# 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:** 213
**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:** [May 3, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4241 "2026-05-03T19:25:19Z")
Todd Blanche thinks you need to show ID to get a Big Mac. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mkxeyrb3y22t)** > > Blanche: "There's a lot of things we can be doing, like voter ID. Every time you walk into a restaurant you have to show ID. How about you have to show your idea to vote? That's not anything that's crazy." ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4242 "2026-05-03T20:18:34Z")
One of the truly pathetic aspects of that is that Republicans eat that shit up. “Telling it like it is.” When it is actually 100% bullshit. This country is _so_ fucked. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4243 "2026-05-03T20:41:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Todd Blanche thinks you need to show ID to get a Big Mac. It’s worth listening to the 16-second video at that Aaron Rupar post, to hear _Meet the Press_ host Kristen Welker UTTERLY fail to push back on Blanche’s Epstein-Class fantasy of how real life works. She just lets his nutty claim (of restaurants demanding customers show ID) stand. (Which leads me to wonder if she’s a Stupid Republican, per the thread.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4244 "2026-05-04T08:40:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Todd Blanche thinks you need to show ID to get a Big Mac. The only time you need to show an ID at a restaurant is when you buy alcohol. Mr. Rupar, stop hanging out with day-drunks like Kegsbreath and Patel and you won’t be asked. Also - every time I can recall voting for the past 3 decades I was asked to show my ID. We already show ID to vote. The SAVE act is complete bullshit and the ID whining a means ot disrupt voting and restrict it. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4245 "2026-05-04T09:51:45Z")
> “How about you have to show your idea to vote?” Actually, that’s not a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4246 "2026-05-04T09:52:30Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The only time you need to show an ID at a restaurant is when you buy alcohol Surprisingly, there is a Macdonalds here in Cape Town that serves beer. Somewhat disturbingly, it is situated at a gas station, making drink/driving almost inevitable. I not been asked for ID for age purposes in many many years, the only time I recall was once, on my 18th birthday (legal drinking age here) and I triumphantly pulled it out with a smile. Now I am clearly middle aged, I never get asked. (Apologies for a non sequitur post) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4247 "2026-05-04T11:29:22Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It’s worth listening to the 16-second video at that Aaron Rupar post, to hear _Meet the Press_ host Kristen Welker UTTERLY fail to push back on Blanche’s Epstein-Class fantasy of how real life works. Why in the HELL don’t these ‘journalists’ call out this complete and utter bullshit. The man is insane. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4248 "2026-05-04T11:51:25Z")
I did not know that voters in Indiana were required to show ID to vote. Indiana, so near (Chicagoish) and yet so far. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4249 "2026-05-04T15:57:04Z")
Yeah, I’ve never had to show id to vote. I tell them who I am, they find me on their roll, and cross me off after giving me my ballot. Now, I either vote by mail or drop-off, so I don’t have to interact with anyone. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4250 "2026-05-04T18:39:36Z")
I have voted by mail for many years. I just need to sign the envelope and they will verify that signature against the one they have on file when they receive my ballot. Before that, long ago, when I voted in-person, I would give my name, they’d locate me on their list, I’d sign that, and they’d hand me a ballot to fill out and drop off at the site. The only time I ever needed an ID was when I registered to vote at the Department of Licensing (where I got my driver’s license in the first place). I live in Washington State. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4251 "2026-05-04T18:43:24Z")
Except that Trump wants to eliminate vote-by-mail. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4252 "2026-05-04T18:46:40Z")
Trump wants to eliminate voting, really. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4253 "2026-05-04T21:44:17Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I did not know that voters in Indiana were required to show ID to vote. Yeah, but not that big a deal. I’ve always used my driver’s license. You can also use the voter ID card issued when you registered to vote. I know non-drivers who use their state issued ID card. I _think_ you can use a recent utility bill to establish you live at an address in precinct you’re voting in. Basically, the current system works just fine. No need to change it that I can see. Already utilizes the ID’s people already have. Unless, of course, you want to dick with the ability of people to vote… ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4254 "2026-05-04T22:09:50Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Why in the HELL don’t these ‘journalists’ call out this complete and utter bullshit. “To preserve access” is the usual answer. A smart journalist could ask Todd about his ‘ID required by restaurants’ claim in a non-hostile way, of course----but that’s too much bother. Better to just go on smiling and nodding. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4255 "2026-05-04T22:20:26Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > A smart journalist could ask Todd about his ‘ID required by restaurants’ claim in a non-hostile way, of course Dig dammit dig. When my boss gave me shit about going to my FIL’s funeral, I couldn’t believe it. I went over his head and he got a dressing down from the grand boss for 3 freaking hours. He finally got put in his place. Of course Trump doesn’t have anyone to answer to. But ask the damn question journalists, you KNOW he’s lieing. Stop letting him get away with it. There must be a way. You can all get up and walk out. Maybe the only way to get rid of this stain is to just ignore him completely. But then he would launch a nuke. Write your senators. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4256 "2026-05-04T22:25:47Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Stop letting him get away with it. There must be a way. It’s as though they’ve just decided ‘_everyone is going to despise us and THAT’S FINE_.’ On the more positive side: the _actual_ journalist who has been pursuing the Epstein story—with genuine courage—for years, now, has been recognized by the Pulitzer Prize Board: > [@](#): > > A special citation is awarded to Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown for her groundbreaking reporting in 2017 and 2018 that exposed Jeffrey Epstein’s systematic abuse of young women, the justice system that protected him, and, over time, his powerful network of associates and enablers. Her Perversion of Justice series, published nearly a decade ago, revealed how prosecutors shielded Epstein from federal sex trafficking charges when he was first accused of abusing young women. … [https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/julie-k-brown](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/julie-k-brown) ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4257 "2026-05-04T22:27:48Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > … I just need to sign the envelope and they will verify that signature against the one they have on file when they receive my ballot. … This last election (a special for a park bond) I was able to log into the voter portal and use the serial number on the envelope to verify my ballot; no signature required. This was a one-off and there’s no indication the process will be used in future. > [@Atamasama](#): > > I live in Washington State. Likewise. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4258 "2026-05-05T17:07:45Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Why in the HELL don’t these ‘journalists’ call out this complete and utter bullshit. Because this is what journalism _ **is** _ these days, and has been for decades now. We abandoned the “Just the facts, ma’am”, “All the news that’s fit to print” school of journalism a long long time ago, in favour of writing about people’s _feelings_ about the events. None of these people were every trained in how to dig deep and get a real answer, they’re looking for “engagement” and all that crap. We’re going to need a whole new generation of news reporters to re-invent what we’ve lost. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4259 "2026-05-05T17:08:48Z")
Only the deceptive kind…the kind that has other names on the ballot. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4260 "2026-05-05T17:36:48Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@Sherrerd](#): > > > > A smart journalist could ask Todd about his ‘ID required by restaurants’ claim in a non-hostile way, of course > > Write your senators. Mine are Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. Writing to them would be an exercise in futility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=212) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=214)