# 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:** 1204
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24062 "2015-09-05T03:19:17Z")
Which goes to show, elevating something to cabinet level is not an idea. It’s just a way to signal that you think something is important. “See, we’re for the vets, so we created a cabinet department for them!” Likewise, folding the VA into DoD doesn’t signal that it’s less important. It might actually help. Or it might do nothing. What it can’t do is any harm. As for private care, if you’re so committed to single payer just make all vets eligible for Medicare, while leaving the VA to treat only combat-related injuries. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24063 "2015-09-05T03:34:33Z")
Checking on the Republican outreach program: Alienated blacks repeatedly (thugs, lazy, welfare dog whistles). Check Running a black token candidate (if only Condi would run!!?). Check Alienated hispanics (drug dealers, rapists, all illegals etc…). Check Alienated Asians (anchor babies). Check Alienated women (too numerous to mention). Check and double Check Alienated Arabs and (because they all look the same) Persians. Check Especially because they are Moooseleeems. Check. Alienated non-Christians (and different from MY church Christians). Check Alienated teachers (they are union, private vouchers, kill dept. of Ed). Check Alienated unions in general. Check Not sure about military backing (we’ll pump up the money but it’s off to quagmire again). I’m sure there are some groups missing. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24064 "2015-09-05T04:12:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > But that would never happen if VA medical operations were privatized. Because private industry _always_ works better than anything the government does. Especially when it comes to things like the edge-cases that the VA handles. You’re being sarcastic, right? I think you’re being sarcastic. ETA: although I must say, as an enrollee in VA health care, I want to hurl when I hear Congressmen brag that vets receive the finest care in the world. My mom is on medicare, and I take her to the doctor, so I’m in a position to compare the doctors and services in the civilian and VA world. And with the caveat that it’s a very small sample size (three different states, in the case of the VA), my experience is that VA care sucks compared to civilian care. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24065 "2015-09-05T04:28:20Z")
I only have myself to go by, but VA care has been wonderful for me. I had to have surgery, and I was very well treated and taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24066 "2015-09-05T04:44:48Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’m more and more convinced that right-wingers are all about fear, and the sharing of that fear. Just Google _ **republicans fear psychology** _ and review some of the results for confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24067 "2015-09-05T14:36:03Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Alienated hispanics (drug dealers, rapists, all illegals etc…). Check But I learned right here on the dope that calling Mexicans rapists was a genius plan to keep feminists from defending them. ---
**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:** [September 5, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24068 "2015-09-05T15:48:23Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > But I learned right here on the dope that calling Mexicans rapists was a genius plan to keep feminists from defending them. And ? Does it work ? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24069 "2015-09-05T17:01:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Republican Congressman terrifies elementary school students](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/03/1417466/-House-Republican-Matt-Salmon-terrifies-a-group-of-elementary-school-students-apologizes). I liked this quote from a staffer: > [@](#): > > “The content o‎f those remarks wasn’t anything beyond what children could expect to see or hear on any timely TV or radio newscast,” Daedalus said. Right, because elementary school children are riveted by the five o’clock news and are avid fans of that archaic ‘radio’ device. What a bonehead. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24070 "2015-09-05T18:55:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told a bunch of lies to blame President Barack Obama and Black Lives Matter activists for the fatal shooting of a Texas sheriff’s deputy. > > “Cops across this country are feeling the assault,” Cruz said Tuesday after a presidential campaign event in Milford, New Hampshire. > > “They’re feeling the assault from the president,” the senator continued. “From the top on down, as we see — whether it’s in Ferguson or Baltimore — the response of senior officials of the president, of the attorney general, is to vilify law enforcement. That is fundamentally wrong, and it is endangering the safety and security of us all.”