Why have I never stopped at East Richmond?
    8+

    22 years of riding trains, not once have I stopped there. It only saves 5 minutes to skip it. Why does nearly every train skip it?

    Asked by:
    @TimToGetAWatch
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    Is the crisis of global markets too far gone?
    0

    Because the EU is in turmoil, countries are being held to ransom by market volatility and austerity is fueling social unrest.

    Asked by:
    Soraya
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    How to end wars and conflicts?
    1+

    Because there have always been wars and conflicts in human histories, the world until now and it becomes worse and worse now without hope to end it.

    Asked by:
    Anchansiri Sriyananda
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    Why does Australia have such a rigid two party political system?
    13+

    In Australia we’ve got the dominant view that hung parliaments and large cross benches are ‘unworkable’ and ‘feral’. Why? In Europe hung parliaments are normal, and there are often many parties represented in the parliament.

    Would we benefit from more diverse parties and viewpoints in parliament?

    Asked by:
    @CaseyBriggs
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    Why can’t we have a government that can budget properly and have a caring attitude to the needy at the same time?
    7+
    Asked by:
    Kevin Blyth
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    How can democracies remain democratic but become (a) less adversarial (b) more efficient?
    1+

    Democracies have little value unless the populace participates. I (probably like many others) am put off from active participation and my cynicism is fed, by the cumbersome nature of government and the lack of cooperation between parties. Does a ‘party system’ have to translate into the circus that we witness in our parliaments?

    Asked by:
    @Simon19493291
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    Why do some see political correctness as a synonym for disingenuousness?
    5+

    Perhaps like Impressionism before it, political correctness will be a useful, neutral shorthand for a way of seeing the world. Until then, it’s a insult thrown across Xmas dinner tables and in the opinion pages of The Australian. ‘You’re just being politically correct’ pointedly suggests that a view is being parroted, that is it not honestly held. Why are attempts, no doubt in my case faltering and inexpertly argued, assumed to be disingenuous? What does this do except reinforce an underlying idea that bigotry, or the ugly aspects of the Id, are not only raw but somehow better for being honest?

    Asked by:
    @Viragohaus
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    Why are people asked on television ‘what are you going to spend the money on’?
    3+

    Is the question ever answered well? Is the question ever answered honestly? Is it anyone’s damn business? My boss doesn’t ask me when he gives me my paycheck.

    Asked by:
    @nightlightguy
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    How would our lives change if we talked about death as much as we talk about birth?
    13+

    Because I believe that talking about death can be life-changing and life-affirming.

    Asked by:
    Karin
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    Yanis Varoufakis, if you have the opportunity to become finance minister again with SYRIZA, would you accept this or not?
    3+

    i made this question because i would like to see Yanis+SYRIZA again as they was.

    Asked by:
    Joey
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    What is the best way to address the ice epidemic?
    7+

    Regional areas in particular are being devastated and families are being torn apart. What is the heart of the issue? Boredom? A lack of other outlets in regional areas?

    Asked by:
    @amybairstow
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    Should we bring back conscription?
    3+

    Some countries use a year of compulsory military service as a rite of passage for young adults. Looking at our 18 year olds today, some might say we need to bring in this kind of enforced ‘gap year’ for the good of the individual and of our whole society. And of course, it would strengthen the country militarily to have a national service corps. But at what cost? Would this be worth it?

    Asked by:
    Deb
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    How can we foster a culture of respectful, critical, fruitful conversation on important social issues where we feel strongly and disagree?
    30+

    Public discourse on politically contested matters—like climate change, refugees, distribution of resources, etc.—seems to be at a low ebb. We need to find ways to address these issues constructively if we are to have any hope of meeting the challenges of the coming years. But how can we be a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem?

    Asked by:
    @consequently
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