# 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:** 1819
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36362 "2018-01-24T14:28:40Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Hillary had a lot of money coming from other Russians that weren’t Putin. This isn’t being acknowledged in the present climate; partly because she isn’t in office, and partly because it allows the self-proclaimed defenders of liberalism to pretend that they are the true patriots beset on all sides by that evil foreign interference. Or, they could be concerned that Russia meddled in the US election and has influence over Trump and his cronies. You know, actual crimes. If Hillary benefited from Russian influence, it didn’t get her elected. Patriotism isn’t the issue here. If it were, conservatives would realize how unpatriotic they are for siding with whom they have been identifying as US enemies for decades. ---
**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 24, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36363 "2018-01-24T14:29:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The problem with publicly-financed elections is, how do you decide who gets the public funding? If five hundred crazy lunatic-fringe nuts declare their candidacy, do all five hundred of them get equal funding? I see two solutions. One, the funding doesn’t need to be much. They get a website and a bit of a budget to produce campaign videos, maybe a small travel budget. Having 500 candidates doesn’t cost that much if they are each getting only a couple hundred dollars in resourses. Two, there would be a few bars to clear to run. A certain number of signatures of registered voters would be required to qualify for funding. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36364 "2018-01-24T14:59:37Z")
Yesterday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso tweeted this gem: > [@@SenJohnBarrasso](#): > > Tonight @SenSanders will host a conversation about #MedicareForAll. @SenSanders if #MedicareForAll is implemented, how many people will lose their current coverage? Answer: EVERYONE with private coverage. _ **Of course** _ they would lose their current coverage, that’s the whole goddamned point! ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36365 "2018-01-24T16:08:46Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > I’ve seen a photo, yes. That informs what I’m saying. > > Hillary had a lot of money coming from other Russians that weren’t Putin. This isn’t being acknowledged in the present climate; partly because she isn’t in office, and partly because it allows the self-proclaimed defenders of liberalism to pretend that they are the true patriots beset on all sides by that evil foreign interference. If Hillary used foreign money in her campaign, whether Russian or not, she needs to be prosecuted. I’d bet she didn’t, but I’m willing to review evidence. If the Clinton Foundation took such funds I don’t have any problem with that. The Foundation has been audited every year. (Unlike the Trump Foundation) They have a very low overhead ratio, and it does not personally benefit the Clintons. (Again, unlike the Trump Foundation) That Trump abetted money laundering schemes is pretty much beyond doubt. The legalities might very well be muddy enough to keep him out of prison. But all the smoke that has gone up pretty much proves there is a fire there. Trump’s minions almost certainly welcomed Russian help in the election. Again the precise legalities and available evidence (or lack thereof) might be enough to avoid convictions for criminal conspiracy. That Trump has been so compromised that he is a puppet of Putin is not beyond the realm of possibility, but getting the evidence that is in control of Putin is pretty much an impossible task so unless Trump cops a plea, we’ll never know for sure in our lifetimes. Maybe in 50 or 100 years Russian archives will open up and reveal the truth. Much as with Lee Harvey Oswald. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36366 "2018-01-24T16:11:50Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > Yesterday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso tweeted this gem: > > _ **Of course** _ they would lose their current coverage, that’s the whole goddamned point! Not really since, no doubt, cadillac plans would still be available to those who want to pay for luxury hosptal rooms and get covered for elective procedures. But for basic care - you are correct. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36367 "2018-01-24T16:35:08Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I see two solutions. > > One, the funding doesn’t need to be much. They get a website and a bit of a budget to produce campaign videos, maybe a small travel budget. Having 500 candidates doesn’t cost that much if they are each getting only a couple hundred dollars in resourses. > > Two, there would be a few bars to clear to run. A certain number of signatures of registered voters would be required to qualify for funding. Ah yes. Nominating petition signatures. In my town on Long Island we need to collect 1,000 signatures out of a population of 300K to get on the ballot in the primary. No mean feat. And remember, that’s for each party. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36368 "2018-01-24T20:05:41Z")
> [@](#): > > **Originally Posted by @SenJohnBarrasso** > Tonight @SenSanders will host a conversation about #MedicareForAll. @SenSanders if #MedicareForAll is implemented, how many people will lose their current coverage? Answer: EVERYONE with private coverage. Makes sense. I mean this is why, since the advent of public transportation, there are no more privately owned cars. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36369 "2018-01-24T21:06:49Z")
