# 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:** 2068
**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:** [June 20, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41345 "2019-06-20T22:30:24Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > June 19, 2019 > Jim Bakker says that if Individual 1 loses, Christian leaders will start dying mysteriously. > [Jim Bakker: If Trump loses in 2020, Christians will ‘die one after another’ – DeadState](https://deadstate.org/jim-bakker-if-trump-loses-in-2020-christians-will-be-suddenly-killed-one-after-another/) When will Republicans wake up to the obvious fact that many of their supporters are obviously, clearly mentally ill? ---
**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:** [June 20, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41346 "2019-06-20T22:34:15Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > When will Republicans wake up to the obvious fact that many of their supporters are obviously, clearly mentally ill? That’s not a bug, that’s a feature. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41347 "2019-06-20T22:34:41Z")
I’ve said it before, will say it again: the Bible never made the case the Antichrist _couldn’t_ have as his base a bunch of evangelical Americans. 😉 ---
**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:** [June 20, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41348 "2019-06-20T22:57:27Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I’ve said it before, will say it again: the Bible never made the case the Antichrist _couldn’t_ have as his base a bunch of evangelical Americans. 😉 Heh. I’ve seen the claims that UPC barcodes are “THE MARK” that Revelation says everyone will have to wear in order to participate in the economy (even to the point of buying food, apparently). Shortly after I learned about this, I started seeing advertising for small businesses that made a point of including a little drawing of a fish. The intended message seemed to be _“do business with ME, because I’m a Christian.”_ The message that I got was _“ONLY do business with businesses that display THE MARK.”_ ---
**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:** [June 22, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41349 "2019-06-22T02:53:44Z")
‘Most of Government Is Unconstitutional’ > **[Opinion | ‘Most of Government Is Unconstitutional’ (Published 2019)](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/21/opinion/sunday/gundy-united-states.html)** > > Did the Supreme Court just suggest that it is prepared to agree with that statement? > [@](#): > > On Thursday, the conservative wing of the Supreme Court called into question the whole project of modern American governance. > > In Gundy v. United States, which concerned the constitutionality of a law requiring the registration of sex offenders, four of the more conservative justices endorsed a controversial legal theory according to which Congress lacks the power to delegate broad powers to agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Heath and Human Services. > > For now, the four more-liberal justices have brushed back the challenge, ruling 5 to 3, with Justice Samuel Alito, that Congress can give to the executive branch the authority to implement that specific law. But a close reading of the decisions in the case — and the fact that Justice Brett Kavanaugh was recused — suggests that the liberals may not have the votes to turn back the conservative assault on Congress’s powers. > > Federal agencies have been vested with expansive authority since the dawn of the republic, but the administrative state as we know it really took off in the 20th century. The rise of agencies like the Office of Price Administration, the Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency was essential to the prosecution of two world wars, the creation of the post-New Deal welfare state and the regulation of novel risks such as industrial pollution. > > But powerful agencies have long generated anxiety among conservatives. The Constitution, they note, assigns to Congress “all legislative powers herein granted.” Very broad delegations of power from Congress to administrative agencies, conservatives argue, amount to an unconstitutional dereliction of Congress’s responsibilities. > … > \ > … > So the writing may be on the wall for the hands-off doctrine that has enabled the federal government to be a functional government. If that fifth vote comes, the court would generate enormous uncertainty about every aspect of government action. Lawsuits against federal agencies would proliferate, and their targets would include entities that we’ve come to rely on for cleaner air, effective drugs, safer roads and much else. > … > \ Steve Bannon would be very happy about this. **Aspenglow** , I’d be interested in your thoughts. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41350 "2019-06-22T23:13:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > ‘Most of Government Is Unconstitutional’ > [https://nyti.ms/2Y7UsXg](https://nyti.ms/2Y7UsXg) > > Steve Bannon would be very happy about this. Bannon’s happiness would be negligible when compared to Putin’s. