# 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:** 56
**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:** [June 30, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1101 "2025-06-30T19:00:43Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I’m guessing if you look closely at long-tenured Senators, you’d find that many (most) of them don’t actually still live in their state. I’m sure you’re right, which is pretty depressing. The senators in my state are definitely locals. One has lived here her whole life, the other had lived in the state for almost 20 years before running for her US Senate seat. And both were state senators before becoming US Senators. It seems like that should be the norm, but it probably isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1102 "2025-06-30T23:53:13Z")
Can’t remember specifics, but I seem to remember a few years ago someone ran for NC State Rep, and it turned out that the address where he claimed to be living was a trailer he was renting but had never actually lived in. He actually lived in a house outside of the district for which he was running. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1103 "2025-07-01T00:07:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Then again, if the backlash against Trump continues to escalate, nominating someone with the last name “Trump” might hand that seat to the Democrats. That was my first impression when I first heard this news: “By November 2026, will the Trump name be so toxic that she cannot be elected?” There will always be those who will buy whatever Donald Trump is selling—cheap and gaudy merch, or the lies he peddles daily. But there are also those who voted for the Leopards Eating Peoples’ Faces party, and who now find their friends, family, and even themselves to be meals fit for leopards. I’m sure there will be more by midterm election time. Although I cannot say for sure, after they’ve had their faces eaten by Donald Trump’s policies, I doubt they would consider voting for anybody named Trump. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1104 "2025-07-01T00:08:46Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > That was my first impression when I first heard this news: “By November 2026, will the Trump name be so toxic that she cannot be elected?” I really hope so. But after Trump ran the worst campaign I’ve ever seen and won anyway, I can’t count on anything anymore. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1105 "2025-07-01T01:37:34Z")
A-bloody-men. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1106 "2025-07-01T12:23:02Z")
Yup. Defied all expectation and continues to. Though one does wonder if the coattails extend to daughters-in-law just as a matter of all focus being on himself. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1107 "2025-07-01T12:37:29Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > That was my first impression when I first heard this news: “By November 2026, will the Trump name be so toxic that she cannot be elected?” Surely we are long past the point of imagining that the Trump name will ever become toxic. There is nothing, literally nothing, that Trump could do that will cause him to lose support. Stop thinking that people are going to finally come to their senses and abandon him. It will not ever happen. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1108 "2025-07-01T12:48:16Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > There is nothing, literally nothing, that Trump could do that will cause him to lose support. Stop thinking that people are going to finally come to their senses and abandon him. It will not ever happen. I’m afraid you are right. To do this they would have to admit how horribly awfully wrong they where. And that they where completely blind to writing (ketchup) on the wall. If we’re lucky they will try to slink away in the night and crawl back under their rocks. If we’re lucky. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1109 "2025-07-01T12:54:35Z")
I mean, it will, but it might take way too long. Like after we start a war with the Free World and, after years, they finally beat us and impose a functioning democracy on us. Or longer. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1110 "2025-07-01T13:12:04Z")
The scariest tweet I saw all weekend said that GOP congresspeople are unconcerned about the electoral dangers of passing the Big Stupid Bill _because they don’t think there will be elections in 2026 or 2028_. We can, and have, debate the validity of that fear. But I don’t think it’s doubtful now that trump and his sycophants are going to make it an issue. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1111 "2025-07-01T14:37:56Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > There is nothing, literally nothing, that Trump could do that will cause him to lose support. I’m guessing you forgot 2018. People were sick of Trump, and the people Trump endorsed did terrible in the midterms. What you’re not counting on is how fickle people are. Outside of the die hard MAGA cult, people could very well turn on him. He will always have his core of worshipers, but outside that group it’s entirely possible for him to lose his broad appeal. He might die before it happens of course. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1112 "2025-07-01T17:35:06Z")
Elections? We don’t need no stinking elections. > With less than five months to go before Miami residents were scheduled to head to the polls to vote on a new mayor and city commissioners, the city of Miami has postponed the upcoming November election to 2026 in a move that critics have described as a “power grab.” [https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article309065285.html](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article309065285.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1113 "2025-07-02T15:29:02Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Our Trump-loving toady, Roger Marshall, lives in Florida, but maintains a hunting cabin back in Kansas as his ‘official’ residence. At least that’s better than the knucklehead who was our previous congressman (Steve Watkins? I can’t even remember his name now) who was using a UPS store as his “official” Kansas address. ---
**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:** [July 4, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1114 "2025-07-04T00:53:22Z")
I receive email from the Social Security Administration from time to time. Usually, this is innocuous non-political stuff, like an annual reminder to check my Social Security Statement, or advice how to avoid Social Security related scams. But the message I received today seemed blatantly political. > The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans. > > The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation’s economy. > > “This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned." > > The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned. ---
**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:** [July 4, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1115 "2025-07-04T02:18:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation’s economy. And that more than makes up for the loss of Medicare coverage brought from the bill, right? Right? [![](https://www.enworld.org/media/nervous-guilty-gif.82073/full) ](https://www.enworld.org/media/nervous-guilty-gif.82073/full) ---
**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:** [July 4, 2025, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1116 "2025-07-04T06:43:50Z")
I got the same email (fittingly, it landed in the junk folder). I’m just glad I saw it _before_ I ate dinner: loss of appetite is immeasurably ~~better~~ less bad than projectile vomiting. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1117 "2025-07-04T15:35:41Z")
The MAGAprairie has long espoused the “_government **bad** _” cliché, so now they are doing their best to make reasonable people perceive the government the same way. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1118 "2025-07-04T16:40:23Z")
Is there in fact an actual provision in the BBB/LL about reducing/eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits? Not being a Congressperson, I have not read the full text to familiarize myself with all of its provisions. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1119 "2025-07-04T16:52:58Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > Not being a Congressperson, I have not read the full text to familiarize myself with all of its provisions. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/1120 "2025-07-04T17:00:34Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > The scariest tweet I saw all weekend said that GOP congresspeople are unconcerned about the electoral dangers of passing the Big Stupid Bill _because they don’t think there will be elections in 2026 or 2028_. My concern now is that MAGA will do OK at the midterms, because of the deceptive nature of the BBB. I won’t go into detail here – there are plenty of threads about it – but basically the poor will get a couple of trinket handouts before they realize they’ve lost their (vastly more significant) entitlements, and before the ballooning deficit starts to bite. So there is one last chance for poor and middle-income americans to vote against their own best interests, and they just might take it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=55) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=57)