# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1059
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21162 "2015-04-23T02:45:07Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Joe Arpaio had a very bad day in court](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379471/-Sheriff-Arpaio-s-attorney-quits-during-contempt-hearing-former-staff-turn-on-the-sheriff) That article says he tried to buy his way out by promising to donate $100,000 to a civil rights organization. I was going to ask how he’d come up with that kind of money, but apparently his salary is a bit over $100K/year, and he also gets an additional $65K/year from his DEA pension. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21163 "2015-04-23T04:55:37Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > To the big donors, wage-suppression, and therefore an open-door immigration policy, is a _good_ thing. One wonders if Walker knows what side his bread is butter on. I wonder if that’s true. Tighter borders mean denied opportunities for laborers. Maybe some big donors are OK with tight borders and national labor forces that are relatively captive compared to highly mobile investment money. Remember that large companies employ workers in many countries, some much smaller and more vulnerable than the USA. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21164 "2015-04-23T08:21:40Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What I’m saying is, may I please make that paragraph my Facebook status for the day? > > If you want, I will append an offer to provide attribution. Sure, knock yourself out. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21165 "2015-04-23T16:33:01Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Joe Arpaio had a very bad day in court](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379471/-Sheriff-Arpaio-s-attorney-quits-during-contempt-hearing-former-staff-turn-on-the-sheriff) He’s had a number of unsuccessful run-ins with the courts over the years and yet seems to majestically sail on. I hope he gets locked up in one of his own desert tents on a three day weekend Friday afternoon and the right wing crowd funding can’t bail him out until the next Tuesday. I’m not saying he should be physically threatened by being mixed in with the general population, just physically threatened by being jailed in the hot Arizona sun for three days and fed nothing but the same maggot ridden crap he gives prisoners. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21166 "2015-04-23T17:12:21Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > He’s had a number of unsuccessful run-ins with the courts over the years and yet seems to majestically sail on. > > I hope he gets locked up in one of his own desert tents on a three day weekend Friday afternoon and the right wing crowd funding can’t bail him out until the next Tuesday. I’m not saying he should be physically threatened by being mixed in with the general population, just physically threatened by being jailed in the hot Arizona sun for three days and fed nothing but the same maggot ridden crap he gives prisoners. Unfortunately, it’s a federal case, so he’d probably go to a federal jail. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21167 "2015-04-23T17:18:05Z")
[More Republican Stupid from Kansas:](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sam-brownback-health-tax-hike-aetna) > [@](#): > > Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) proposed $136 million in taxes on health maintenance organizations as a way of closing the state’s budget hole. Now, that proposal is in danger thanks to an angry managed health care company —Aetna, Inc. > > According to The Wichita Eagle, leaders at Aetna are warning lawmakers that if Brownback’s proposal goes into effect the healthcare company would be hit with $12 million in additional taxes and **add $206 to an average HMO insurance policy holder’s bill.** Brownback’s proposal is currently awaiting approval in a House-Senate conference committee. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21168 "2015-04-23T17:20:02Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Unfortunately, it’s a federal case, so he’d probably go to a federal jail. Like, maybe, that one in north-central Illinois, where it gets sub-freezing in the winter and suffocatingly humid in the summer, and the glass on the other side of his barred window is broken away so his climate control is useless? That would be nice. ---
**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 23, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21169 "2015-04-23T17:43:38Z")
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) isn’t getting enough attention, so he introduced a bill to strip federal courts of their authority to issue an ruling on a case[involving same-sex marriage](http://thehill.com/regulation/239752-bill-would-block-courts-on-gay-marriage): > [@](#): > > King’s bill strips way Article III of the Constitution, which gives federal courts the jurisdiction to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of, or the validity under the Constitution of, any type of marriage. The bill also prohibits federal funds from being used for any litigation in, or enforcement of any order or judgment by, any federal court. > > King said his bill would stop the courts from “destroying traditional marriage.” Not sure how he thinks legislation can change the Constitution, but he is the expert. [/sarcasm] ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21170 "2015-04-23T18:04:58Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The bill also prohibits federal funds from being used for any litigation in, or enforcement of any order or judgment by, any federal court. Any?! Not just marriage-related, but **any?!** That’s **gotta** be a misprint! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21171 "2015-04-23T18:06:31Z")
[House committee votes to overturn DC law against discrimination based on an employee’s reproductive decisions.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-committee-votes-to-upend-first-dc-law-in-23-years/2015/04/22/3a59c722-e877-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html) [Because Jesus.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-again-appeal-to-theocracy/2015/04/22/0c82e898-e920-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21172 "2015-04-23T18:08:56Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) isn’t getting enough attention, so he introduced a bill to strip federal courts of their authority to issue an ruling on a case[involving same-sex marriage](http://thehill.com/regulation/239752-bill-would-block-courts-on-gay-marriage):Not sure how he thinks legislation can change the Constitution, but he is the expert. [/sarcasm] I thought the power that gave “federal courts the jurisdiction to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of, or the validity under the Constitution” came from historical practice and case law (e.g. Maybury v. Griffith; Ogden v. Nash), not from Article III itself. