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of July 8th-14th, 2013

By geniao44446

On July 8, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should the U.S. welcome the Egyptian coup?
2. To what degree should an individual’s right to privacy cede ground to national security issues?
3. Why did the Lone Ranger bomb at the box office?
4. Is President Obama’s decision to delay enforcement of the employer mandate constitutional?
5. Why is the GOP struggling to field quality Senate candidates for 2014?
6. Is the U.S. economy really recovering?
7. How can the United States repair its relationship with leftist governments in Latin America?
8. Are Mitch McConnell’s re-election hopes dim?
9. Is Texas’s proposed abortion law too tough?
10. How can the federal government encourage workers to save more of their earnings for retirement?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of July 1st-7th, 2013

By geniao44446

On July 1, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. How will the recent spat over NSA spying on EU impact the hunt for Edward Snowden?
2. Will the House pass the Senate version of immigration reform?
3. How can Paula Dean rehabilitate her image?
4. Do last week’s Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage lay the foundation for the legalization of gay marriage in all fifty states?
5. Can the “Power Africa” plan strengthen U.S.-African relations?
6. Is it ethnical for Texas to actively lobby businesses in other states to relocate?
7. How can the federal government ensure that all schools have access to high speed internet by 2018?
8. Will Anthony Weiner become the next mayor of New York City?
9. Does the media have a liberal bias?
10. How will the recent Supreme Court’s rulings on gay marriage impact the 2014 midterm elections?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of June 24th-30th, 2013

By geniao44446

On June 24, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should prostitution be decriminalized?
2. Is it too late for the United States to turn the tide in Syria?
3. Edward Snowden: traitor or patriot?
4. Will Marco Rubio’s stance on immigration cost him the GOP presidential nomination in 2016?
5. Is it time to end collegiate affirmative action policies?
6. Will the U.S. Congress pass a new farm bill in 2013?
7. How can America stem the high rate of teacher turnover?
8. When should the Federal Reserve stop quanitative easing?
9. How will Detroit’s fiscal problems impact the municipal bond market?
10. Will Hillary Clinton run for president in 2016?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of June 10th-16th, 2013

By geniao44446

On June 10, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are this week’s United States extemp questions. The questions with asterisks come from Steve Meadows of Danville High School in Danville, Kentucky.

*1. Has the shift in focus for US Foreign Policy (from the Middle East to Asia) succeeded?
*2. Is the United States the bully on the international playground?
3. Who should become the next chairman of the Federal Reserve?
4. Is the sequester having a negative impact on the U.S. economy?
5. Should race be used as a factor in college admissions?
6. Will Chris Christie’s decision to have a separate special election for New Jersey’s Senate seat harm his gubernatorial campaign?
7. How should the GOP handle President Obama’s judicial picks for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals?
8. Should Congress repeal the Patriot Act?
9. How can “Rockefeller Republicans” re-establish themselves in today’s Republican Party?
10. What is an acceptable definition of electronic privacy in this era of terrorism?

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Topic Brief: 2013 Judicial Issues

By geniao44446

On June 7, 2013

In Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

by Logan Scisco

Judicial issues is a topic area that United States extempers face, usually at NFL Districts and the NFL National Tournament, although it is also a topic that can find itself used at local and state tournaments as well. The judicial branch is one of the three branches of the U.S. national government and plays a vital role in defining the U.S. Constitution and weighing in on heated political, social, and economic issues. This topic brief will break down some of the major issues that extempers might have to discuss on the judicial issues topic area and things they want to keep in mind when answering these questions.

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of June 3rd-9th, 2013

By geniao44446

On June 3, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. How would American intervention in Syria impact its relationship with Israel?
2. Should Eric Holder resign?
3. How should the United States respond to Chinese hacking of defense systems?
4. Is Rand Paul a viable 2016 presidential candidate?
5. Can the Republican Party afford to vote against comprehensive immigration reform before the 2014 midterms?
6. Are states too complacent in regards to fracking regulations?
7. Will online learning improve college education in the United States?
8. What role should drones play in American military operations?
9. Should the Republican Party be excited about Michele Bachmann’s decision to not seek re-election?
10. What can marriage equality advocates learn from their recent setback in Illinois?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 27th-June 2nd, 2013

By geniao44446

On May 27, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Will recent bridge collapses produce momentum for a national public works program?
2. Why has political momentum evaporated for cap and trade?
3. Is Benghazi an issue in search of a scandal?
4. How can the GOP recapture the Senate in 2014?
5. Does America need a smaller military?
6. Will private, not public, funding produce the next moon landing?
7. Is a Netflix-style model the future of cable television?
8. Should public officials be allowed to classify Americans as “enemy combatants”?
9. Is it time to end the war on terrorism?
10. Will the Boy Scouts recent decision to admit gay members lead to a sharp decline in membership?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 20th-26th, 2013

By geniao44446

On May 20, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. How should the Obama administration handle the IRS scandal?
2. Is it in America’s best interest to back the Syrian opposition?
3. Will online education make attendance at a physical college campus obsolete for most Americans?
4. With America’s mission nearly complete, should Afghanistan be viewed as a success or a foreign policy blunder?
5. Will Medicaid expansion cripple state budgets within the next ten years?
6. Is President Obama’s governing style too “hands off”?
7. What impact, if any, will the recent Washington D.C. scandals have on the Massachusetts Senate race?
8. Should the federal government invest in a massive public works campaign to lower national unemployment?
9. Does law enforcement’s use of drones violate Fourth Amendment protections?
10. Google Glass: Useful invention or public nightmare?

