# My job as a Republican **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 25, 2022, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838 "2022-06-25T14:29:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/101 "2022-06-28T17:50:12Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Excuse me, have you been looking at the actions of the actual US Republican Party leadership at all, rather than just talking to your Republican-voter friends about how they personally feel about things? Can you point to one instance of Trumpist leaders and Fox propagandists embracing a sound idea that came from a Democrat? The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/102 "2022-06-28T18:07:29Z")
Do please tell me about the support that the small minority of Republican Congresspeople received from Trumpist leaders and Fox propagandists when they voted for the 2021 Infrastructure Act. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/103 "2022-06-28T18:26:09Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Do you think that many of the left-wingers on this board would reject a sound idea just because it came from a Republican? In not, then why would you think Republicans would reject a sound idea just because it came from a Democrat? You can clearly see how this plays out. If Republicans are in charge, and they want to pass a bill that’s good for the nation, then the Democrats work with them. If the Democrats are in charge, the Republicans will refuse to support legislation, even though they will later take credit for the jobs and infrastructure it brought to their constituents. The Republicans are _not_ out to improve the country, they are out to _win_. To pwn the libs, and to hurt people who _deserve_ it. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Your answer will probably say more about you than it will about any Republican. This statement tells me that you like to poison wells. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/104 "2022-06-28T18:38:18Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Can you point to one instance of Trumpist leaders and Fox propagandists embracing a sound idea that came from a Democrat? > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 19 of 50 GOP Senators voted for this bill. 13 of 213 GOP Congressmen voted for this bill. This is embracing a sound idea? ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/105 "2022-06-28T18:55:44Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The Affordable Care act, popularly known as Obamacare, was based on a plan originally conceived by Mitt Romney. Before he was nominated to replace Antonin Scalia, Merrick Garland was put forward _by Republicans_ as a Democratic SC nominee that Republicans would find acceptable. On Merrick Garland, I do remember Republicans objecting that he wasn’t getting a hearing. Of course, I also remember other Republicans saying that Obama wimped out, or made a mistake by expecting Hillary to appoint an even more left-lean justice after she was elected. Looks like those Republicans made the right call about Obama. As far as the Affordable Care Act, I know some of my Democrat friends objected it to it, so it certainly wasn’t flawless. Maybe a policy that works for a small, relatively prosperous state has issues scaling up? However, I get your point. Merrick Garland was treated unfairly. There’s no longer any political benefit in acknowledging that publicly, but suggesting a return to civility in politics might be a good starting point for a moderate Republican. Likewise, US health care has been a mess for decades. The ACA didn’t sort out that mess. If the Republicans think there’s a better solution (a hybrid compromise between private insurance and medicare-for all?) then they should be searching for it, rather than just killing the Obama solution. Again, a starting point for Republican moderates. It will probably be a difficult effort to promote sensible, traditional Republican politics. But the alternatives are to surrender the Republican Party to the Trumpists, or even worse, give up to the Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/106 "2022-06-28T18:58:20Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > This statement tells me that you like to poison wells. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > The Republicans are _not_ out to improve the country, they are out to _win_. To pwn the libs, and to hurt people who _deserve_ it. This statement told me all I needed to know about your politics. The poison was there before you got near the well. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/107 "2022-06-28T19:21:25Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > On Merrick Garland, I do remember Republicans objecting that he wasn’t getting a hearing. Did they object to McConnel? If not then it doesn’t mean anything at all. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Of course, I also remember other Republicans saying that Obama wimped out, or made a mistake by expecting Hillary to appoint an even more left-lean justice after she was elected. Looks like those Republicans made the right call about Obama. They made the right call on him wimping out? What was he supposed to do, smack McConnell around until his nominee got a hearing? > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > As far as the Affordable Care Act, I know some of my Democrat friends objected it to it, so it certainly wasn’t flawless. And no one claimed it was. As mentioned, it was based on a conservative position, so was kinda flawed from the get-go. But then it got locked in half baked, and with no Republican support, it was what it was, and there was no way to change or improve it. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Maybe a policy that works for a small, relatively prosperous state has issues scaling up? No, that wasn’t the issue that people had with it. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > However, I get your point. Merrick Garland was treated unfairly. There’s no longer any political benefit in acknowledging that publicly, but suggesting a return to civility in politics might be a good starting point for a moderate Republican. Basically like getting a hit in, then calling for a truce. Again and again and again. How many times do you think that we should fall for that? > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Likewise, US health care has been a mess for decades. The ACA didn’t sort out that mess. ACA helped, but you are right, it is a mess that needs to be addressed seriously. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > If the Republicans think there’s a better solution (a hybrid compromise between private insurance and medicare-for all?) then they should be searching for it, rather than just killing the Obama solution. Right, which is why they haven’t done so. As stated, they don’t care about the American people, just about power. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > But the alternatives are to surrender the Republican Party to the Trumpists, or even worse, give up to the Democrats. This statement tells everyone everything they need to know about your politics. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > This statement told me all I needed to know about your politics. Yes, that I base them on reality, rather than on half remembered anecdotes from “friends” on both sides". Tell me, who is willing to hold the debt ceiling hostage to push through unpopular agendas? > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > The poison was there before you got near the well. Yes, that’s how a poisoned well works. You poisoned it before _anyone_ got near it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/108 "2022-06-28T19:22:12Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > On Merrick Garland, I do remember Republicans objecting that he wasn’t getting a hearing. And yet, he didn’t get one, did he? > [@](#): > > Of course, I also remember other Republicans saying that Obama wimped out, or made a mistake by expecting Hillary to appoint an even more left-lean justice after she was elected. Looks like those Republicans made the right call about Obama. The idea here is that Obama nominated a guy Republicans had specifically said they’d be okay with as a nominee, in the hopes that the Republicans would renege on that and hold the spot open in an unprecedented move, so that Hillary could then swoop in and nominate a radical leftist? There’s no universe where that theory makes any fucking sense at all. > [@](#): > > As far as the Affordable Care Act, I know some of my Democrat friends objected it to it, so it certainly wasn’t flawless. Maybe a policy that works for a small, relatively prosperous state has issues scaling up? I didn’t say it was “flawless,” and that wasn’t the question asked. ObamaCare was a Republican idea until a Democrat agreed with it, and then it was [literally a plot to murder old people.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_panel) Did a lot of Democrats not like this Republican health care scheme? Yes, obviously. But Democrats opposing a plan from a Republican, and then opposing the same plan from a Democrat, is not remotely the same thing as Republicans supporting a plan from a Republican, then opposing it when its put forward by a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/109 "2022-06-28T20:12:05Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > I[f] not, then why would you think Republicans would reject a sound idea just because it came from a Democrat? Because the Republicans refused to allow Merrick Garland to be appointed to the Supreme Court. EDIT: I should have kept reading before responding, but what the hell, it bears repeating. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/110 "2022-06-28T20:25:50Z")
…Filler… ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/111 "2022-06-28T20:32:48Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The party is on an inexorable path to fascist authoritarian rule. They demonstrate it with words and deeds every day. And it will remain so for the lifetimes of those here today. The only solution is to destroy the party and let new replacement parties arise. Funny, this is exactly what many Republicans say about Democrats. Difference is, our evidence is abundant and explicit, and theirs is “They tried to make me wear a mask.” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/112 "2022-06-28T22:41:36Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I wish! At best we’re called RINOs and not thought of as “real Republicans” You’re lucky. In Missouri, it’s huntin’ season! https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZZ2Y6fAq8o?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**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:** [June 29, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/113 "2022-06-29T02:19:16Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Funny, this is exactly what many Republicans say about Democrats. Difference is, our evidence is abundant and explicit, and theirs is “They tried to make me wear a mask.” … to stop me from killing people, which is MY RIGHT. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/114 "2022-06-29T12:07:09Z")
Instead of replying to your point-by-point rebuttal, and encouraging a threadshit, let me ask you a simple question. Do you sincerely think the Republican Party has turned into a proto-Fascist party? I obviously disagree with that idea and think it’s hyperbole from Trump/Republican haters. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/115 "2022-06-29T12:44:09Z")
