# 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:** 2071
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41405 "2019-06-29T22:15:43Z")
North Carolina Lt. Governor [Dan Forest](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article232077907.html?fbclid=IwAR3_-NuEBhPI6rx_t-9bo4vOc5vVeC2_E7pKlm7A7OJ3BGm8DY8DxwroJso), everyone: > [@](#): > > [N]o other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today ---
**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 29, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41406 "2019-06-29T23:04:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > North Carolina Lt. Governor [Dan Forest](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article232077907.html?fbclid=IwAR3_-NuEBhPI6rx_t-9bo4vOc5vVeC2_E7pKlm7A7OJ3BGm8DY8DxwroJso), everyone: I’m amazed to see that there is virtually no attention being paid to this. Yes, he’s only a Lieutenant Governor, but…wow. I got only five hits for the partial quotation “no other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism”. Cutting the that partial quote down a bit further garners a few more hits, but only a few. So I guess this is just ‘normal,’ eh? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41407 "2019-06-29T23:06:10Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > North Carolina Lt. Governor [Dan Forest](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article232077907.html?fbclid=IwAR3_-NuEBhPI6rx_t-9bo4vOc5vVeC2_E7pKlm7A7OJ3BGm8DY8DxwroJso), everyone: > > > [@](#): > > > > [N]o other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today Funny, I seem to recall that ancient Rome was a way more diverse place – and they ruled most of the world for 3 or 4 times as long as the USA has existed. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41408 "2019-06-30T00:59:46Z")
In an [editorial](https://www.israelhayom.com/2019/06/27/a-time-of-miracles/) entitled “A Time of Miracles” in the Israeli newspaper her husband, Sheldon Adelson, created to undermine journalism in Israel (it’s given away for free), Miriam Adelson praises Trump for doing their bidding (in return for at least $100 million in campaign donations) by moving the U. S. Embassy to Jerusalem. She continues licking his ass for several paragraphs, with gems such as: > [@Miriam Adelson](#): > > [Trump] is constantly aware of that cost that the United States risks paying should it lose credibility. An America the [sic] projects strength and credibility rallies most world powers to it; these, in turn, respect and value its steadfast loyalty to its allies, chief among them Israel. She complains, > [@](#): > > By rights, Trump should enjoy sweeping support among US Jews, just as he does among Israelis. That this has not been the case (so far; the 2020 election still beckons) is an oddity that will long be pondered by historians. Scholars of the Bible will no doubt note the heroes, sages, and prophets of antiquity who were similarly spurned by the very people they came to raise up. …and concludes… > [@](#): > > Would it be too much to pray for a day when the Bible gets a “Book of Trump,” much like it has a “Book of Esther” celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from ancient Persia? This is not The Onion or Andy Borowitz, or an offhand comment or misquotation. She really wrote this down and had it published. Have I won this thread? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41409 "2019-06-30T03:55:57Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “Duty to the party” is SO 1984… Duty now for the future! Are we not men? ---
**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 30, 2019, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41410 "2019-06-30T04:18:30Z")
There’s already a “Book of Trump” - It’s called “Revelations”. ---
**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 30, 2019, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41411 "2019-06-30T05:06:33Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > In an [editorial](https://www.israelhayom.com/2019/06/27/a-time-of-miracles/) entitled “A Time of Miracles” in the Israeli newspaper her husband, Sheldon Adelson, created to undermine journalism in Israel (it’s given away for free), Miriam Adelson praises Trump for doing their bidding (in return for at least $100 million in campaign donations) by moving the U. S. Embassy to Jerusalem. > > She continues licking his ass for several paragraphs, with gems such as: > > She complains, …and concludes… > > This is not The Onion or Andy Borowitz, or an offhand comment or misquotation. She really wrote this down and had it published. > > Have I won this thread? I dunno if you won’t he thread or not but I wanted to point out that that cocksucker bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal a few years back and turned it into a clone of Fox News. If you come to Las Vegas, remember that there are lots of place to stay beside the Venetian or Palazzo and other ways to get your news, even local Las Vegas news. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41412 "2019-06-30T05:08:01Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > Funny, I seem to recall that ancient Rome was a way more diverse place – and they ruled most of the world for 3 or 4 times as long as the USA has existed. Their Republic did fall once they turned to providential strongmen to protect them from damned dirty foreigners however. I ain’t sayin’, I’m just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41413 "2019-06-30T13:40:44Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > North Carolina Lt. Governor [Dan Forest](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article232077907.html?fbclid=IwAR3_-NuEBhPI6rx_t-9bo4vOc5vVeC2_E7pKlm7A7OJ3BGm8DY8DxwroJso), everyone: > [@](#): > > [N]o other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today It would be hilarious if he turned out to be [native American](https://pics.me.me/homeland-security-fighting-terrorism-since-1492-22032610.png) and was being subtle. Somehow, I [doubt it](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Dan_Forest_in_2018.jpg). ---
**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:** [June 30, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41414 "2019-06-30T15:42:43Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > She complains … Because apparently the Jewish Hive Mind is not functioning according to her expectations. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41415 "2019-07-01T01:47:31Z")
I think Tucker Carlson might be a Republican, [his bow tie said](https://news.yahoo.com/leading-country-apos-means-killing-205037725.html) _(there) is no defending the North Korean regime … On the other hand, you’ve got to be honest about what it means to lead a country. It means killing people …_ ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41416 "2019-07-01T02:09:06Z")
