# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 4) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 22, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678 "2025-02-22T21:08:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 203
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4041 "2026-04-12T12:51:59Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I read that to mean she wants interest on boat loans to be tax deductible. Yes, that’s what it is. I originally assumed this was meant as a end run around the billionaire tax (where loans would be taxed like income to close another loophole), but looking at it, it’s only on the first $10,000 in interest and only for people making less than $100,000/yr. That seems, at least to me, as something meant to sell more boats. Sure, the boat making business owners will see more income, but at least it’s not like she’s trying to hand billionaires another billion dollars. Though it is kind of annoying that she framed it as helping the average South Carolina Resident, that’s also buying a boat, by providing them with this “critical tax relief”. If you are in critical need of tax relief, maybe don’t buy a boat. I’m not trying to defend her, but it doesn’t seem all that different than the government allowing businesses to deduct tax and/or fully depreciate vehicles in one year as a way to get businesses to buy more vehicles. But, to be clear, this is just what I’m getting from some quick poking around online and not going much deeper than that. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m unwilling to do any searching that might increase the supply of MAGA stupidity delivered to me, so researching what she’s actually saying or doing is off limits for me. > **[Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Bill To Cut Taxes For South Carolina Boaters,...](https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-introduces-bill-cut-taxes-south-carolina-boaters-boost-states#:~:text=The%20No%20Tax%20on%20Boat%20Loan%20Interest,maximum%20annual%20deduction%20of%20$10%2C000%20per%20year)** > > WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 23, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced the No Tax on Boat Loan Interest Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen South Carolina's marine manufacturing industry and put money back in the pockets of our state's... ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2026, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4042 "2026-04-12T13:18:14Z")
Laws of regulation have always been a target of conservatives! Every time they deregulate within a few years it blows up and Democrats have the task of correcting it ! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4043 "2026-04-14T00:19:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) carried on an affair with a married campaign staffer and sent her lewd texts late at night badgering her for sexy pictures, right up until the affair caused her marriage to fall apart and she committed suicide. Gonzales is “retiring” from Congress. > **[Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after bipartisan...](https://apnews.com/article/congress-gonzales-retirement-affair-3791f1a1eefe9fabfeb1647bc7bb0b0f)** > > Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire from Congress after bipartisan calls to expel him. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4044 "2026-04-14T00:55:47Z")
If you’re buying a boat for business, that’s already tax-deductible. If you’re buying a boat for recreation, how is that any different from buying anything else for recreation? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4045 "2026-04-14T01:17:34Z")
As the article says, the key thing is a lot of boats are manufactured in her district. This initiative is not about delivering tax breaks to boat-buying citizens nationwide. It’s about delivering extra boat sales, and only boat sales, to boat manufacturers, and only boat manufacturers. Who happen to be clustered in just a few districts nationwide. Including hers particularly. The only thing good we can say about this is that compared to most RW malfeasance of the last 30 years, and especially recently, plain old pandering to local business interests is refreshingly ordinary; the game both parties can play with a straight face. And have for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4046 "2026-04-14T02:16:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The only thing good we can say about this is that compared to most RW malfeasance of the last 30 years, and especially recently, plain old pandering to local business interests is refreshingly ordinary; the game both parties can play with a straight face. And have for decades. Also, it doesn’t murder as many people as a lot of other Republican policies lately. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4047 "2026-04-14T03:52:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Gonzales is “retiring” from Congress. With extreme prejudice? Nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4048 "2026-04-15T19:03:00Z")
Tommy Tuberville has a low opinion of Somali-Americans: > “If you talk like they talk, they should be kicked out. They should banned from any committees. They should not be able to vote.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mjk6cob75c2y)** > > Tuberville on Somali-Americans: "If you talk like they talk, they should be kicked out. They should banned from any committees. They should not be able to vote." ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4049 "2026-04-15T19:16:43Z")
Mike Johnson is trying to Christsplain just war theory to the Pope. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mjk5xkgnys2y)** > > Mike Johnson on the Pope: "If you wade into political waters, you should expect some political response & the Pope has received some. Frankly I was taken a bit aback by him saying something about 'those who engage in war, Jesus doesn't hear their... ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4050 "2026-04-15T19:41:52Z")
Kim Jong Un says the USA are terrorists. So, it’s come full circle. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4051 "2026-04-15T19:46:47Z")
I mean…he’s always said that. But now he’s got better evidence than usual ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4052 "2026-04-15T19:47:20Z")
“Trying to Christsplain just war theory to the pope” is such a humdinger of a phrase, it could be a Bob Dylan lyric (from the _Infidels_ era). “Tryin’ t’ Christsplain just war theory to the pope, oh, Jokerman!” ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4053 "2026-04-15T20:18:00Z")
JV Dunce > I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology Yes, JD, the pope needs your advice about theology discussions. Popes are notoriously flighty when it comes to theology, unlike Republicans who are cautious about their religious statements. [gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/us/politics/vance-pope-trump-georgia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bFA.2OEY.bWn4VnTM97YE&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4054 "2026-04-15T20:21:23Z")
Look, these guys (and yes, they’re mostly men) clearly know more about women’s reproductive health than women. They clearly know more about vaccines and nutrition than medical doctors. They clearly know more about the climate than climatologists. They clearly know more about air traffic safety than air traffic controllers. Why is it so difficult to accept they also clearly know more about theology than the Pope? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4055 "2026-04-15T20:26:49Z")
Shot across the bow from the US Conference of Bishops. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wrr7cfd3blnmkq4dqwhe2hir/bafkreigmgwgty4yqxp4zlybhmy2s6nuadp7nfpdulgulexc4bpprz7sozu) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wrr7cfd3blnmkq4dqwhe2hir/bafkreigmgwgty4yqxp4zlybhmy2s6nuadp7nfpdulgulexc4bpprz7sozu) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4056 "2026-04-15T20:28:49Z")
Let’s not forget “The Pope should stick to moral matters”. What do they think he’s doing? ---
**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:** [April 15, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4057 "2026-04-15T20:29:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What do they think he’s doing? They don’t even understand the words he’s saying. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4058 "2026-04-15T20:37:15Z")
These are the same folks who believe the Constitution says whatever they want it to say. It’s SovCit adjacent. They’re arrogant enough to think they know the magic words that have somehow eluded centuries of Catholic tradition ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4059 "2026-04-15T20:44:02Z")
Meanwhile, Pete “A little of the ol’ ultraviolence” Hegseth is reciting Samuel L. Jackson’s monologue from Pulp Fiction as a prayer. > **[Hegseth Borrows Violent Prayer from ‘Pulp Fiction’ to Bless Iran War at April...](https://publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-borrows-violent-prayer-from)** > > For the second month in a row, Pete Hegseth, who likes to call himself “secretary of war,” read a violent prayer — that echoes a scene in the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction — during a worship service at the Pentagon on Wednesday (April 15) to... ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4060 "2026-04-15T20:56:58Z")
Hey, Vance has been Catholic almost seven years now. If that doesn’t give him standing to publicly lecture the Pope on how to do his job, I don’t know what would. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=202) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=204)