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 13th-19th, 2013

By geniao44446

On May 13, 2013

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Will the U.S. launch a manned mission to Mars by 2030?
2. Is Benghazi the next Watergate?
3. Will Mark Sanford’s victory assist the Democrats in enhancing their appeal to female voters in 2014?
4. Can Jeb Bush escape his brother’s shadow and win the presidency in 2016?
5. What explains the lack of white voter turnout in 2012?
6. How should the Department of Defense handle new allegations of sexual assault in the military?
7. What changes should be made to the Senate immigration reform bill?
8. How can John Kerry “reset” America’s relationship with Russia?
9. Dow at 15,000: So what?
10. Will the U.S. Senate approve the UN arms trade treaty?

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Extemp Questions for the Week of March 11, 2013

On March 12, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week of March 11, 2013:

United States
Will Rand Paul’s filibuster of CIA Director Brennan have a meaningful impact on the United States’ drone policy?
Is Paul Ryan’s most recent budget a boon to the GOP, or to Democrats?
Do “fracking” critics have any hope of spurring a nationwide ban on the practice?
Will Obama’s “charm offensive” with Congress pave the way for a comprehensive budget deal?
Will the legacies of his grandfather and uncle be a boon or a hindrance to George P. Bush’s political ambitions?
Will the court decision to strike down New York’s “large soda ban” deal a blow to broader “state paternalism” policies in the US?
Is the call to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act still an advantageous position for Republicans to stake out?
Will the United States’ economic growth survive the effects of the sequester?
Would the Supreme Court be justified in striking down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act?
Is Colorado turning into a reliably “blue” state?

International
Will Hugo Chavez’s death undermine the stability of the Cuban regime?
Do recent reforms indicate the erosion of Hungarian democracy?
Will President Sirleaf’s cabinet reshuffle be enough to put her government on the right track?
Can opposition forces topple the Syrian government without spurring chemical weapon attacks?
Will the proposed DMZ between Sudan and South Sudan be effective in preventing renewed military clashes?
Can Iran maintain its influence in Latin America in the absence of Hugo Chavez?
Will North Korea’s recent threats result in renewed military clashes with South Korea?
Will the recent Falkland Islands referendum vote have any impact on the dispute over islands?
Does the Italian bond market’s resilience in the face of political gridlock indicate that the worst of the Euro crisis lies in the past?
Does the recent crackdown on protests in Myanmar indicate that the government is slipping in its commitment to human rights?

Questions for the week of February 18, 2013

On February 19, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of February 18, 2013:

United States

Will Earth’s recent asteroid encounters provide the political will to boost funding for NASA?

Would a delay to the sequester leave any hope for a bipartisan budget compromise before the end of the year?

Will the fight between Karl Rove and the Tea Party be a boon or a bane to the Republican party’s electoral hopes in 2014?

Is McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission likely to bolster or undermine federal laws limiting election contributions?

Is the Obama Administration’s uncooperative relationship with the press undermining its claim to “unprecedented transparency?”

Is the Keystone XL pipeline on track for approval?

Will the merger of US Airways and American Airlines benefit customers?

Does Obama’s universal pre-school proposal have any hope of passing Congress?

Is immigration reform enough to repair the GOP’s relationship with Latino Americans?

Will the Obama Administration’s use of drones become an accepted part of executive power in the long term?

International

Will Afghanistan’s ban on airstrikes in residential areas hinder the ability of NATO forces to effectively combat the Taliban?

Do recent Chinese hacking scandals constitute the early rounds of a global cyber war?

Does Italy’s election threaten the country’s path to economic and fiscal stability?

Is there any hope for international action to cut down on the abuse of tax-haven countries?

Does the recent horse meat scandal indicate a need for improved food monitoring policies in Europe?

Will Putin’s embrace of nationalism further alienate Russia from the West?

Will North Korean provocation spark a new round of open conflict with South Korea?

Will Julia Gillard’s choice of a long campaign cycle work to her advantage?

Is Sri Lanka in danger of becoming an international pariah state?

Will Rousseff’s crusade against corruption in Brazil last beyond the end of her time in office?