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21173 "2015-04-23T18:18:29Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [More Republican Stupid from Kansas:](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sam-brownback-health-tax-hike-aetna) > > > [@](#): > > > > ansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) proposed $136 million in taxes on health maintenance organizations as a way of closing the state’s budget hole. Now, that proposal is in danger thanks to an angry managed health care company —Aetna, Inc. > > > > According to The Wichita Eagle, leaders at Aetna are warning lawmakers that if Brownback’s proposal goes into effect the healthcare company would be hit with $12 million in additional taxes and add $206 to an average HMO insurance policy holder’s bill. Brownback’s proposal is currently awaiting approval in a House-Senate conference committee. I’m not sure this is a stupid idea as I bet Gov. Brownback will be able to blame the increase on Obamacare. More like an evil idea. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21174 "2015-04-23T18:28:56Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [House committee votes to overturn DC law against discrimination based on an employee’s reproductive decisions.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-committee-votes-to-upend-first-dc-law-in-23-years/2015/04/22/3a59c722-e877-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html) > > [Because Jesus.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-again-appeal-to-theocracy/2015/04/22/0c82e898-e920-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html) Love this from the second article: [QUOTE=Dipshit Preacher/Repub] “It is clearly taught by Jesus the Christ himself,” Walberg preached to members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, “for those of us who believe in him — and I understand and I accept the fact that there are those who don’t — but he said render unto Caesar what’s Caesar’s and God what’s God’s, and I think that’s an important consideration for us on this committee tonight.” [/QUOTE] Basically, my storybook has this great character I believe in-- I can’t prove he’s real-- but we’re gonna do what he says anyway without any real reason or thought behind it, 'cause religion. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21175 "2015-04-23T18:33:58Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > So Eric Holder gets to be USAG for longer? LOL! Do they even know what they’re doing? I’m fine with them holding Lynch up, I’m very happy with Holder’s service and have no problems with him staying on a little bit longer [Lynch confirmed!](http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/politics/loretta-lynch-attorney-general-vote/) ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21176 "2015-04-23T18:34:36Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Any?! Not just marriage-related, but **any?!** That’s **gotta** be a misprint! actual text of the relevant section: [quote=“[Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act 2015 (pdf)] ([https://steveking.house.gov/sites/steveking.house.gov/files/KINGIA\_048\_xml.pdf](https://steveking.house.gov/sites/steveking.house.gov/files/KINGIA_048_xml.pdf))”]12 ‘‘(b) FUNDING.—No Federal funds may be used for 13 any litigation in, or the enforcement of any order or judg- 14 ment by, any court created by an Act of Congress, on any 15 question pertaining to the interpretation of, or the validity 16 under the Constitution of, any type of marriage, section 17 1738C, or this section.’’. [/quote] So, yeah, it is not “_any_” broad. However, the fundamental idea, that courts can be constrained by Congress through defunding, is troubling and hopefully cannot pass Constitutional muster. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21177 "2015-04-23T19:07:11Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Like, maybe, that one in north-central Illinois, where it gets sub-freezing in the winter and suffocatingly humid in the summer, and the glass on the other side of his barred window is broken away so his climate control is useless? > > That would be nice. Huh? There isn’t a prison in north central Illinois! Are you thinking of Stateville? That’s way over _there._ ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21178 "2015-04-23T19:12:00Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Because Jesus.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-again-appeal-to-theocracy/2015/04/22/0c82e898-e920-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html) > [@](#): > > “It is clearly taught by Jesus the Christ himself,” Walberg preached to members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, “for those of us who believe in him — and I understand and I accept the fact that there are those who don’t — **but he said render unto Caesar what’s Caesar’s and God what’s God’s** , and I think that’s an important consideration for us on this committee tonight.” “And by that I think he meant we should try and mix the two as closely as possible.” ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21179 "2015-04-23T19:42:07Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Huh? There isn’t a prison in north central Illinois! Are you thinking of Stateville? That’s way over _there._ My mistake, I could have sworn I read a thing a few years back about a major federal prison project in the northern hinterlands of Illinois somewhere well west of Rockport. Perhaps the project got quashed. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21180 "2015-04-23T20:10:22Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [House committee votes to overturn DC law against discrimination based on an employee’s reproductive decisions.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-committee-votes-to-upend-first-dc-law-in-23-years/2015/04/22/3a59c722-e877-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html) > > [Because Jesus.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-again-appeal-to-theocracy/2015/04/22/0c82e898-e920-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html) Jesus would weep. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21181 "2015-04-23T21:02:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [House committee votes to overturn DC law against discrimination based on an employee’s reproductive decisions.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-committee-votes-to-upend-first-dc-law-in-23-years/2015/04/22/3a59c722-e877-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html) > > [Because Jesus.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-again-appeal-to-theocracy/2015/04/22/0c82e898-e920-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html) Well at least this means that the Congressional conservatives who voted for this bill can no longer claim they are pro-life. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1058) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1060)