# GOP Obstructionism reaches new heights **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 1, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550 "2010-12-01T16:44:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/21 "2010-12-02T00:52:37Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Anyone doubt me now that Republicans are playing politics with nuclear weapons and childhood health? To be fair, the link in the OP was about a pledge by Republicans in the Senate to procedurally block all legislation except fiscal matters. The START treaty is not affected; as a treaty it comes to the Senate floor under different rules than legislation (I guess). And my link about the child nutrition bill was about Republicans in the House. That said, they are both relevant to a discussion about GOP obstructionism. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/22 "2010-12-02T00:54:17Z")
> [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > It’s not an unreasonable move. They don’t think regulating school nutrition is a federal matter. I can’t say I care much either way. They thought it was when they classified ketchup as a vegetable. We already have a national school lunch program that dictates nutritional content. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/23 "2010-12-02T00:59:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > To be fair, the link in the OP was about a pledge by Republicans in the Senate to procedurally block all legislation except fiscal matters. The START treaty is not affected; as a treaty it comes to the Senate floor under different rules than legislation (I guess). And my link about the child nutrition bill was about Republicans in the House. > > That said, they are both relevant to a discussion about GOP obstructionism. Ahh I see, some ignorance fought, but the Senate isn’t exactly filibuster proof, or are there different procedures for treaties? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/24 "2010-12-02T01:04:25Z")
> [@hamlet](#): > > **i have tens of milions of dollars, lots of hot sex with supermodels, a brand new tesla roadster, and my very own island country.** Is 8 the largest size? Damn. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/25 "2010-12-02T01:16:37Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > They thought it was when they classified ketchup as a vegetable. We already have a national school lunch program that dictates nutritional content. Sure, but the Republicans currently in office are not bound to agree with it. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/26 "2010-12-02T01:32:11Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Ahh I see, some ignorance fought, but the Senate isn’t exactly filibuster proof, or are there different procedures for treaties? Treaties need 67 votes to be ratified. The link I posted in my first reply deals with Jon Kyl (R-AZ) threatening to give New START the same treatment as McConnell is doing for everything else. I don’t know how much of a chance there is of getting 33 votes against it, but when you’re playing around with nukes on the line in order to blow $700 billion on tax cuts for the rich, I’m of the opinion that any chance is something to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/27 "2010-12-02T01:40:14Z")
To put this as simply as possible: The Republicans are saying: “Let those Americans who make in excess of $250,000 per year continue to pay a lowered tax rate, or we will go on strike, down tools and refuse to do our jobs, even if it means that the country will be damaged as a result. We don’t care. The continuation of a tax break for those making over a quarter million dollars a year is the single most important thing for the country at this time, and is of absolutely critical importance.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/28 "2010-12-02T01:51:19Z")
I thought that _was_ their job. The nation has spoken, and apparently wants its elected officials to act like a bunch of six year olds. ---
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/29 "2010-12-02T02:00:05Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Yeah, those dastardly Republicans! How dare they push hard to do what they were electd to do and force an absolutel focus on fiscal issues, just like people damnded of them! The _swine_! People don’t give a shit about fiscal issues unless someone shouts it really loud a bunch of times and then shoves a microphone in their face. They care about jobs. Republicans would never allow a jobs bill to come to the table, not that the Democrats are even trying. They’re blocking the next best thing though (further unemployment extensions.) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/30 "2010-12-02T02:56:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s not an unreasonable move. They don’t think regulating school nutrition is a federal matter. I can’t say I care much either way. Isn’t that regulating and _funding_? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/31 "2010-12-02T03:55:33Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Is 8 the largest size? Damn. No. In memory is a 14 point “cunt”. In red. RED in 15 RED in 7 Apparently there is no difference now between size 7 and 14. I wonder when that changed. RED in 6 RED in 5 RED in 14 RED in 7 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/32 "2010-12-02T04:00:21Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Yeah, those dastardly Republicans! How dare they push hard to do what they were electd to do and force an absolutel focus on fiscal issues, just like people damnded of them! The _swine_! This isn’t what they were elected to do. They were elected to do their fucking jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/33 "2010-12-02T04:02:29Z")
I apologize. I got carried away with testing (which properly belongs in ATMB) and screwed up the testing anyway. Nobody tell work, OK? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/34 "2010-12-02T04:08:34Z")
Mommy Frank is fucking with the fonts again! ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/35 "2010-12-02T04:31:58Z")
Damn, I agree with Sam Stone on a political issue. It’s a sign of the apocalypse. 🙂 As a committed independant voter that wants to see some fiscal responsibility, I’m at the stage of wanting the government shut down and a mass movement to rat fuck the Republican party. This is just insane. And on a good year I am in the highest bracket. Shit, I grew up missionary poor, people making a quarter of a million dollars should be grateful for the opportunity to pay the taxes. I mean, what 98% of all Americans and 99% of the global population think it would be a nice problem to have. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/36 "2010-12-02T04:38:06Z")
So what happened to all the Election Night speeches from the GOP leadership about how they’d learned their lesson, been given a second chance, and would act responsibly on behalf of the Merkin Pipple? It’s still a month before the swearings-in! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/37 "2010-12-02T05:13:04Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Mommy > Frank is fucking with the fonts again! This post has been-- aww never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/38 "2010-12-02T05:37:32Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > a 14 point “cunt” Damn, I’ve never even seen one with antlers. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/39 "2010-12-02T09:09:08Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > Great. Let the Bush tax cuts expire. I didn’t think that it was going to be politically possible to do that, but if we can’t get anything done, then we’ll just have to let the tax cuts expire, and it will be the Republicans’ fault. Got it in one. Two can play at this game. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550/40 "2010-12-02T09:55:29Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > “Let those Americans who make in excess of $250,000 per year continue to pay a lowered tax rate, or we will go on strike, down tools and refuse to do our jobs, even if it means that the country will be damaged as a result. We don’t care. The continuation of a tax break for those making over a quarter million dollars a year is the single most important thing for the country at this time, and is of absolutely critical importance.” You gotta give 'em that, a strike by the inessential for the benefit of the over-privileged is a novel idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights/562550.md?page=3)