**Oh, For Fuck’s Sake** [Pennsylvania congressman who paid former aide over misconduct says woman was his “soul mate”](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pennsylvania-congressman-who-paid-former-aide-over-misconduct-says-woman-was-his-soul-mate/ar-AAuWFEv) > [@](#): > > The Pennsylvania Republican who used taxpayer money to settle his own sexual misconduct case after a former aide said he made unwanted romantic overtures to her, said the women “invited” his behavior and that she was his “soul mate” while at the same time denying misconduct. > [@](#): > > He said he told the aide “that I was a happily married man and I was not interested in a relationship, particularly not any sexual relationship, but we were soul mates. > [@](#): > > Perhaps most puzzlingly, he said his behavior might have been because of stress related to votes on the Affordable Care Act. “I did nothing wrong. She wanted it. And it was Obamacare’s fault.” ---
**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:** [January 24, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36370 "2018-01-24T21:14:13Z")
Also: > [@](#): > > Ryan also called for Meehan to return whatever taxpayer money he used to settle the complaint. He told the Philadelphia Inquirer he would repay the public funds used to settle the case — if the Ethics Committee concluded he harassed her. ---
**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 24, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36371 "2018-01-24T21:25:05Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > **Oh, For Fuck’s Sake** > > [Pennsylvania congressman who paid former aide over misconduct says woman was his “soul mate”](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pennsylvania-congressman-who-paid-former-aide-over-misconduct-says-woman-was-his-soul-mate/ar-AAuWFEv) > > “I did nothing wrong. She wanted it. And it was Obamacare’s fault.” Thanks, Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36372 "2018-01-24T21:42:33Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > “I did nothing wrong. She wanted it. And it was Obamacare’s fault.” Obamacare covers boner pills? ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36373 "2018-01-24T23:53:41Z")
I don’t know if “cross-posting” is against the rules. I’ve put this in “Elections” but I think it belongs here too: [https://www.yahoo.com/news/alabama-house-ends-special-elections-154909073.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/alabama-house-ends-special-elections-154909073.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36374 "2018-01-25T02:15:12Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I don’t know if “cross-posting” is against the rules. I’ve put this in “Elections” but I think it belongs here too: > > [https://www.yahoo.com/news/alabama-house-ends-special-elections-154909073.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/alabama-house-ends-special-elections-154909073.html) Well, now you’ve got something to throw at Bricker when he talks about how the Massachusetts legislature changed their vacant-Senate-seat rules in an obviously partisan fashion. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36375 "2018-01-25T02:31:21Z")
Oh, but _they_ did it first. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36376 "2018-01-25T02:35:20Z")
And state-level Republicans, given an opportunity to show their moral superiority (if any), chose not to do so. Heh, as if that would have any impact on Bricker. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36377 "2018-01-25T14:43:21Z")
In all fairness, it’s not like they made the law retroactive. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36378 "2018-01-25T18:21:43Z")
Payday lenders. Can hardly talk about it without going full on Yosemite Sam. Vile, repulsive, immoral, don’t get it. Actual loan sharks, Mafia loan sharks, didn’t have it so good. And the people who do it know _exactly_ what they are doing, and who they are doing it to. Scheduled for reform, a date already assigned. _poof!_ Gone! Don’t believe in Hell, but sometimes, wish I did. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36379 "2018-01-25T18:42:12Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Payday lenders. Can hardly talk about it without going full on Yosemite Sam. Vile, repulsive, immoral, don’t get it. Actual loan sharks, Mafia loan sharks, didn’t have it so good. And the people who do it know _exactly_ what they are doing, and who they are doing it to. > > Scheduled for reform, a date already assigned. _poof!_ Gone! Don’t believe in Hell, but sometimes, wish I did. Jesus, don’t get me started either. I look at the US system where the most vulnerable consumers are thrown like chum into the waters filled with such predators, and then I look at the UK where they brought all the payday lenders and debt management companies and similar into the financial regulatory system resulting in hundreds of the worst companies going out of business (either voluntarily or due to being unable to meet basic requirements) and a lot of the remaining firms getting a [massive thumping about the head](https://www.ft.com/content/620c4bcc-7e4a-11e6-bc52-0c7211ef3198) due to some [spectacularly questionable practices](https://www.ft.com/content/a9e194ea-26e8-11e4-a46a-00144feabdc0), and it makes me weep for the US. This is exactly the shit the government should be doing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36380 "2018-01-25T18:48:15Z")
It’s busy golfing and being nazis at the moment. ---
**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 25, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/36381 "2018-01-25T19:12:12Z")
Missouri Senate candidate Courtland Sykes wants a girlfriend who stays at home and makes sure his dinner is ready for him when he gets home, and produces daughters who “do not grow up to be “career obsessed banshees who forgo home life and children and the happiness of family to become nail-biting manophobic hell-bent feminist she devils who shriek from the top of a thousand tall buildings they are [SIC] think they could have leaped in a single bound — had men not been ‘suppressing them.’ It’s just nuts.”” > **[GOP Senate candidate flips out over 'women's rights': 'I want to come home to...](https://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/gop-senate-candidate-flips-womens-rights-want-come-home-cooked-dinner-every-night/)** > > Republican U.S. Senate candidate for Missouri Courtland Sykes blasted "women's rights" this week.In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, Sykes said that he had been asked if he "supports women's rights.""I want to come home to a home cooked... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1818) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1820)