# Politically Uncorrect - WTF?? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172 "2006-03-20T18:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/61 "2006-03-20T22:04:41Z")
Well, I’m indifferent to the flag, and I found the bible to be a pretty compelling read, but I’m against using either of them to bludgeon people who disagree with me. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/62 "2006-03-20T22:07:17Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The question is not whether any particular person or group works or pays taxes. The question, as articulated by **DanBlather** , is whether they “…are paying out more in taxes then they are getting back in benefits.” > > Does your cite answer that question? And if we apply the standards you are using to respond to me to the point raised by **DanBlather** , what is the appropriate reply to **DanBlather**? No, there was no question, just you trying to mischaracterize and “hyperbole” away the people who live in public housing in the inner city. Just as you tried to miscatagorize prayer in public schools. What, exactly, are you basing your claim that inner-city dwelling, public housing living New Yorkers are NOT paying out more in taxes than they are getting? Besides what you’ve seen on Good Times? ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/63 "2006-03-20T22:09:32Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > Why? There are plenty of liberals who are religious and patriotic. You’re all reading something into this that’s not here. But there _aren’t_ many people who are against the Bible or the flag. His imagined victimhood depends on the idea that there’s folks who are anti-flag and anti-Bible keeping him down. Of course that represents liberals - that’s pretty standard anti-liberal sentiment if you read the letters to the editor in the newspaper. The message is obvious. Don’t pretend otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/64 "2006-03-20T22:20:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The question is not whether any particular person or group works or pays taxes. The question, as articulated by **DanBlather** , is whether they “…are paying out more in taxes then they are getting back in benefits.” > > Does your cite answer that question? And if we apply the standards you are using to respond to me to the point raised by **DanBlather** , what is the appropriate reply to **DanBlather**? From [here](http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html): “17 of the 20 (85%) states receiving the most federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Red States.” “11 of the 14 (79%) of the states receiving the least federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Blue States.” ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/65 "2006-03-20T22:23:07Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I think we need to drag that guy in here to defend his strawman statements. Who is “against the bible and the flag”? What does it even mean to be for or against those things? Godless Evolutionist Communist Homosexuals, apparently. I bet those meetings are interesting. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/66 "2006-03-20T22:35:27Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The question is not whether any particular person or group works or pays taxes. The question, as articulated by **DanBlather** , is whether they “…are paying out more in taxes then they are getting back in benefits.” > > Does your cite answer that question? And if we apply the standards you are using to respond to me to the point raised by **DanBlather** , what is the appropriate reply to **DanBlather**? From [here](http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html): “17 of the 20 (85%) states receiving the most federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Red States.” “11 of the 14 (79%) of the states receiving the least federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Blue States.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/67 "2006-03-20T22:51:39Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > But there _aren’t_ many people who are against the Bible or the flag. His imagined victimhood depends on the idea that there’s folks who are anti-flag and anti-Bible keeping him down. Of course that represents liberals - that’s pretty standard anti-liberal sentiment if you read the letters to the editor in the newspaper. The message is obvious. Don’t pretend otherwise. Exactly. There isn’t anybody who’s against farmers or “the guy working the third shift” or a single mother raising her kids either. The entire song is an assault on an army of strawmen. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/68 "2006-03-20T22:51:41Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > When did living outside the city make someone more moral than a city folk? When did working a farm become more “honest” then working 70 hours a week developing tax software? Uh, 1776? The republican ideal, and all that? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/69 "2006-03-20T22:59:23Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Exactly. There isn’t anybody who’s against farmers or “the guy working the third shift” or a single mother raising her kids either. The entire song is an assault on an army of strawmen. He’s trying to show solidarity with with the downtrodden. That way they’ll waste more of their money on his CDs. I wonder if he’s “for” the kid downloading that song for free. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/70 "2006-03-20T23:00:15Z")
