# immoral Republicans **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 12, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709 "2004-07-12T15:29:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/1 "2004-07-12T15:29:37Z")
On another board there is a topic called Can Christians be Democrats. The answer is no, because Democrat stand for everything immoral. I want a list of Republicans who have been immoral. There are probably lots. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/2 "2004-07-12T15:46:44Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > On another board there is a topic called Can Christians be Democrats. > The answer is no, because Democrat stand for everything immoral. That’s a rather remarkable statement. In general, Democrats seem to exemplify a great many of Christ’s teachings to a greater extent that Republicans do. Charity to those less fortunate and social justice programs are hallmarks of the Democratic platform, and seem to fit in perfectly with Christ’s teachings (and Paul’s exhortations to early Christian communities to live a communal and helping lifestyle. This is not to suggest that Republicans are against either social justice or charity, simply that Democrats seem to exemplify these virtues in a much more direct and obvious fashion. I’d suggest the argument is better defeated on those grounds, rather than showing a list of “immoral” Republicans. Such a list doesn’t challenge the statement, after all; it merely shows individuals that are flawed. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/3 "2004-07-12T15:55:08Z")
I don’t think it will be possible to sway anyone that holds such an arrogant stance. I’ve posted to similar boards before and they typically are nothing more than self righteous circle jerks. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/4 "2004-07-12T16:04:54Z")
Thanks, Bricker. Thats was a reasoned response. I did post that, but I expect they will say that was the Old Democratic party. Nowadays its all about promoting killing the unborn. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/5 "2004-07-12T16:29:53Z")
**Oh, My God! NO!!!** Oh, I’m sorry. I thought it said _immortal_ Republicans. [Emily Litella] Never mind! [/Emily Litella] ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/6 "2004-07-12T16:49:41Z")
Here’s a clue for those folks: if the person is a politician, then they are 90 percent likely to be immoral, regardless of party affiliation. But here’s a couple of Republican examples off the top of my head: Newt Gingrich divorced his wife while she was in the hospital with cancer, IIRC. That’s pretty immoral IMO. (On second thought, perhaps getting divorced from Newt might have been a wonderful gift…) Nixon lied about Watergate, didn’t he? He covered it up at least, that has to be considered immoral. Most republican pundits like Rush, Anne Coulter, Bill O’Reilly have “stretched the truth” on occasion (and yes, lefty pundits, too). I personally think that W Bush misled the country to gain support for his war, which is about as immoral as it gets. I doubt you will make any ground convicing these folks of that, even if you agree with that point of view. Finding immoral behavior from politicians is like shooting fish in a barrel, even if you limit yourself to just a one-party barrel. Oh, and if you pursue this further, expect the “No True Scotsman” fallacy. You’ll prove beyond a shadow of doubt that some Republican is immoral, and somebody will say “Oh, he wasn’t a TRUE Republican…”. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/7 "2004-07-12T17:48:40Z")
Just a few other obvious ones: Spiro Agnew (resigned because of kickbacks) Jack Ryan (pervert) Joseph McCarthy (just plain morally impaired) ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/8 "2004-07-12T18:09:44Z")
Former senator Dave Durenberger (R-MN) was centured by the Senate for billing his stays at a condo that he owned. Of course, killing by reckless driving is the perview of former senator Bill Janklow (R-SD). But really, it’ll just turn into a pissing contest, because there are plenty of Democrats have spent time in the lockup. For each Republican you name, they can come up with a Dem. Better to brush up on your logic skills and point out fallacies of there arguments and stake a claim on a well reasoned argument. But it will feel better to just call them a bunch of poopy heads and never return. Thus acheiving victory. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/9 "2004-07-12T19:10:48Z")
Really, you’ve been hanging out here for a good bit. You should be able to carve them up. Go get 'em! Henry Hyde Congress, affair. (Just to pile on) ---
**Author:** ![Fox\_Paws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@Fox\_Paws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fox_Paws)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/10 "2004-07-12T19:22:40Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Here’s a clue for those folks: if the person is a politician, then they are 90 percent likely to be immoral, regardless of party affiliation. :smack: > [@vanilla](#): > > On another board there is a topic called Can Christians be Democrats. > The answer is no, because Democrat stand for everything immoral. > > I want a list of Republicans who have been immoral. > There are probably lots. What could you possibly expect to get out of participating in a discussion like that? :rolleyes: Republicans are people. Democrats are people. People, with very few (if any) exceptions, are immoral now and then (where the frequency of “now and then” varies substantially by person). You want a list of Republicans who have been immoral? Try: all of 'em. Same for Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/11 "2004-07-12T21:38:23Z")
Victory Over the Poopy Heads! 04! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/12 "2004-07-12T21:50:01Z")
