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Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times
Updated December 20, 2016 3:25 PM
Can Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Work?
While few question the need for such investment, many have questioned how he would finance it and what it would fund.
Recent Discussions
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December 19, 2016
Donald Trump and the C.I.A.
Is skepticism of an agency that's made mistakes wise or dangerous?
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December 14, 2016
Can Trump Get Tough With China?
President-elect Trump has said the U.S. is too accommodating to China and that the One China policy could be negotiable.
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December 13, 2016
The Most Talked-About Debates of 2016
Here are the 10 discussions that got the most readers to weigh in with their comments.
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December 12, 2016
Can Trump and His Team Fix Obamacare?
Are Republican plans to repeal and replace, or simply delay, health care law the right approach?
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December 9, 2016
Will Trump Find the E.P.A. Isn’t Just for Tree Huggers?
Will the president-elect and his new environmental head have public support if they try to dismantle regulations?
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December 8, 2016
Is It Fair to Ban Public Housing Tenants From Smoking?
Federal officials enacted such a ban to protect public health but, in doing so, restricted what tenants could do in their own …
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December 7, 2016
Can Congress Lift the Presidential Conflict of Interest Exemption?
Federal law exempts Donald Trump from financial conflict of interest statutes. Should that change?
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December 6, 2016
Is It Wrong to Have a General Run the Pentagon?
The law bars officers from being defense secretary for seven years after service. For Gen. James Mattis, Congress must pass a waiver.
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December 5, 2016
Is Artificial Intelligence Taking Over Our Lives?
From driverless cars and smart robots to drones and computer chess champions, is technology making our lives better?
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December 1, 2016
Do Sanctuary Cities Have a Right to Defy Trump?
Many major U.S. cities will shield immigrants from severe federal policy, despite President-elect Trump's threats to strip funding.
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November 29, 2016
Does Medicare Need to Be Reformed?
Congressional Republicans are eager to move forward with their longtime goal of privatizing the government health care program for the elderly.
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November 28, 2016
Is Digital Connectedness Good or Bad for People?
People of all ages are spending more and more time online. Does this trend improve lives or hurt them?
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November 23, 2016
Is Criticism of Identity Politics Racist or Long Overdue?
Some complain of being unfairly accused of bigotry. Others say discrimination needs to be directly addressed.
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November 22, 2016
How to Stop the Spread of Fake News
What can social media companies do to prevent misinformation from proliferating online?
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November 21, 2016
Should the President Be Able to Block You on Twitter?
One way of avoiding offensive people on Twitter is to block them from following you. Should a president be able to do …
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November 18, 2016
Islam, Extremism and Civil Liberties
How will the nation respond to fears of Islamist violence?
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November 17, 2016
Would Trump’s Foreign Business Ties Be Constitutional?
For the first time, a U.S. president will have extensive business ties around the world.
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November 16, 2016
Should the Electoral College Be Abolished?
Once again, the U.S. is faced with a president-elect who has won the electoral votes but not the popular vote.
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November 15, 2016
Should President Obama Pardon Hillary Clinton?
In an interview on “60 Minutes,” President-elect Donald Trump said he had not decided whether to prosecute Hillary Clinton.
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November 14, 2016
Should the Government Bring Back Trust-Busting?
Is a concentration of wealth in monopolies a threat to democracy?
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November 9, 2016
The Future of the Democratic Party
What does the Democratic Party need to do to move forward, attract alienated voters and remain relevant?
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November 7, 2016
Overturning Election Day Tradition
What's the most sensible way to make it easier and more likely for people to cast their ballots on the day America …
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November 4, 2016
Are Voting Booth Selfies Fun or Dangerous?
By now you’ve heard about Justin Timberlake’s photograph at his polling station. Was he wrong to snap the pic?
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November 3, 2016
Why Are Ballot Measures So Confusing?
Voters are often mixed up by the opaque language they face in the polling booth.
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November 2, 2016
Taking On Militants After Acquittals in an Armed Standoff
What effect will militia members' court victory have on future confrontations?
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October 31, 2016
The Moveable Curbside Feast
Should New York and other cities permit more food vendors?
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October 26, 2016
A Nuclear Arsenal Upgrade
What should the trillion-dollar modernization of the U.S. reserve of nuclear weapons look like?
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October 25, 2016
Is Trump Right About Putin?
Should the United States be less hawkish toward Russia?
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October 24, 2016
Silicon Valley Goes to Washington
Tech companies are spending more on lobbying and hiring high-profile government officials, and the revolving door goes both ways.
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October 21, 2016
Does ISIS Need Territory to Survive?
A military offensive on Mosul, the Islamic States's last major stronghold in Iraq, is underway. Will losing the city hurt the militants?
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