# 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:** 112
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2221 "2010-10-13T13:24:14Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > It’s just insane to know what factory work was like when there was no requirements for safety…how many thousands of child laborors lost limbs and workers died in fires due to inadequate escape routes etc… why would anyone but the top 0.1% of business owners who also happen to be completely EVIL as well want that? > > In other words, I think that the run-of-the-mill republican is an unknowing tool of big business interests, but trying to convince the public that OSHA should be eliminated is so blatantly, transparently in the best interests of the elite and NO ONE ELSE that I am shocked that they would state that in writing. > > It’s almost as if they know how many republicans they have brainwashed to vote against their own interests that they don’t bother pulling the strings anymore, they just chuck the puppets at the correct polling booth lever now. Less money spent on things like eye-washing stations and fire escapes means more money for the boss. There’s two ways the story can go from here. You pick. a) Some day I’ll be the billionaire industrialist, and when I am, I ain’t having no gummint telling me what I have to spend my money on b) As a good and loyal American I will feel the benefits of my billionaire boss making an extra couple thousand every year. As a paperclip bender on the factory line, when he buys another yacht (or, more likely, sticks that money in a bond somewhere) I’ll totally benefit. I mean, really, have you ever seen anyone USE an eye-washing station? Total waste of money. The only reason they have to buy them is because of gummint interference - that, and everyone knows that all eye-washing station manufacturers are owned by George Soros. It’s just kickbacks from the Democrats to their buddies. How’d I di? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2222 "2010-10-13T14:50:36Z")
^Those are both probably the (hugely idiotic) thinking processes behind it. However, eye washing stations are what, maybe 1% of the overall OSHA regulations that keep people safe? What about MSDS sheets on hand so that information about the dangerous chemicals used are available? Eye and hearing protection? Before government regulation, the workplace was a FREE FOR ALL of severed limbs and mutilated bodies, so the two realities for being against safety regulation as I see it are, 1. You don’t KNOW about the growing pains of the industrial revolution, and don’t realize that you want American workers to face more danger and become more like China, or, 2) You KNOW how dangerous and miserable the working conditions in America used to be before safety regulation, but you don’t care because you believe you will move out of your double-wide and into a mcmansion if somehow there was less government “waste”. I am extremely liberal, but I don’t like government waste either, but OSHA of all things? Just absurd. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2223 "2010-10-13T14:58:57Z")
As was brought up in the Cranick fire thread, people don’t understand risk. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2224 "2010-10-13T15:14:16Z")
I was popping in to drop this nugget: [Fears of Sharia Law in America Grow Among Conservatives](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019405-503544.html). I’d guess that it’s been mentioned earlier, but the stupid just kinda blends into a miasma – a pastiche of pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2225 "2010-10-13T16:53:29Z")
> [@](#): > > At the Values Voters summit in September, Newt Gingrich said - to a standing ovation - that "[w]e should have a federal law that says Sharia law cannot be recognized by any court in the United States. What kind of hateful fearmongering IS THIS? I guess I had mistakenly thought that people in general are decent and moderately intelligent and capable of independent thought. No one can really defend statements like these. These tactics are straight out of 1984. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2226 "2010-10-13T17:08:56Z")
Meh. It’s a lot less damaging than much else Newt might be doing. He might as well have said, “we should have a federal law that says Monopoly money is not legal tender in the United States.” ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2227 "2010-10-13T17:20:33Z")
I’ve heard some other outrageous quotes from him, but I think convincing the sheeplike masses that them thar evil muslims are trying to force us all to wear bhurkas and stone adultresses is “socially irresponsible” to put it lightly, and xenophobic and evil to put it bluntly. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2228 "2010-10-13T17:24:22Z")
If he’s doing that, then I agree. I’m just discussing the bit you quoted. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2229 "2010-10-13T18:07:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If he’s doing that, then I agree. I’m just discussing the bit you quoted. He is doing that, that is the imagery the quote is intended to put into the minds of these people. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2230 "2010-10-13T18:21:32Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Meh. It’s a lot less damaging than much else Newt might be doing. He might as well have said, “we should have a federal law that says Monopoly money is not legal tender in the United States.” Yeah, practically speaking. I’m just amazed that every single person that heard this didn’t just collapse in convulsions of laughter, pointing and laughing. Teh stoopid. Must be contagious. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2231 "2010-10-13T23:50:10Z")
