# 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:** 1682
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33622 "2017-04-27T10:14:56Z")
House Republicans add a clause to the Obamacare repeal saying that _they_ [still get the Obamacare protections they would deny the rest of the country.](https://thinkprogress.org/gop-lawmakers-exempt-trumpcare-hardships-8f7f8941f9c4) > [@](#): > > Under the House amendment, first reported by Vox, lawmakers and their staff members would still be protected by Obamacare’s pro-consumer rules that get wiped out for millions of other Americans under the Republican repeal package. > > “Republican legislators liked this policy well enough to offer it in a new amendment. They do not, however, seem to like it enough to have it apply to themselves and their staff,” Vox’s Sarah Kliff reports. > > The man behind the amendment, Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), confirmed the scheme to Kliff. _Whoops!_ ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33623 "2017-04-27T15:54:33Z")
So, apparently Trump’s plan for getting a new wife is to deport the existing one: > **[Trump Administration Position on Supreme Court Case Suggests Melania Trump...](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/04/trump-supreme-court-deportation-citizenship-argument-might-cover-melania.html)** > > The DOJ said even the most minor transgression—like Melania's apparent history of small-time immigration fraud—could justify revoking citizenship. Where they argue before SCOTUS that any misrepresentation on naturalization forms allows for revocation of citizenship and deportation. Melania of course failed to report paid work in violation of her visa on her application. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33624 "2017-04-27T16:34:07Z")
Trump’s proposed tax plan. > **[The 1-page White House handout on Trump's tax proposal | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/)** > > Members of the Trump administration outlined the broad strokes of his new tax proposal Wednesday, which would cut the top individual tax rates from 39.6% to 35%. It’s not the Cliff’s Notes version. That’s basically it. Now, I have to say, as an independent business owner, this is just fan-fucking-tastic. I’d basically be locked into a personal income tax of 15%. I recently moved back to Kansas, land of the Free, so no state taxes either. I’m pretty sure I can find enough deductions and business expenses to push my cumulative tax liability down to around 5-10%. That’s sales tax territory. Less so because they’ll probably have to significantly increase sales tax (among other things) to help balance the budget. I mean, no. It’s not going to increase my business or cause me to hire anyone new. And as a citizen of this country that sees the both the need for, and benefits to, investments in infrastructure, education, and science, this is just abhorrent and will do absolutely none of the things it’s claiming to do. But for me, personally? I couldn’t be happier! Hell, why can’t I just pay no taxes? I deserve at least that much. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33625 "2017-04-27T16:59:53Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Trump’s proposed tax plan. > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/](http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/) > > It’s not the Cliff’s Notes version. That’s basically it. > > Now, I have to say, as an independent business owner, this is just fan-fucking-tastic. I’d basically be locked into a personal income tax of 15%. I recently moved back to Kansas, land of the Free, so no state taxes either. I’m pretty sure I can find enough deductions and business expenses to push my cumulative tax liability down to around 5-10%. > That’s sales tax territory. Less so because they’ll probably have to significantly increase sales tax (among other things) to help balance the budget. > > I mean, no. It’s not going to increase my business or cause me to hire anyone new. And as a citizen of this country that sees the both the need for, and benefits to, investments in infrastructure, education, and science, this is just abhorrent and will do absolutely none of the things it’s claiming to do. > > But for me, personally? I couldn’t be happier! Hell, why can’t I just pay no taxes? I deserve at least that much. One page, bullet points, double spaced. That’s not policy, that’s a student trying to pad his homework assignment. I’m surprised it wasn’t printed in Comic Sans. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33626 "2017-04-27T17:14:33Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > One page, bullet points, double spaced. That’s not policy, that’s a student trying to pad his homework assignment. > > I’m surprised it wasn’t printed in Comic Sans. Courier is the way to go if you’re padding – fixed width and has that classic “typewriter look” that screams “I RESPECT TRADITION.” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33627 "2017-04-27T17:59:06Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Trump’s proposed tax plan. > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/](http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/) > > It’s not the Cliff’s Notes version. That’s basically it. > > Now, I have to say, as an independent business owner, this is just fan-fucking-tastic. I’d basically be locked into a personal income tax of 15%. I recently moved back to Kansas, land of the Free, so no state taxes either. I’m pretty sure I can find enough deductions and business expenses to push my cumulative tax liability down to around 5-10%. > That’s sales tax territory. Less so because they’ll probably have to significantly increase sales tax (among other things) to help balance the budget. > > I mean, no. It’s not going to increase my business or cause me to hire anyone new. And as a citizen of this country that sees the both the need for, and benefits to, investments in infrastructure, education, and science, this is just abhorrent and will do absolutely none of the things it’s claiming to do. > > But for me, personally? I couldn’t be happier! Hell, why can’t I just pay no taxes? I deserve at least that much. They’re getting rid of pretty much all deductions though. This “tax plan” seems like the kind of “reforms” and “cuts” that will benefit Trump and Cronies. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33628 "2017-04-27T18:07:37Z")
Mining clean coal reverses “black lung” disease. Thus, workers are back on the job, and don’t need Obamacare! Yeah, that’s stupid. Which is why I am surprised they haven’t tried it yet. And if next week, they try it, I will be bitterly ashamed at having helped them. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33629 "2017-04-27T18:32:10Z")
