The Future Topic Lists...with Predictions

This page has two sections: The first list shows the topics that will be debated for the duration of 1999, so just scroll down to see that list. The second list--at the bottom of the page--which is a countdown from 10 to 1, is a list of topics that will be debated in the years 2000 and 2001. That is the FUTURE TOPIC LIST.

Here is a printable list of the topics if you don't like to waste paper. It's a lot shorter than this page.

Possible Topics for 1999

The #1 topic on this list is what we believe to be the best overall topic, the #2 is our second choice, and so on. The number one choice on this list is actually the fourth overall from a list of ten, but three have already been debated and it would be pointless for me to type these resolutions out. The number one choice on this list--the real choice, not our prediction--will be debated in November and December, while the number two choice from this list will be debated in September and October (if your district actually does LD Debate that early). With that in mind, here's the list:

7. When they conflict, Native American sovereignty ought to take precedence over state and/or National Sovereignty.

It would be very surprising if this topic were chosen for two reasons: 1) resolutions that focus on the rights of a culture or nationality are not chosen, because they're simply too controversial and have too many biases, and 2) the AND/OR tag would overcomplicate any debate. (Novices, trust us, debates get that complex!)

6. The right of an individual to emigrate ought to be valued above a nation's right to limit immigration.

I can just imagine a debate being ruined because a judge doesn't know if the Affirmative said "immigration" or "emigration". Sure, the idea's nice, but the words are just too similar--and therefore confusing--to be repeated and said for 40 minutes.

5. The need for organ donations justifies prioritizing the rights of the living above the rights of the deceased.

The fact that no one has ever spoken to a dead person and asked them what their rights are makes this resolution impossible (although, with that movie THE SIXTH SENSE, in theaters Aug.6, anything's possible). The rights of a cadaver are just too blurry and a tad bit abstract to be debated. It would be like debating religion--some things, like the rights of the deceased, will forever be unknown.

4. When they conflict, respect for cultural sensitivity ought to be valued above commercial use of free speech.

Is it right to make a profit off of the Taco Bell dog, who speaks with an accent that intrigues some and infuriates others? "Yo quiero Taco Bell?"--is it a funny saying or an insult that should make us put that dumb dog to sleep? Sure, the Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, and others come to mind, making this a topic without a lack of information. However, the use of wording having to do with the word "cultural" keeps this topic from being higher on the list.

3. The use of economic sanctions to achieve U.S. Foreign Policy goals is moral.

See?! Saddam Hussein can be used in debate!!! Wait a minute, is that really possible? I guess so. However, the topic, while likely, is too vague for LD Prep to put it in the top 2 on this list. Hypothetical examples could be argued, but then again, so could anything ranging from Hussein in Iraq to (insert a country name here, whether or not you want to make a joke), so it's not our favorite choice.

2. Prioritizing community needs above moral considerations justifies the legalization of gambling.

Sure, gambling is also controversial, as some like to play the Lotto, others like to play the slots, and others like to play "stay away!", but we like it. It compares needs to considerations, providing the grounds for some good LD Debate (if there is such a thing). Also, the ties between the community and the individual would need to be made in a good round, so the complexity level is upped a notch. The requirement for connections to be made in a solid round makes this topic one of our favorites.

1. Government limitations on political campaign spending are antithetical to democratic ideals.

Just what is a democratic ideal? And what type of government limitations are we talking about? And what campaigns are we talking about? Should we arrest Ross Perot, take all of his money, and use it to give all honest, working Americans, a 2% tax cut? The answer to that last question is YES. But the first three need to be answered in a debate round, which provides an excellent opportunity for clash. In other words, expect to be debating this topic in the next few months.

Future Topic List (for the 2000-2001 seasons)

Here are the rules: the coaches vote for their favorite topics on this list. The first choice is debated at nationals (so unless you're really good, forget debating that topic). The second choice is debated in March and April, which is, for some states like Ohio, the State Tournament topic. The third most popular choice is debated in January-February. The fourth best choice is debated in November-December, and the fifth choice is debated in September-October. Those are the rules; we don't make them, we just follow them. Anyway, here's the list of our predictions.

The Future Topic Lists...with Predictions

Possible Topics for 1999

7. When they conflict, Native American sovereignty ought to take precedence over state and/or National Sovereignty.

6. The right of an individual to emigrate ought to be valued above a nation's right to limit immigration.

5. The need for organ donations justifies prioritizing the rights of the living above the rights of the deceased.

4. When they conflict, respect for cultural sensitivity ought to be valued above commercial use of free speech.

3. The use of economic sanctions to achieve U.S. Foreign Policy goals is moral.

2. Prioritizing community needs above moral considerations justifies the legalization of gambling.

1. Government limitations on political campaign spending are antithetical to democratic ideals.

Future Topic List (for the 2000-2001 seasons)

10. That the demands of the work environment justify an employer's violation of employees' privacy.

9. When they conflict, the means ought to be prioritized above the ends in making governmental policy.

8. A just society ought to use affirmative action programs to promote equality.

7. Violent juvenile offenders ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.

6. In America, government provision of welfare for the poor ought to take priority over individual economic freedom.

5. Judicial activism ought to be valued above strict constructionism as the basis for US Supreme Court decisions.

4. That colleges and universities have a moral obligation to prohibit the public expression of hate speech on their campuses.

3. The intervention of one nation in the domestic affairs of another nation is morally justified.

2. Establishing a safe educational environment in grades K-12 justifies infringement of students' civil liberties.

1. Inaction in the face of injustice makes an individual morally culpable.