# 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:** 1817
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36322 "2018-01-19T16:54:09Z")
Wouldn’t him suing anyone over this be a perfect example of a SLAPP suit? "A **strategic lawsuit against public participation** (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. Such lawsuits have been made illegal in many jurisdictions on the grounds that they impede freedom of speech. The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit. The plaintiff’s goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs, or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism. In some cases, repeated frivolous litigation against a defendant may raise the cost of directors and officers liability insurance for that party, interfering with an organization’s ability to operate. A SLAPP may also intimidate others from participating in the debate. A SLAPP is often preceded by a legal threat." ---
**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:** [January 19, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36323 "2018-01-19T19:14:30Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > How is this a Stupid Republican idea of the day? Republican = Nazi = KKK ---
**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:** [January 20, 2018, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36324 "2018-01-20T22:58:53Z")
The Congressman in charge of dealing with sexual harassment at the Capitol just settled his own sexual harassment case. > **[Report: Congressman leading charge against assault settles own misconduct case](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/patrick-meehan-leading-charge-against-assault-settles-misconduct-case-report/)** > > Speaker of the House Paul Ryan removed Patrick Meehan from the Ethics Committee, after a report that he settled with a former aide after making "unwanted romantic overtures" to her ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36325 "2018-01-20T23:07:47Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Indirectly. Trump’s race-baiting has let these people feel safe crawling back out from under their rocks. That is correct. They are just some of the “many fine …” Trump likes so much. You know, the Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36326 "2018-01-20T23:08:59Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The Congressman in charge of dealing with sexual harassment at the Capitol just settled his own sexual harassment case. > [Report: Congressman leading charge against assault settles own misconduct case - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/patrick-meehan-leading-charge-against-assault-settles-misconduct-case-report/) O.M.G. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36327 "2018-01-20T23:41:38Z")
Washington Post reporter Robert Costa: “Members also complaining to me that the House gym lacks enough towels this morning and they wonder if it’s because of the shutdown.” > ---
**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:** [January 21, 2018, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36328 "2018-01-21T00:05:02Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > O.M.G. What? Do you not remember Mark Foley? There was some seriously fucked up going on with that. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36329 "2018-01-21T01:57:23Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Washington Post reporter Robert Costa: > “Members also complaining to me that the House gym lacks enough towels this morning and they wonder if it’s because of the shutdown.” > [x.com](https://twitter.com/costareports/status/954718749545914368) FFS ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36330 "2018-01-21T02:38:53Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > What? Do you not remember Mark Foley? There was some seriously fucked up going on with that. It never ends, does it. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36331 "2018-01-21T02:39:57Z")
> [@j666](#): > > FFS Fucking snowflakes :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36332 "2018-01-21T02:47:27Z")
I think you mean Fucking Flakes of Snow ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36333 "2018-01-21T06:47:53Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Senator Tom Cotton is issuing cease and desist letters ordering his constituents to quit contacting his office. > [Cotton’s Office Confirms Cease And Desists ‘Under Extreme Circumstances’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/cotton-office-cease-desist-letters) For Reference: Senator Tom Cotton: ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36334 "2018-01-21T06:57:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The Congressman in charge of dealing with sexual harassment at the Capitol just settled his own sexual harassment case. > [Report: Congressman leading charge against assault settles own misconduct case - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/patrick-meehan-leading-charge-against-assault-settles-misconduct-case-report/) I really, really wish this were the worst example of a conflict of interest we currently have in government. But I can think of at least a dozen off the top of my head. We \*really need to start publicly financing elections and outlaw campaign contributions. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36335 "2018-01-21T19:22:58Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > For Reference: > > Senator Tom Cotton: [Moderating] We ask that posters at the SDMB not use the site for political organizing or “calls to action,” including organizing letter writing campaign to sitting politicians. Please avoid this in the future. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**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:** [January 21, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36336 "2018-01-21T22:12:09Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > We \*really need to start publicly financing elections and outlaw campaign contributions. There’s no other single action that would make so great a difference to the welfare and prospects of this nation and its people, as to outlaw campaign contributions and move to public finance of elections. The magnitude of the benefits would be nearly incalculable. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36337 "2018-01-21T22:27:40Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > There’s no other single action that would make so great a difference to the welfare and prospects of this nation and its people, as to outlaw campaign contributions and move to public finance of elections. > > The magnitude of the benefits would be nearly incalculable. That’s why that will never, ever, ever happen. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36338 "2018-01-21T23:10:13Z")
I say we should not outlaw contributions, rather, levee a hefty tax on expenditures. Say, 30% tax on the money you spend campaigning, to go into a general fund that helps support your opponents’ campaigns. Including all messaging, outside of campaign season, aimed at garnering support for a policy. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36339 "2018-01-22T01:27:38Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > There’s no other single action that would make so great a difference to the welfare and prospects of this nation and its people, as to outlaw campaign contributions and move to public finance of elections. > > The magnitude of the benefits would be nearly incalculable. It will never happen. The Kochs would never stand for it, ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36340 "2018-01-22T03:06:01Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > It will never happen. The Kochs would never stand for it, Or the Mercers. What’s the good of having all that money if you can’t buy governments with it? I mean, a person can only own so many cars and vacation homes, amirite? ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36341 "2018-01-22T21:10:54Z")
Another set of Republican-created gerrymandered Congressional districts has been shot down, this time in Pennsylvania. > **[Pennsylvania Congressional District Map Is Ruled Unconstitutional (Published...](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/22/us/pennsylvania-maps-congress.html)** > > The State Supreme Court’s order on Monday joins a string of court decisions striking down political maps for unduly favoring one party. The court ordered that a new map be submitted to it by Feb. 15. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1816) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1818)