I’m writing a country anthem that I think’s gonna be a big, big hit. “I was born in a small town, taught the fear of God in a small town. Still live in that small town, can’t find work in my small town. Got a girl pregnant in a small town, Can’t support the baby in a small town. I love my small town, because I fear - I meant don’t fit into the big city!” ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/71 "2006-03-20T23:06:06Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I’m writing a country anthem that I think’s gonna be a big, big hit. > > “I was born in a small town, > taught the fear of God in a small town. > Still live in that small town, > can’t find work in my small town. > Got a girl pregnant in a small town, > Can’t support the baby in a small town. > I love my small town, > because I fear - I meant don’t fit into the big city!” Work in a bit about meth labs and you’re there. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/72 "2006-03-20T23:09:27Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Exactly. There isn’t anybody who’s against farmers or “the guy working the third shift” or a single mother raising her kids either. The entire song is an assault on an army of strawmen. Of course. These types of songs are all about strawmen. It’s that whole, “The conservative politicians just speak for the rich, and the liberal ones just speak for the people who want to ban the pledge in schools, and nobody speaks for the average guy who loves his country and God and can’t cut a break.” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/73 "2006-03-20T23:25:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m for the low man on the totem pole > And I’m for the underdog God bless his soul > And I’m for the guys still pulling third shift > And the single mom raisin’ her kids…\* > And I’m for the farmer with dirt on his hands > And the soldiers who fight for this land > > Are you fucking kidding me? The conservitive right controls the presidency, both houses of congress, and the supreme court! How the hell are you not getting any respect? I doubt that having the GOP in power and a swing to the right on the Supreme Court wildly empowers the people mentioned in the above lyrics (\*excuse me for leaving out the pore preachers on their knees etc.). The major dopeyness of the song lies in who it blames for their downtrodden state (i.e. “I wouldn’t have to work third shift if it wasn’t for the Godless Liberals.”) > [@Bricker](#): > > I was, of course, referring to school-sponsored prayer. I used the short-hand phrase “prayer in school” to make that reference. Obviously that was confusing. That sort of “confusion” is quite common among advocates of organized prayer in public schools. Good to see the immediate and factual response by other posters (oh, and nice pirouette, **Bricker** ) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/74 "2006-03-20T23:30:50Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > OK. I’m here to help. Garsh thanks. > [@Bricker](#): > > Despite the fact that one party controls the White House, Supreme Court, and both houses of Congress, burning the American flag is protected free speech, and forbidding prayer in public school is required by the Constitution. I imagine that’s the kind of thing referred to by “I’m for the Bible and I’m for the flag…” I take it you believe that schools shoud sponsor prayer? Are there any limitations on such sponsoring? Cuz Merle seems to think that the Bible is the way to go, according to your explication. How about Wiccan prayer? Santeria prayer? Voodoo prayer? Should we let Fred Phelps pop in for a mornin’ meditation down to th’ elementary school? ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/75 "2006-03-20T23:39:32Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Uh, 1776? The republican ideal, and all that? So… the American War of Independence was _not_ mainly about the American colonists rejecting British rule in favour of self-rule, but was in fact the poor downtrodden farmers rising up against the urban oppressors? 😕 Something, in fact, rather like, “Workers of the world, unite!” ? 😃 Wow! Ya learn something new every day. Thanks for fighting my ignorance **Metacom**! ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/76 "2006-03-20T23:41:35Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > …I generally like country music, really. “Redneck Woman” cracks me up, and is a great sing-along song. But lately there has been a glut of “country values” songs on the radio… Instead of getting worked up over a song (or perceived trend in country music), go out and pick up a copy of Kinky Friedman’s [They Ain’t Makin Jews Like Jesus Anymore](http://www.lonestarmusic.com/album.asp?aid=3435). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/77 "2006-03-20T23:53:38Z")
> [@Sal Ammoniac](#): > > Right… so they’re against free speech and the Constitution. But for America. The American President. I usually don’t like Michael Douglas, but God I love that movie. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/78 "2006-03-20T23:56:24Z")
> [@Charger](#): > > I grew up on a farm and I now work in an office. I still don’t use the word “work” to describe anything I do. I haven’t “worked” in over ten years, but I have put in long hours and got paid time and a half. My entire job seems like I’m on break. So, because my paycheck doesn’t feel quite as “earned” it feels more “honest” when you finish the day feeling like you got your ass kicked and hardly earned a dime for it. you don’t have to agree with it, but that’s the thought process behind it. If that’s how you feel about _your_ job, fine. But I hope you don’t think physically-demanding jobs are inherently more virtuous or important than office jobs. Our society needs all types. We need big strong guys to lug the cinder blocks from one corner to the next. We need the shrimpy woman to type up the purchase order for the cinder blocks. Both paychecks are earned and equally honest. Both are hard work and should be respected. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/79 "2006-03-20T23:57:29Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > Instead of getting worked up over a song (or perceived trend in country music), go out and pick up a copy of Kinky Friedman’s [They Ain’t Makin Jews Like Jesus Anymore](http://www.lonestarmusic.com/album.asp?aid=3435). That guy ain’t nothin’ but an asshole from El Paso. It is, however, hard to keep a good man down. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/80 "2006-03-20T23:58:05Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Well, I’m indifferent to the flag, and I found the bible to be a pretty compelling read, but I’m against using either of them to bludgeon people who disagree with me. Especially the flag. I mean, the Bible’s got some heft to it, but how do you bludgeon someone with a flag? I suppose you could get it wet, twist it up, and give someone a few good welts with it, but that’s hardly the same thing as “bludgeoning.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172.md?page=5)