# 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:** 1785
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35682 "2017-11-14T17:28:25Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > The more I read about this tax plan, the more I think the whole thing needs to be posted to this thread. > > [Republican tax plan would tax graduate student tuition waivers as income.](http://www.chronicle.com/article/How-the-GOP-Tax-Plan-Could/241702) Some quick math. Assuming you’re single, this is your only income, and you have no other deductions to make use of: $20,000 per year would mean $2,533.75 in Federal taxes owed. Since this is from actual pay, you’ll most likely have it deducted straight from your bi-weekly paychecks. $60,000 per year would mean $10738.75 in Federal taxes owed. That’s a net increase of $8,205, or, if you’re budgeting it ahead of time, $683.75 per month. This money can either come out of your paychecks if your university shoulders the responsibility of paying these taxes for you. That would literally cut your paycheck in half. Or you can be on the hook every April 15 of scrounging up 8 grand. Good luck! ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35683 "2017-11-14T17:51:08Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Roy Moore was well known by the local people in Gadsden, AL for being shady. The security guards at Gadsden Mall had him on the list of people to watch out for. > [Gadsden locals say Moore's predatory behavior at mall, restaurants not a secret - al.com](http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/gadsden_residents_say_moores_b.html) Obviously a town full of libtard liars! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35684 "2017-11-14T17:55:51Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > I don’t know why **Republicans think attacking higher education is a good idea for stimulating growth** in this global economy, but I think this is probably one of the stupidest things I have read in a long time. When have you ever heard a Republican make this argument, even in neutral language? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35685 "2017-11-14T18:34:19Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > When have you ever heard a Republican make this argument, even in neutral language? :dubious: This is the argument they are making with the current tax bill they are trying to push. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35686 "2017-11-14T18:34:28Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Obviously a town full of libtard liars! :eek: Talk about your long con… they created an entire fake _city_! ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35687 "2017-11-14T19:00:19Z")
The California Association of Realtors, hardly a wild eyed libtard organization, has paid for a full page ad in several California newspapers, as well as Politico and the DC edition of the Wall Street Journal, opposing the Republican tax plan, as detrimental to the American dream of home ownership. > **[Does tax bill help or hurt Californians? Republicans hearing it from both sides](https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article184447198.html)** > > Millions of California voters opened their newspapers Tuesday morning to a scathing critique of the Republican tax bill currently under consideration in Washington. This is the wording of their ads: > **[CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Says the Republican Tax Reform Plan Will...](https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/11393-california-association-of-realtors-says-the-republican-tax-reform-plan-will-eliminate-the-incentive-for-people-to-buy-homes-shrink-the-middle-class-and-raise-taxes-on-hundreds-of-thousands-of-california-homeowners)** > > CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Says the Republican Tax Reform Plan Will Eliminate the Incentive for People to Buy Homes, Shrink the Middle Class, and Raise Taxes on Hundreds of Thousands of California Homeowners ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35688 "2017-11-14T19:08:51Z")
Yup. I’m a middle class working stiff Californian with a $600k mortgage. I stand to lose my mortgage interest deduction, plus deductions of state income tax and property tax; and I’d expect to see my home’s value take a big hit. This tax bill is a giant middle finger to California. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35689 "2017-11-14T19:32:51Z")
Jim Bakker (remember him?) says the End Times are here because of … Apache helicopters. > **[Jim Bakker: Apache Helicopters Are Mentioned In The Bible | Right Wing Watch](https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/jim-bakker-apache-helicopters-are-mentioned-in-the-bible/)** > > On his television show on Friday, prepper pastor Jim Bakker said that people would realize that the End Times are upon us if they would simply study the ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35690 "2017-11-14T19:48:27Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Yup. I’m a middle class working stiff Californian with a $600k mortgage. I stand to lose my mortgage interest deduction, plus deductions of state income tax and property tax; and I’d expect to see my home’s value take a big hit. This tax bill is a giant middle finger to California. Apparently not losing your interest deduction - everything I’ve read says that current homeowners will be grandfathered in. The other things? Yeah, you’re likely fucked. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35691 "2017-11-14T19:51:35Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Yup. I’m a middle class working stiff Californian with a $600k mortgage. I stand to lose my mortgage interest deduction, plus deductions of state income tax and property tax; and I’d expect to see my home’s value take a big hit. This tax bill is a giant middle finger to California. While the GOP tax bill is terrible, the point of tax reform is to eliminate deductions and reduce rates. Given the information you’ve provided, I’d bet you pay less taxes than most Floridians making half your income. Tax reform is supposed to reduce that unfairness. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35692 "2017-11-14T19:55:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > While the GOP tax bill is terrible, the point of tax reform is to eliminate deductions and reduce rates. No, the points of this one are to pay back their big campaign donors, and be able to claim they actually did something. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35693 "2017-11-14T20:07:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No, the points of this one are to pay back their big campaign donors, and be able to claim they actually did something. How many times do they have to fuck over ordinary voters before they try something fresh and new? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35694 "2017-11-14T20:18:56Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > I don’t know why Republicans think attacking higher education is a good idea for stimulating growth in this global economy, but I think this is probably one of the stupidest things I have read in a long time. They probably see it as a win-win. It _decreases_ the number of liberal-elites-in-training and _increases_ the number of low-information voters 😃 ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35695 "2017-11-14T20:47:06Z")
Roy Moore’s wife put out a letter signed by 53 Alabama pastors saying they supported him. Several of the pastors have said they did not sign the letter. > **[Kayla Moore posts support from 50 pastors](https://www.al.com/news/2017/11/53_pastors_sign_letter_of_supp.html)** > > Kayla Moore posts support from 50 pastors; letter written before sexual allegations against Roy Moore ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35696 "2017-11-14T21:11:30Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Roy Moore’s wife put out a letter signed by 53 Alabama pastors saying they supported him. Several of the pastors have said they did not sign the letter. > [Kayla Moore posts support from 50 pastors; 4 ask for their names to be removed - al.com](http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/53_pastors_sign_letter_of_supp.html) I am shocked. SHOCKED, I tell you. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35697 "2017-11-14T21:27:05Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Jim Bakker (remember him?) says the End Times are here because of … Apache helicopters. > [Jim Bakker: Apache Helicopters Are Mentioned In The Bible | Right Wing Watch](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/jim-bakker-apache-helicopters-are-mentioned-in-the-bible/) Well, he has to do some scare mongering. How else is he going to sell his survival crap? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35698 "2017-11-14T21:37:24Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > [Going back to the impressively unqualified candidate](https://shareblue.com/embarrassingly-unqualified-trump-nominee-forgets-wife-is-a-witness-in-russia-probe/) for the federal bench. > Mr. Talley, who has never heard a case, and has only been a member of the bar for three years, remember? > Turns out, the wife he’d forgotten to mention as working for the Administration, is also a witness in the Mueller probe. > > Quid pro quo, anyone? Certainly looks that way. One hopes that Mueller has taken note and is adding it to the list (for obstruction of justice charges). ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35699 "2017-11-14T21:55:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Roy Moore’s wife put out a letter signed by 53 Alabama pastors saying they supported him. Several of the pastors have said they did not sign the letter. > [Kayla Moore posts support from 50 pastors; 4 ask for their names to be removed - al.com](http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/53_pastors_sign_letter_of_supp.html) Anyone want to guess how long it will be until we get the tearful confession of how he sinned in his youth and was just too ashamed to admit it but now God has forgiven him? The week before the election? The day before? ---
**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:** [November 14, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35700 "2017-11-14T21:57:19Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Anyone want to guess how long it will be until we get the tearful confession of how he sinned in his youth and was just too ashamed to admit it but now God has forgiven him? The week before the election? The day before? Now we’re getting “When he was molesting those girls, he was a Democrat.” ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35701 "2017-11-14T21:59:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No, the points of this one are to pay back their big campaign donors, and be able to claim they actually did something. Yes. That’s the point of THIS tax reform, but the idea of tax reform is a concept is to get rid of deductions, and any GOOD tax reform will probably get rid of the mortgage interest deduction and state and local tax deductions. All those are are payoffs to upper middle class voters, who are extremely valuable voters to politicians. They exist in large numbers and they donate to campaigns. But those are two of the biggest deductions in the tax code, so tax reform is meaningless without eliminating them or cutting them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1784) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1786)