Questions for the Week of January 28, 2013

On January 29, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of January 21, 2013:

United States

Have recent events caused permanent damage to the NRA’s influence over America’s gun control debate?

What should Republicans do to have a chance at retaking the Senate in 2014?

Will the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline be approved in 2013?

Who will benefit most from the coming fight over sequestration spending cuts: Republicans or Democrats?

Will the recent bipartisan Senate immigration proposal bring about a major immigration overhaul for the US?

What impact would a reversal of the Boy Scouts’ policy excluding gays have on the campaign for gay marriage in the US?

How will Obama’s 2nd term foreign policy be different under Kerry and Hagel?

Will Texas tax breaks for violating the ACA necessitate federal intervention to force the issue?

Will the tax changes of the fiscal cliff undermine support for a comprehensive overall of the US tax system?

After Roe v Wade’s 40th anniversary, has the US reached a stalemate on abortion policy?

International

Will Japanese efforts to combat deflation spark a currency war?

How would the legalization of gay marriage in France affect similar efforts in other European countries?

What can David Cameron do to ensure that Britons vote to remain in the EU in 2017?

Will France’s intervention in Mali deal a fatal blow to Boko Haram?

Will Netanyahu’s disappointing election performance result in a meeker ruling coalition for Israel?

Should Angela Merkel place her hopes for re-election on the success of the Free Democratic Party?

Will Chavez’s prolonged absence permanently undermine his authority in Venezuela?

Will Thein Sein’s reforms go far enough to allow Aang San Suu Kyi to win the presidency?

What can China do to prevent rising labor costs from disrupt China’s economic growth?

Is the Egyptian government in danger of experiencing a 2nd “Arab Spring?”

Extemp Questions for the Week of 1/14/2013

On January 15, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

United States

Has California finally gotten its perennial budget problems under control?

Will the Biden proposal bring about a meaningful change in US gun control policy?

Is the US likely to secure immunity for its troops in Afghanistan by 2014?

Should the US pursue legal action against Wal-Mart over allegations of bribery in Mexico?

Should Michelle Bachmann be removed from the House Intelligence Committee?

Will the death of Aaron Schwartz lead to restrictions on prosecutorial authority as it pertains to intellectual property law?

What impact will the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Moore v. Madigan have on gun control policy?

Should the Federal Reserve take a monetary policy which more aggressively targets unemployment figures?

Do influenza-related public health emergencies in New York and Boston reflect a need for stronger vaccine subsidies?

Will Obama’s latest high-profile argument with Netanyahu affect Chuck Hagel’s viability as a Defense Secretary candidate?

International

Will recent murders in France unravel hopes for peace talks between Turkey and the PKK?

How would a complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan alter the domestic political balance of Pakistan?

Will Russia’s ban on American adoptions have any lasting consequences for US-Russo relations?

What does Julian Assange stand to gain from his run for Australian public office?

Will French intervention in Mali speed up the deployment of an African force to the country?

What should the UK government do to quell growing protests in Belfast?

How can the international community disrupt Iran’s attempts to circumvent economic sanctions?

Does the Abe government have the right plan to put Japan on the path to economic prosperity?

Are Tunisian economic woes to blame for the nation’s continued trouble in building a stable government?

Do recent environmental complaints in China present more of an opportunity, or a threat, to the stability of China’s central government?

Extemp Questions for the Week of January 7, 2013

On January 9, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week of January 7, 2013.

United States

Has the US done enough to secure itself against cybersecurity threats?

Will “Americans for Responsible Solutions” prove an effective counterweight to the NRA?

Can Boehner rally House Republicans to present a united front in the debt ceiling negotiations?

Will Obama come to regret his decision to tap Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary?

Will the record-breaking heat of 2012 mark the turning point in US efforts to combat climate change?

Can AIG win its potential lawsuit against the US over the terms of its bailout?

Should Obama use the threat of a trillion dollar coin in the clash over the debt ceiling?

After publicly attacking Speaker Boehner, does Chris Christie still have a shot at winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2016?

Will state-level foot dragging delay the implementation of the Affordable Care Act?

What should the US do to cut down on offshore tax evasion?

International

Can China loosen its control over the Internet without losing its control over the country?

If the Brotherhood’s power in Egypt collapsed, who would be best-positioned to take power: secularists or Salafists?

Will the private American delegation visiting North Korea do more harm than good?

What does Chavez’s ill health portend for the future of Venezuela?

What steps must India take to combat its epidemic of violence against women?

Are international sanctions against Sudan needed to address the humanitarian crisis in South Kordofan?

Should NATO commit to joining the AU’s mission in northern Mali?

Does Japan’s plan to revise its defense policy raise the odds of military conflict in East Asia?

Will new reports of environmental damage put a stop to Canada’s bituminous sands oil boom?

Will the reforms spurred by the Euro crisis drive britain out of the EU?