# 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:** 177
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3521 "2011-09-28T21:24:52Z")
This may be the stupid idea of the year: [http://gawker.com/5844803/congressman-to-introduce-proposal-for-time-traveling-to-1991](http://gawker.com/5844803/congressman-to-introduce-proposal-for-time-traveling-to-1991) Rep. Don Young of Alaska (where else) wants to repeal all government regulations implemented since 1991. Are these guys in a race to see who can be more stupid? ---
**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:** [September 28, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3522 "2011-09-28T21:49:47Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Rep. Don Young of Alaska (where else) wants to repeal all government regulations implemented since 1991. Why 1991, is this some new splinter sect from the Amish or something? ---
**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:** [September 28, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3523 "2011-09-28T22:31:14Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Rep. Don Young of Alaska (where else) wants to repeal all government regulations implemented since 1991. So that means no TSA, no Patriot Act, no NCLB, no DOMA, no DADT, no NAFTA, no Welfare Reform Act, no Gramm-Leach-Biley, no Kelo, no Citizens United, and all the Bush tax cuts get rolled back, right? Hmm. I could get on board with this. On the other hand, I guess absinthe would be illegal again. Guess it’s a double-edged sword. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3524 "2011-09-28T22:55:49Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Oh forget that. If the left was really as bad as the right, not only would we all be trying to defend it in as weaselly a way as possible, but sites like TPM, TP, and Dkos would have swept it under the rug. Yet all three mentioned it. Odd. > > -Joe Or ran it but “accidentally” an “R” next to the person’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3525 "2011-09-28T22:59:54Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > This may be the stupid idea of the year: > > [http://gawker.com/5844803/congressman-to-introduce-proposal-for-time-traveling-to-1991](http://gawker.com/5844803/congressman-to-introduce-proposal-for-time-traveling-to-1991) > > Rep. Don Young of Alaska (where else) wants to repeal all government regulations implemented since 1991. > > Are these guys in a race to see who can be more stupid? Ya, know, if that includes repealing all the repeals of regulations that happened since 1991, it might not be so terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3526 "2011-09-28T23:25:41Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Why 1991, is this some new splinter sect from the Amish or something? In the very words of the Congressman: > [@](#): > > I picked 20 years ago because it crossed party lines and also we were prosperous at that time. Ah, yes, a return to the glory time of [high unemployment, massive government budgetary deficits, and slow Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth affecting the United States until late 1992](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_1990s_recession) This guy looks old enough to remember this. Was he in a coma in 1991? Or does he have a memory problem? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3527 "2011-09-28T23:28:59Z")
And certainly not because that would conveniently wipe out everything Clinton and Obama did, plus the one guy Republicans wish we would forget. Not at all. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3528 "2011-09-28T23:42:34Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > In the very words of the Congressman: > Ah, yes, a return to the glory time of [high unemployment, massive government budgetary deficits, and slow Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth affecting the United States until late 1992](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_1990s_recession) > > This guy looks old enough to remember this. Was he in a coma in 1991? Or does he have a memory problem? He looks old enough to have dementia. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3529 "2011-09-29T00:36:17Z")
It’s the modern Republican love of specific numbers for no particular reason. Like the current incarnation of the Balanced Budget Amendment, which specifies a spending limit of 18% of GDP. Why not 17%? Or 19.314159%? Similarly, Cain’s 999 plan. Why not 888? I can see why he stayed away from 666, but he could scare off the religious right if someone were to read his plan upside down. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3530 "2011-09-29T03:36:58Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Well, sure. Santorum is clearly the victim - who knew the mean homos would strike back? > > Amazing how the rightards are always victims. > > -Joe I wonder how Santorum’s son Commodus is handling this controversy. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3531 "2011-09-29T04:27:35Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > But we have another thread for that! Hows **Clothahump** ’s thread ever going to catch up if you find a stupid Democrat’s idea and put it here? He really needs all the help he can get, it’s kinda pathetic watching him try. **Clothahump** ’s thread is Stupid _Liberals_, not Stupid Democrats, however much he may wish to believe that the words are synonyms. And, that said, he’s just posted it himself. (I’ll assume he got it from this thread.) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3532 "2011-09-29T04:41:15Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > [. > > And, that said, he’s just posted it himself. (I’ll assume he got it from this thread.) That’s just sad. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3533 "2011-09-29T13:45:16Z")
But it’s the correct thread. It was dumb, and Democratic. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2011, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3534 "2011-09-29T13:55:15Z")
It’s dumb to assume rhetorical tools like hyperbole and sarcasm are within the intellectual grasp of your audience. Speak slowly, use small words and never confuse them with oratorical flair. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3535 "2011-09-29T14:07:27Z")
Even if you have to restrain your rhetoric due to the dumbing down of America, surely we haven’t sunk so low that we have to be niggardly with our vocabulary as well? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3536 "2011-09-29T16:35:09Z")
I saw what you did there. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3537 "2011-09-29T17:09:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So that means no TSA, no Patriot Act, no NCLB, no DOMA, no DADT, no NAFTA, no Welfare Reform Act, no Gramm-Leach-Biley, no Kelo, no Citizens United, and all the Bush tax cuts get rolled back, right? None of those are regulations, except the TSA (in part). They’re _legislation_ and decisional law. Regulations are rules adopted by the executive branch (eg., FDA labeling standards). ---
**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:** [September 30, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3538 "2011-09-30T01:56:43Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > None of those are regulations, except the TSA (in part). They’re _legislation_ and decisional law. Regulations are rules adopted by the executive branch (eg., FDA labeling standards). Except that the implementation of the laws is generally(?) via regulations. So no law passed in the last 20 years would have any implementation regulations associated with it. As a bonus, we probably wouldn’t have to take our shoes off before boarding a plane. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3539 "2011-09-30T03:03:43Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Except that the implementation of the laws is generally(?) via regulations. So no law passed in the last 20 years would have any implementation regulations associated with it. Yeah, but that’s not what he was saying- and implementation regulations mostly fill gaps in legislation. Most legislation is largely self-executing - so we’d still have all that stuff, just more litigation over it. ---
**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 30, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3540 "2011-09-30T17:45:57Z")
Did Dopers read the Huffington Post article [Undocumented Women Forced To Give Birth While Shackled And In Police Custody](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/20/undocumented-pregnant-woman-gives-birth-in-shackles_n_971955.html) ? > [@](#): > > “When I was in bed, I was begging the sheriff, ‘Please let me free – at least one hand,’ and he said, no, he didn’t want to,” Juana Villegas said in an interview with a local Nashville television station. She was describing the experience of being shackled to her hospital bed as she went into labor. Villegas gave birth in the sheriff’s custody, after she was stopped by local police while driving without a valid license. Ms. Villegas was arrested in Tennessee 2008. The article mentions two similar stories (2007, 2010) from Sheriff Arpaio’s County in Arizona: > [@](#): > > For Juana Villegas, going into labor while in prison meant that her ankles were cuffed together on the ride to the hospital, and that she was denied a breast pump by local authorities after she was given one by medical professionals. Without a breast pump, “she was in great pain” after she gave birth and had trouble sleeping in prison … ETA: Although we remember Arpaio’s political affiliation, I don’t think the Nashville affiliation was mentioned in Huffington Post. It is a sad commentary that we can be almost certain, based on this behavior, that that Sheriff is also Republican. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=176) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=178)