> **off topic reply hidden by What Exit?** > > > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > > > Do you sincerely think the Republican Party has turned into a proto-Fascist party? > > I certainly have seen evidence that such is happening, yes. > > > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > > > I obviously disagree with that idea and think it’s hyperbole from Trump/Republican haters. > > And I think that your thought here is based on your hyperbole and projection of hate. I don’t hate Trump, nor Republicans. I have seen evidence of Trump committing crimes before running for office, while running for office, while holding office, and while trying to retain an office he lost. I have seen evidence of Republicans assisting in these crimes. They care more about personal power than the people that they represent, and are willing to harm the people of this country in order to get it. > > Do you prosecute a criminal because you hate them, or because of the crimes they have committed? > > It’s not hatred that causes me to see why Republicans, and even moreso, Trump Republicans, are bad for our country, it’s based on the actions they have taken. > > You have been conditioned to see everything from a tribal lense, to root for your team, no matter what, and to hate your opponent for the sole reason that they are your opponent, and you assume that everyone else has been as well. > > I look at the policies that are pushed by the different parties, and judge based on those. Those pushed by the Democrats work towards a more prosperous future for everyone, and those pushed by the Republicans work towards a less prosperous future for everyone, but with that prosperity in the hands of the few. > > If your actual policy desire if for the wealthy to get more wealthy at the expense of the rest of the country and the world, then Republican policies are for you. > > Republicans tend to get so caught up in the game, so enraptured with supporting their team, that they completely ignore what it actually _is_ that they are supporting . ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/116 "2022-06-29T12:48:07Z")
**Modnote** : enough of the hijack. That back and forth is not for this thread. If you wish to continue take it to a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/117 "2022-06-29T12:51:49Z")
> **Hid off-topic post** > > My opinion is that Mitch MacDonnell was wrong in not allowing a hearing and a vote for Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court justice. And it was hypocrisy for the Senate Republican leadership to state that Merrick Garland was a suitable nominee, and then not accept him. It was also incredibly partisan, and in the context of this thread, moderate Republicans should be rejecting that kind of partisanship in the future. Otherwise, they’re surrendering their party to the rightists. > > At the risk of a hijack, two other thoughts: > > 1. Obama could have forced a showdown on the nomination if he wanted to. He couldn’t have forced Senate hearings. But the Constitutional requirement is the “Advice and Consent of the Senate”. If he had wanted to, Obama could have bypassed the Senate hearings. For example, he could have written a letter to each Senator asking for their advice and consent. Then, unless he received a majority of replies denying consent, he could have stated that he had followed the Constitutional process and his nominee was confirmed. I think the main reason Obama didn’t pursue such an action was that he didn’t want a Constitutional crisis. But a secondary reason was that he thought he didn’t need to. He thought Hillary would win and would have a Senate majority behind her. Furthermore, creating such a crisis would be a distraction from Hillary’s campaign, and possibly harmful to it. Total speculation of my part. But it does seem like Obama just rolled over when MacDonnell refused to hold hearings instead of doing everything in his power to force the issue. > > 2. That Supreme Court nomination victory was a huge win for the Republicans. And as much as I’m arguing for bipartisanship and centrism, there’s no denying it was a victory. I think for both Republican centrists and Democrats, it’s counterproductive to try to bring up that defeat. Stating that the other side won by cheating only emphasises that you lost. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/118 "2022-06-29T13:19:47Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > At the risk of a hijack, two other thoughts: Is a pretty good clue, you probably need to not post it to the current thread. There is less latitude for hijacks in P&E and GD, especially when the thread is still fresh and active. You can start a new thread, there is also an option in the reply window to Reply as a Linked Topic. A nice feature. It is under the arrow button in the upper left corner of the reply box. ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/119 "2022-06-29T14:36:47Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > But it struck me that as Republican, it is my JOB to do whatever I can to pull my party back to the middle. Vote for and support all moderate (at least as close to moderate as I can) candidates but do more. I’m not sure what I will do next, but I know it needs to be more than voting. 1. Identify local candidates you can support. Volunteer a couple hours a week to make phone calls or do door-to-door canvassing on behalf of those candidates. Their campaign staff will be happy to guide you in this. 2. Identify nonlocal candidates you can support. See if they have a postcard campaign element; if so, they will supply you with postcards, a suggested script, and a list of voter names/addresses to whom you can direct your postcards. Also, sign up to make phone calls on behalf of the candidate. 3. Sign up to be an election judge. This won’t by itself help the candidates you prefer, but it will help maintain election security and put you in a position to more effectively counter claims that the election was rigged. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838/120 "2022-06-29T15:38:17Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > But it struck me that as Republican, it is my JOB to do whatever I can to pull my party back to the middle. At what point is it no longer your party? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838.md?page=7)