Top Debate-Oriented Research Sites

by David Beers

The University of Kansas has maintained one of the best collections of basic research links on the NFL policy debate topic for many years. Case-specific Research Sites  Deregulate Encryption Technology  Economist David Friedman makes a compelling case that the convergence of three computer technologies, public key encryption, networking, and virtual reality, will increase privacy in ways that create a radically freer society. As the economy moves rapidly online, strong encryption will make it nearly impossible for government to regulate voluntary exchanges between individuals, significantly reducing the scope for government regulation and taxation. Although some criminal transactions will be easier to hide from law enforcement, Friedman concludes that the means for protecting oneself from crime will be enhanced as well. In any case, attempts by government to regulate strong encryption do more to prevent the general public from enjoying the protection of strong encryption than they do to stopping crime or terrorism. Visit for a copy of the article. This article has excellent evidence for a high impact deregulation plan. Other writings by Friedman (including several published on the same website) make the case that the radically free society he envisions will be superior to the government regulated society that exists today. An excellent collection of dozens of articles defending the deregulation of strong chnology can be found at www.free-market.net/.encryption te Editor Robert Knautz provides a good introduction to the issue and the links are annotated with handy summaries so that it is easy to browse through and find what you want.  Social Security Privatization  Allowing citizens to opt out of the government Social Security program in favor of private alternatives gives them an avenue to protect personal data which is easily retrieved today through their Social Security number. In addition to placing a check on abuses by government and "identity thieves," privatization provides great economic and social advantages. For a good collection of pro-privatization articles that address these auxiliary advantages, check out . Many of these are not easily found elsewhere on the web   Medical IRAs for Greater Health Privacy Most health care costs are paid not by patients, but by third parties such as insurers and government. As health care costs have skyrocketed, these third parties have demanded detailed databases of information that they can use to monitor and control the decisions you and your doctor make about the care you receive. Medical IRAs give patients the financial power to enter the health care market with their own money, bypassing in most cases the interference of third party payers and restoring the confidentiality of patientsí health records. The benefits to the quality and affordability of care are very significant. The National Center for Policy Analysis offers the most extensive online library documenting the harms of the current health care system and the advantages of expanded access to Medical IRAs (also known as Medical Savings Accounts). Check out the following links for excellent evidence on a Medical IRA affirmative. http://www.ncpa.org/pi/health/hedex4.html http://www.ncpa.org/w/w14.html http://www.ncpa.org/pi/health/sept98d.html http://www.ncpa.org/health/pdh/jan98p.html