> [@](#): > > The Trump administration, as promised, launched a new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office yesterday, which includes a hotline Americans can call if they’re a victim of a specific kind of crime: those perpetrated by undocumented immigrants. > **[Team Trump launches a misguided anti-immigrant effort](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/team-trump-launches-misguided-anti-immigrant-effort-msna984531)** > > Donald Trump's new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office is a misguided step in an ugly direction. How exactly is this supposed to work? I can imagine someone calling the hotline: Caller: I was mugged by undocumented immigrants! Hotline: Are you sure they had no documents? Caller: Well, they _looked_ like they didn’t have any. Hotline: If you’re not certain they were illegal, I’m afraid we’ll have to treat this lie an ordinary crime. Hold, please… But the real fun part comes later in the article: > [@](#): > > The Department of Homeland Security recently asserted, “Criminal aliens routinely victimize Americans and other legal residents,” and the Trump administration intends to take action. > > Apparently, however, some took Team Trump’s rhetoric quite literally and reportedly started calling the hotline to report crimes committed by aliens – as in, **extra-terrestrials.** I suspect these callers are Trump critics, just calling the line to yank their chain. Caller: Hell, yes, they were undocumented! They had green skin and antennas! And I think one of them implanted something in Mabel! ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33630 "2017-04-27T19:23:32Z")
This one short, hairy guy ate my cat! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33631 "2017-04-27T19:29:44Z")
> [@Crybaby\_Boobie](#): > > This one short, hairy guy ate my cat! And his name was Gordon! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33632 "2017-04-27T19:35:42Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > How exactly is this supposed to work? I can imagine someone calling the hotline: > > Caller: I was mugged by undocumented immigrants! > > Hotline: Are you sure they had no documents? > > Caller: Well, they _looked_ like they didn’t have any. > > Hotline: If you’re not certain they were illegal, I’m afraid we’ll have to treat this lie an ordinary crime. Hold, please… You’re far more charitable than I. Here’s how I see it: Caller: I was mugged by undocumented immigrants! Hotline: Oh my god! Of course you were! First on a scale of 1 to 10 how swarthy were they? Secondly, would you say their calves were larger or smaller than canteloupes. And finally, have you contacted Fox News yet? If not, here is their booking line … ---
**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 27, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33633 "2017-04-27T19:40:28Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Trump’s proposed tax plan. > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/](http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/politics/white-house-donald-trump-tax-proposal/) > > It’s not the Cliff’s Notes version. That’s basically it. While I appreciate and give the appropriate amount of kudos for humbly labeling this proposal as “the biggest tax cut in American History”, I must take away points for missing an opportunity to also tack in “greatest”, “best”, “most awesomest” \*or \*“you’ve ever seen”. That said, the list format is a keeper. More legislation should be written in the form of clickbait. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33634 "2017-04-27T19:53:32Z")
Sean Spicer blames the Obama administration for not vetting General Flynn. > **[Spicer: Obama administration responsible for Flynn's security clearance](https://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/27/michael-flynn-security-clearance-sean-spicer-237698)** > > “Why would you rerun a background check on someone who was the head of the Department of Defense intelligence agency that had and did maintain a high-level security clearance?” Spicer asks. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33635 "2017-04-27T22:16:34Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > That’s sales tax territory. Less so because they’ll probably have to significantly increase sales tax (among other things) to help balance the budget. Republicans balance the budget? That’s a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33636 "2017-04-27T23:54:59Z")
[GOP shuts out doctors, experts, Democrats as they work on Obamacare repeal](http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gop-shuts-out-doctors-experts-democrats-as-they-work-on-obamacare-repeal/ar-BBAskXw) > [@](#): > > And senior House Republicans and White House officials have almost completely shut out doctors, hospitals, patient advocates and others who work in the health care system, industry officials say, despite pleas from many health care leaders to seek an alternative path that doesn’t threaten protections for tens of millions of Americans. > > “To think you are going to revamp the entire American health care system without involving any of the people who actually deliver health care is insanity,” said Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, whose members include many of the nation’s largest medical systems. Insanity. Or stupidity. Or evil cunning? ---
**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 28, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33637 "2017-04-28T00:19:06Z")
Good strong thinking outside the box. Drainage of the intellekshual swamp. And what specialist hasn’t been thrilled, just absolutely thrilled, to hear somebody who had just discovered their field by reading its wikipedia page on it give them helpful pointers ? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33638 "2017-04-28T01:13:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Mining clean coal reverses “black lung” disease. Thus, workers are back on the job, and don’t need Obamacare! Yeah, that’s stupid. Which is why I am surprised they haven’t tried it yet. And if next week, they try it, I will be bitterly ashamed at having helped them. My theory is that the Trump White House bases pretty much all of their policies on your jokes. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2017, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33639 "2017-04-28T03:06:04Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > [GOP shuts out doctors, experts, Democrats as they work on Obamacare repeal](http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gop-shuts-out-doctors-experts-democrats-as-they-work-on-obamacare-repeal/ar-BBAskXw) > > Insanity. Or stupidity. Or evil cunning? Learned this decades ago: You do not fuck with nuns. Priests threw away their moral authority years ago. That of nuns has only grown. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33640 "2017-04-28T03:21:47Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > My theory is that the Trump White House bases pretty much all of their policies on your jokes. I would take that as undeniable truth that God exists, and He hates me. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/33641 "2017-04-28T04:26:50Z")
Erick Erickson apparently thinks that all gay men run around wearing tutus, and so they deserve to get beaten up when they go to bars. > **[Erick Erickson: Gay Men In Bars Should Expect To Be Assaulted And Women...](https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-nation/erick-erickson-gay-men-bars-should-expect-be-assaulted-and-women-shouldnt-breastfeed)** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1681) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1683)