[West Virginia’s Republican candidate for senate, John Raese:](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/10/13/5284516-raese-missile-defense-and-lasers-in-the-sky-) > [@](#): > > “We are sitting with the only technology in the world that works and it’s laser technology. We need 1000 laser systems put in the sky and we need it right now. That is [of] paramount importance.” He **REALLY** doesn’t want that smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. It’s a sure bet that all _Americans_ see lazers in space as our TOP NATIONAL PRIORITY, right now! I wonder what [Condoleeza](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/condoleezz164877.html)’s up to these days? ---
**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:** [October 14, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2232 "2010-10-14T03:28:58Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [West Virginia’s Republican candidate for senate, John Raese:](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/10/13/5284516-raese-missile-defense-and-lasers-in-the-sky-) > > > [@](#): > > > > “We are sitting with the only technology in the world that works and it’s laser technology. We need 1000 laser systems put in the sky and we need it right now. That is [of] paramount importance.” > > He **REALLY** doesn’t want that smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. It’s a sure bet that all _Americans_ see lazers in space as our TOP NATIONAL PRIORITY, right now! > > I wonder what [Condoleeza](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/condoleezz164877.html)’s up to these days? Flogging her book on _The Daily Show._ ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2233 "2010-10-14T03:34:11Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > At the Values Voters summit in September, Newt Gingrich said - to a standing ovation - that "[w]e should have a federal law that says Sharia law cannot be recognized by any court in the United States. > > What kind of hateful fearmongering IS THIS? I guess I had mistakenly thought that people in general are decent and moderately intelligent and capable of independent thought. No one can really defend statements like these. These tactics are straight out of 1984. Does he think we should have a law prohibiting “Christian Law”, or is that the one time he’ll stop pretending to fellatiate the Founding Fathers and admit they were wrong just that one time? > [@Squink](#): > > [West Virginia’s Republican candidate for senate, John Raese:](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/10/13/5284516-raese-missile-defense-and-lasers-in-the-sky-) > > > [@](#): > > > > “We are sitting with the only technology in the world that works and it’s laser technology. We need 1000 laser systems put in the sky and we need it right now. That is [of] paramount importance.” > > He **REALLY** doesn’t want that smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. It’s a sure bet that all _Americans_ see lazers in space as our TOP NATIONAL PRIORITY, right now! > > I wonder what [Condoleeza](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/condoleezz164877.html)’s up to these days? Rease: What? You can’t launch a laser into orbit with coal? Nevermind. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2234 "2010-10-14T04:12:20Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > > [@Squink](#): > > > > [Condoleeza](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/condoleezz164877.html)’s up to these days? > > Flogging her book on _The Daily Show._ Mmm…Condoleezza…[flogging](http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2008/06/05/PH2008060501094.jpg)… ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2235 "2010-10-14T06:18:24Z")
Speaking of flogging, I’d like to see how one can measure the harm that’s created when someone masturbates, when someone’s looking at porn… How does that harm someone else be they some innocent bystander or random pedestrian, when the shades are closed and the door is locked? ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2236 "2010-10-14T12:15:32Z")
Because it makes baby jesus cry. Obviously. With all the maturbation going on recently Mary hasn’t had a moments peace! ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2237 "2010-10-14T16:49:57Z")
Great! Now show me a recording of all the crying. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2238 "2010-10-14T16:54:00Z")
> [@anya\_marie](#): > > Speaking of flogging, I’d like to see how one can measure the harm that’s created when someone masturbates, when someone’s looking at porn… > > How does that harm someone else be they some innocent bystander or random pedestrian, when the shades are closed and the door is locked? Well if the window’s open, there’s a small but non-zero chance of harm to the random pedestrian. Unless he’s wearing goggles. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2239 "2010-10-14T16:58:31Z")
'New’t, thank God, you’re just in time! Here’s ‘Newt’ to save the day! Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…‘Newt’! Nah, I just can’t get the whole superhero meme to work on this one. I think the name ‘Newt’ just kills it… I thought I’d seen pols pandering to the masses, but jeez…Maybe ‘Moron Man’ would work better… ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/2240 "2010-10-14T17:04:50Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > 'Nah, I just can’t get the whole superhero meme to work on this one. I think the name ‘Newt’ just kills it… Maybe he’ll get better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=111) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=113)