… > **[Ted Cruz caught blatantly lying about Obama to push conservative 'war on...](https://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/ted-cruz-caught-blatantly-lying-about-obama-to-push-conservative-war-on-cops-narrative/)** > > Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told a bunch of lies to blame President Barack Obama and Black Lives Matter activists for the fatal shooting of a Texas sheriff's deputy.“Cops across this country are feeling the assault,” Cruz said Tuesday after a presidential... ---
**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:** [September 5, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24071 "2015-09-05T21:35:20Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [Ted Cruz caught blatantly lying about Obama to push conservative 'war on cops' narrative](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/ted-cruz-caught-blatantly-lying-about-obama-to-push-conservative-war-on-cops-narrative/) Why, why is Obama beating up police officers? Isn’t the job dangerous enough already? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24072 "2015-09-05T23:35:07Z")
[That drowned Syrian boy on the beach is Obama’s fault](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/09/04/that-drowned-syrian-boy-is-obamas-fault.html) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24073 "2015-09-05T23:41:31Z")
Erick Erickson. The Swedes say he is Norwegian, the Norwegians swear he is Swedish. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24074 "2015-09-06T02:22:03Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Republican Congressman terrifies elementary school students](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/03/1417466/-House-Republican-Matt-Salmon-terrifies-a-group-of-elementary-school-students-apologizes). Issued an apology? What a Weak Loser[sup]TM[/sup]. He should have reaffirmed that yes, the kids should be very scared, but that we’ll take care fo the bad people, we’ll be real tough and do something tremendous to save them. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24075 "2015-09-06T03:26:53Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Erick Erickson. The Swedes say he is Norwegian, the Norwegians swear he is Swedish. It’s -s_ **o** _n, not -s_ **e** _n. Total Swede. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24076 "2015-09-06T05:47:14Z")
The Swedes think the Norwegians are dull, industrious, humorless. Like Germans, but not as much fun. Norwegians think Swedes are “city folks”, effete, frivolous and pleasure loving. Everyone agrees, however, that Danes are great. Moody, indecisive, but still great. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24077 "2015-09-06T05:57:12Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [That drowned Syrian boy on the beach is Obama’s fault](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/09/04/that-drowned-syrian-boy-is-obamas-fault.html) Obama’s Syria policy is a directionless mess. So it’s quite plausible to blame the situation on him. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2015, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24078 "2015-09-06T06:24:21Z")
And breakfast would suck but for the Danes. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24079 "2015-09-06T07:40:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Obama’s Syria policy is a directionless mess. So it’s quite plausible to blame the situation on him. No, no it isn’t. This clusterfuck of anarchy has at least five major participants and maybe a dozen lesser clusterfuckers. Several varieties of religious fanatic and at least one powerful cynic. You got a plan that will fix it? Say so, and God will shut up and lean over, listen real close, maybe learn something. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24080 "2015-09-06T08:13:36Z")
Like Adaher gives a shit about dead Syrians. For people like him, the only thing that matters is Obama looking bad. If there were thousanda of American soldiers dying on the ground, that would be even better. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/24081 "2015-09-06T08:38:37Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Like Adaher gives a shit about dead Syrians. For people like him, the only thing that matters is Obama looking bad. If there were thousanda of American soldiers dying on the ground, that would be even better. Literally hundreds of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives, and millions were injured or displaced by Bush-Cheney, but that’s just the price that had to be paid for … for what, again, exactly? **Adaher** ’s whine springs from the same Faux mentality that called Benghazi the worst American disaster since 9/11. One message board exchange (I don’t remember if it was Adaher) went like this: IDIOT: The Iraqi War was fought to help the Iraqi people and was successful; very few were killed. ME: Many many Iraqis were killed. IDIOT: 😕 Only American casualties count in American wars. The cognitive disconnect was completely lost on the idiot. In another thread, a Doper declared one of Adaher’s posts to be the stupidest Adaher post of the month, even though September’s just begun, and a day ago I responded to an Adaher post that was far stupider. So … Why doesn’t someone start a _Stupidest Adaher post of the Month_ thread? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1203) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1205)