Dan Burton fathered a child by his mistress. Rudy Guiliani cheated on his wife. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/13 "2004-07-12T22:04:31Z")
Honestly, **vanilla** , for your own sanity, just leave this one alone. I know this type of debate. My mother and I engage in it on a regular basis. “Mom, Democrats are people too. But at least they believe in standing up and providing for their lesser man…” “NO THEY KILL BABIES!” “…Mom, they don’t kill babies, they just don’t think that it’s a decision that government should be involved in…” “AND THEY MARRY THE GAYS!” “Mom, they’re not marrying the gays. They gays are marrying eachother. And besides–” “I don’t want to hear any more about this. They’re killing innocent babies and condoning homosexuality and Bush is just trying to do the right thing and of course everyone is killing eachother… they’ll always kill eachother until God comes back and makes everything right.” The idea behind this is that everything is going to hell in a handbasket ANYWAY, so we might as well stick behind “Christian” politicians so that when God comes back, he’ll take us out of this place before stuff goes from bad to worse. Just… just don’t even try. It will only break your heart. ---
**Author:** ![Legolamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@Legolamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legolamb)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/14 "2004-07-12T23:53:36Z")
Are you just talking about Republican politicians or those affiliated with the party too? Only I’m pretty sure Ken Lay would count as immoral. Saying that, I totally agree with **malkavia**. If they come up with arguments like “all Democrats stand for everything immoral” then there’s going to be no reasoning with them. They have been lost to the ways of ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/15 "2004-07-13T01:15:46Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s a rather remarkable statement. In general, Democrats seem to exemplify a great many of Christ’s teachings to a greater extent that Republicans do. Charity to those less fortunate and social justice programs are hallmarks of the Democratic platform, and seem to fit in perfectly with Christ’s teachings (and Paul’s exhortations to early Christian communities to live a communal and helping lifestyle. > > \ > > - Rick I fear replying because I don’t wish to start a debate - because this is IMHO and well, I don’t care that much… 🙂 But I’m not sure I agree. I have always felt that if people _really_ believed in charity, there would be no need for welfare - because everyone would give enough. Instead, we are forced to give via tax. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/16 "2004-07-13T01:31:52Z")
I think the whole “Immoral Democrats” thing arose from the simple fact that, well, most die-hard Christians are Republicans, and they’re the ones that actually give a damn about morality. As far as I can tell, many - if not most - Democrats hold the opinion of, say, “What business is it of mine if they have sex before marriage?” or what-not. Kinda like a self-fulfilling prophecy. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/17 "2004-07-13T02:48:03Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > I think the whole “Immoral Democrats” thing arose from the simple fact that, well, most die-hard Christians are Republicans, and they’re the ones that actually give a damn about morality. As far as I can tell, many - if not most - Democrats hold the opinion of, say, “What business is it of mine if they have sex before marriage?” or what-not. And still, it’s easier to count the line of divorcees that Republican serial husbands leave behind. It seems that the Republican line of “my own pleasure above all” clashes dramatically to the traditional morality they like to play lip service to. Meanwhile, the Democratic “I’m not the only person in the world who exists” ideology draws a “live and let live” philosophy from the mouth while encouraging more socially responsible behavior. IMO, actions speak louder than words. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/18 "2004-07-13T03:09:39Z")
I’m not sure now-theres a link by someone who says the choice is between Marxism and freedom. And something about Hillary Clinton(D-Cuba) :smack: 😛 :dubious: No way I’m not voting Democrat this year. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/19 "2004-07-13T04:00:31Z")
I think a much better approach is to go the opposite of the OPs thinking and state a few moral/Christian Democrats, e.g., James Earl Carter. There hasn’t been a Rep. Pres. since Ike that could come anywhere close to him in morality. The guy taught Sunday school! ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709/20 "2004-07-13T04:15:30Z")
My guess would be they would think Carter treasonous (I read that in some right wing nuts book) since becoming a former president. Why bother?(isn’t that a routine by Bette Midler anyway?) 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoral-republicans/254709.md?page=2)