Someone should ask Tucker if the forced abortions in North Korea are a necessary part of leadership. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41417 "2019-07-01T12:30:04Z")
There’s a name for it: **Competitive Authoritarianism**. [ **Do the Republicans Even Believe in Democracy Anymore?** _They pay lip service to it, but they actively try to undermine its institutions._](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/opinion/republicans-trump-democracy.html?emc=rss&partner=rsshttp://) > [@](#): > > …Today, rather than simply playing the game, the Republicans are simultaneously trying to rig the game’s rules so that they never lose. > > The aggressive gerrymandering, which the Supreme Court just declared to be a matter beyond its purview; the voter suppression schemes; the dubious proposals that haven’t gone anywhere — yet — like trying to award presidential electoral votes by congressional district rather than by state, a scheme that Republicans in five states considered after the 2012 election and that is still discussed: These are not ideas aimed at invigorating democracy. They are hatched and executed for the express purpose of essentially fixing elections. > … > > A couple of weekends ago, I tripped across a 2010 book called “Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes After the Cold War,” by Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way. > … > > What defines competitive authoritarian states? They are “civilian regimes in which formal democratic institutions exist and are widely viewed as the primary means of gaining power, but in which incumbents’ abuse of the state places them at a significant advantage vis-à-vis their opponents.” Sound like anyone you know? > … > > I literally gasped as I read certain passages, notably the part about the important role of a strong party in winning elections and in controlling legislatures. “Legislative control is critical in competitive authoritarian regimes,” the authors write. > … > > For one, there’s President Trump. Think of his efforts to do things like politicize the institutions of the executive branch, to try to turn the Department of Justice into his personal law firm. Think of his threat in 2016 that he would honor the results of the election “if I win,” and his recent musings about staying beyond two terms. Think of his commerce secretary’s attempt to add a citizenship question to the census, which would benefit the Republicans electorally. These are all manifestations of competitive authoritarianism. > > Second — and maybe even more so — there’s the Republican Party. The gerrymandering enabled them to maintain their House majority during the Obama years even as Democratic House candidates were winning more votes. But there’s much more. “Recent Republican behavior — from the 2016 stolen Supreme Court seat to the legislative shenanigans that followed gubernatorial defeats in North Carolina and Wisconsin to voter suppression efforts across numerous states — suggests a party whose commitment to democratic politics has weakened,” Mr. Levitsky said. “The fact that the Republican Party has grown increasingly authoritarian poses a greater threat to American democracy than Donald Trump.” > … Lookin’ at you, Mitch. :dubious: ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41418 "2019-07-01T14:31:09Z")
Remember that “America isn’t a democracy; it’s a republic” is a right-wing meme. ---
**Author:** ![jesuslynch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jesuslynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesuslynch)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41419 "2019-07-01T15:08:41Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Duty now for the future! Are we not men? We are Devo! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41420 "2019-07-01T18:33:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > There’s a name for it: **Competitive Authoritarianism**. > > [ **Do the Republicans Even Believe in Democracy Anymore?** > _They pay lip service to it, but they actively try to undermine its institutions._](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/opinion/republicans-trump-democracy.html?emc=rss&partner=rsshttp://) > Lookin’ at you, Mitch. :dubious: Thank you for that. Gonna start a Great Debate about it. Would love to see the Straight Dope Right Brigade say “Nuh huh” to it but be unable to defend the actions their party have taken. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41421 "2019-07-01T19:41:06Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Thank you for that. Gonna start a Great Debate about it. Would love to see the Straight Dope Right Brigade say “Nuh huh” to it but be unable to defend the actions their party have taken. You are so welcome. 🙂 ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41422 "2019-07-01T20:33:07Z")
07.01.19 Ted Cruz compares himself to Rosa Parks. > **[Lawyers for Ted Cruz’s Campaign Compare Him to Rosa Parks in FEC Lawsuit](https://www.thedailybeast.com/lawyers-for-ted-cruz-campaign-compare-senator-to-rosa-parks-in-fec-lawsuit)** > > “Yes, and Rosa Parks could have sat in the back of the bus,” the lawyers wrote when discussing FEC rules against giving Cruz his $10K campaign loan back. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41423 "2019-07-01T21:28:11Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > 07.01.19 > Ted Cruz compares himself to Rosa Parks. > [Lawyers for Ted Cruz’s Campaign Compare Him to Rosa Parks in FEC Lawsuit](https://www.thedailybeast.com/lawyers-for-ted-cruz-campaign-compare-senator-to-rosa-parks-in-fec-lawsuit) [Come on… _Ted_.](https://giant.gfycat.com/InsignificantGratefulHagfish.webm) ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/41424 "2019-07-02T01:35:10Z")
This probably isn’t a perfect fit for this thread, but I’m not sure where else to put it. “Governor who enabled Flint’s water crisis gets hired by Harvard to ‘improve how government works” From Here: > **[Governor who enabled Flint’s water crisis gets hired by Harvard to ‘improve...](https://deadstate.org/governor-who-enabled-flints-water-crisis-gets-hired-by-harvard-to-improve-how-government-works/)** > > According to an announcement from Harvard University, former Michigan governor Rick Snyder will begin a one-year fellowship with the school this Monday. As The Detroit News points out, Snyder will be a senior research fellow at the Kennedy... This pisses me the fuck off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2070) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2072)