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41351 "2019-06-23T00:50:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > ‘Most of Government Is Unconstitutional’ > [https://nyti.ms/2Y7UsXg](https://nyti.ms/2Y7UsXg) > > Steve Bannon would be very happy about this. > > **Aspenglow** , I’d be interested in your thoughts. Apologies, **ThelmaLou**. I missed this till just now. Steve Bannon and Grover Norquist. I don’t think anyone needs any special training in the legal field to see what’s happening here. They’re flat telling us. It’s been the goal of the Federalist Society/American Enterprise Institute (Kochs) for decades to reduce government until you can “drown it in a bathtub.” They’re so close they can taste it. I’m sure the legal “reasoning” has been worked out for a very long time. Not wishing to be overly dramatic, but the flame of liberty is guttering. They have their 5 votes. They’re going to use them. They’ll cement their legacy with a cherry on top when they replace Bader Ginsberg, if we don’t stop them in 2020 in both houses of Congress and the presidency. As I’m sure you’re aware, economist Paul Krugman summarized as: “Rather than proposing unpopular spending cuts, Republicans would push through popular tax cuts, with the deliberate intention of worsening the government’s fiscal position. Spending cuts could then be sold as a necessity rather than a choice, the only way to eliminate an unsustainable budget deficit.” He wrote that the “…beast is starving, as planned…” and that “Republicans insist that the deficit must be eliminated, but they’re not willing either to raise taxes or to support cuts in any major government programs. And they’re not willing to participate in serious bipartisan discussions, either, because that might force them to explain their plan— **and there isn’t any plan, except to regain power.** ” (Emphasis mine.) We took our eyes of the ball. They never did. Put it this way: I’m glad I’m in the final third of my lifetime. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41352 "2019-06-23T01:00:27Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Apologies, **ThelmaLou**. I missed this till just now. No prob. I know you’re busy with your comfort food buffet. 🙂 …snip… > [@](#): > > As I’m sure you’re aware, economist Paul Krugman summarized as: “Rather than proposing unpopular spending cuts, Republicans would push through popular tax cuts, with the deliberate intention of worsening the government’s fiscal position. Spending cuts could then be sold as a necessity rather than a choice, the only way to eliminate an unsustainable budget deficit.” He wrote that the “…beast is starving, as planned…” and that “Republicans insist that the deficit must be eliminated, but they’re not willing either to raise taxes or to support cuts in any major government programs. And they’re not willing to participate in serious bipartisan discussions, either, because that might force them to explain their plan— **and there isn’t any plan, except to regain power.** ” (Emphasis mine.) Yes. Paul K. is my personal hero. > [@](#): > > We took our eyes of the ball. They never did. Yup. > [@](#): > > Put it this way: I’m glad I’m in the final third of my lifetime. NFJ. In 20 years, I’ll be 90 (God willing) and ready to check out. It’s one of those times I’m glad I don’t have kids/grandkids to worry about. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41353 "2019-06-23T18:24:51Z")
JUNE 22, 2019 The Oregon state legislature is working on a climate change bill, and Republican legislators refused to attend, preventing a quorum, so the Democratic Governor sent out state police to round up the missing Republicans to come to the legislature. Local militia groups are claiming they will protect the missing Republicans, and have called for an armed rally outside the state Capitol. The Capitol was shut down for safety reasons. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS) ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41354 "2019-06-23T19:30:16Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > JUNE 22, 2019 > The Oregon state legislature is working on a climate change bill, and Republican legislators refused to attend, preventing a quorum, so the Democratic Governor sent out state police to round up the missing Republicans to come to the legislature. Local militia groups are claiming they will protect the missing Republicans, and have called for an armed rally outside the state Capitol. The Capitol was shut down for safety reasons. > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS) From the same article: > [@](#): > > One of the missing Republicans, state Senator Brian Boquist, told Portland television station KGW on Wednesday that if state police come for him, they should “send bachelors and come heavily armed.” Have we ever had a sitting state senator die in a hail of police gunfire? ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41355 "2019-06-23T19:34:24Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > JUNE 22, 2019 > The Oregon state legislature is working on a climate change bill, and Republican legislators refused to attend, preventing a quorum, so the Democratic Governor sent out state police to round up the missing Republicans to come to the legislature. Local militia groups are claiming they will protect the missing Republicans, and have called for an armed rally outside the state Capitol. The Capitol was shut down for safety reasons. > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS) So this is what Republican leadership looks like today. Sigh. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41356 "2019-06-23T20:01:59Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > NFJ! … This stands for No Fucking Joke. Did I invent this? (Seriously, I don’t know if I did. Has anyone encountered it elsewhere?) ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41357 "2019-06-23T20:03:08Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > So this is what Republican leadership looks like today. Sigh. I don’t have a problem with the senators fleeing the state. Dems did it in Wisconsin in 2011, and I support the move in both cases, as long as it doesn’t shut down all legislative functions for too long. Gives the minority time to breathe before getting steamrolled by the majority. Mouth-breather militia types and the senators who support such stupidity, though… yeah, fuck those guys. I’ll be interested in seeing how Brian Boquist spins his comments to show him as anything other than a thug who’d rather murder police officers than abide the law. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41358 "2019-06-23T20:15:56Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > I don’t have a problem with the senators fleeing the state. Dems did it in Wisconsin in 2011, and I support the move in both cases, as long as it doesn’t shut down all legislative functions for too long. Gives the minority time to breathe before getting steamrolled by the majority. This is different tho. I. This situaion, the GOP has reneged on a promise not to do this. They got concesions from the Dems and now, by fleeing, are failing to do what they promised. They are bad faith actors and should not be trusted again. And that’s in addition to threatening violence. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41359 "2019-06-23T20:48:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > This is different tho. I. This situaion, the GOP has reneged on a promise not to do this. They _did_ promise not to do that! Bastards! > [@](#): > > May 7, 2019: Senate Republicans walked out for four days to protest a $2 billion tax package for K-12 schools. They later struck a deal with Brown, getting Democrats to kill bills addressing guns and vaccine exemptions. The deal also included a “reset” on the cap-and-trade bill and a promise not to walk out again. -[Statesman Journal](https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2019/06/20/oregon-legislators-minority-often-use-walkouts-leverage-senate-republicans/1516995001/) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41360 "2019-06-23T21:00:14Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > JUNE 22, 2019 > The Oregon state legislature is working on a climate change bill, and Republican legislators refused to attend, preventing a quorum, so the Democratic Governor sent out state police to round up the missing Republicans to come to the legislature. Local militia groups are claiming they will protect the missing Republicans, and have called for an armed rally outside the state Capitol. The Capitol was shut down for safety reasons. > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-oregon/oregon-capitol-building-closed-as-precaution-amid-partisan-dispute-idUSKCN1TN0PS) Why didn’t they simply show up and vote no? Are they afraid that the future will judge them on that vote? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41361 "2019-06-23T21:35:59Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > So this is what Republican leadership looks like today. Sigh. Just sent Brian an email. Between my Wife and I we have nearly 60 years of government jobs. I will not put up with this shit. In case anyone feels the same - Brian Boquist email ---
**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:** [June 23, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41362 "2019-06-23T21:38:05Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Why didn’t they simply show up and vote no? Are they afraid that the future will judge them on that vote? There are enough Democrats to pass the bill, but not enough to form a quorum to get the bill considered. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41363 "2019-06-23T21:43:43Z")
Is that legal for the state police to round up State Congressmen like that? N/M, just saw the topic in General Questions. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41364 "2019-06-23T22:06:04Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > There are enough Democrats to pass the bill, but not enough to form a quorum to get the bill considered. Ah, if two republicans showed up and voted no, it would be considered because the Dems are going to vote for it. But if they aren’t there even to vote against it, they don’t have a quorum, so it dies.(guessing) Brave, brave Sir Robin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2067) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2069)