Resolved: On balance, government employee labor unions have a positive impact on the United States.

“Those who favored an overhaul spent more on advertising than those who opposed it — $99.5 million compared with $85 million, Mr. Tracey said. (The rest was spent on peripheral issues in the health care debate without advocating for or against the overall effort.)”

Full Article

If you haven’t noticed, I enjoy finding the cheesiest pictures possible for my posts.

Description of Affirmative Action
Origins of Affirmative Action

This is a pretty interesting choice considering affirmative actions hasn’t exactly been a hot topic in the news. Then again, neither are a lot of NFL Public Forum debate topics.

I imagine the idea surrounding the topic was to indirectly bring up the ‘race’ debate about whether or not we are a post-racial country since the election of Obama.

The February topic (Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.) is one of those issues which seems to carry a natural bias in to a debate round.  Lobbyists often get branded as slimy tricksters, secretly orchestrating conspiracies and making millions in the process.

The truth is that lobbying is like any industry in America; most people do it the right way and a minority abuse the rules.  Lobbying infractions are just much more heavily scrutinized because of their connection to the madness that is Washington, D.C.

Lobbyists are experts in government and span a tremendously diverse range of different expertise.  As a citizen, you are being lobbied for to some degree.  Yes, the oil companies have lobbying firms but so do the schools.  Lobbying can’t do more harm than good because it’s an essential commodity like liberty and democracy, they will always be inherently good.

The focus of discussion should be on how to strictly enforce the already established code of ethics and change the environment in Washington.  If we can put pressure on the people whose job it is watch for violations and ensure they don’t look the other way; the culture will naturally become more conservative in terms of willingness to break the law.  If the majority of people follow the rules, the system will work.

For the first year, the Winter Classic has become a national qualifier for the Tournament of Champions.  The Tournament of Champions is the premier invitational debate tournament in the country and we are pleased to be part of it. The winners of the Midwest Classic will have the opportunity to compete in the 2010 TOC, May 1-3 in Lexington, Kentucky.  Find out more information about the TOC here.

Now that January Public Forum is wrapping up, don’t forget to buy the February file which looks at whether or not organized political lobbying is harmful.  The file is available for immediate purchase and download here on the website, over on the left side.

If you purchase our February file you will receive it along with the update as soon as it is released. Right now, the plan is to release the updated file January 31st. Just check out our online store to grab the file and tear them (the competition) up in February.

Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.

Also, if you are interested in being part of the most competitive speech and debate tournament, check out The Great Midwest Public Forum Classic. The tournament is hosted by Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri January 29-30, 2010. The tournament has been selected as one of 12 final round qualifiers for the Tournament of Champions (TOC), the most competitive invitational tournament in the nation.

January Topic
Resolved: President Obama’s plan for increasing troops in Afghanistan is in the United States’ best interest.

Violence in Afghanistan is set to rise in 2010

Attack on CIA in Afghanistan is worst since 1983

Obama on his own in selling the war surge

This could be a key piece of evidence if you choose to discuss public opinion on the Pro side.

CNN Article