# 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:** 209
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4161 "2012-01-12T09:38:47Z")
James O’Keefe of “fake ACORN pimp” fame is apparently very concerned that people are committing voter fraud by impersonating dead voters, which is a federal crime. So, in order to prove it, he decided to [commit said federal crime himself, film himself doing it, and post the video online for anyone to see.](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/11/402756/james-o-keefe-voter-fraud/) I _really_ hope he gets what’s coming to him. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2012, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4162 "2012-01-12T09:48:18Z")
I dislike spouting memes too much, but the only reaction this story can possibly get is “herp derp”. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4163 "2012-01-12T09:55:26Z")
This is my favourite comment about the story so far: > [@](#): > > Election law expert Rick Hasen, who writes the Election Law Blog, joked in an email to TPM that O’Keefe’s team should “ **next show how easy it is to rob a bank with a plastic gun**.” ---
**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 12, 2012, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4164 "2012-01-12T09:58:47Z")
I think we should call this the O’Keefe Defense: “I only committed armed robbery to show that people could commit armed robbery if they wanted to, even though virtually nobody does.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4165 "2012-01-12T13:18:34Z")
In a rare moment that could fit into both the “Republican” and “Liberal” stupid idea threads, Rick Perry decided to attack Romney for his involvement with Bain Capital, a private equity firm that is accused of purchasing companies and gutting them for a profit. Perry says that “I know the difference between venture capitalism and vulture capitalism.” Come on, Rickmeister. If you wanted to say that naked unfettered capitalism doesn’t always do what’s best for the American economy, let alone its workers, I’d be with you. But the only difference between Bain Capital and 75% of the other companies in America is ability. So take your concern trolling, opportunistic attacks elsewhere. If you were in power I bet you’d want to lessen taxes and regulation on Bain and others. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4166 "2012-01-12T23:42:21Z")
And not just of the “omigod, please don’t let me fail this test” variety. It’s only a bill so far, and with luck it will die in committee, but I find it a bit worrisome that no fewer than three Indiana state senators think that [making it legal for a school to require students to say the Lord’s Prayer every morning](http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0251.1.html) is a good idea. The link is to the text of the bill. So, let’s see. Violation of the First Amendment? Check. Big government intrusion into people’s lives? Check. Extreme religiousity? Check. Bets that if people protest, there will be cries of “war on christianity”? No check yet. \ ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4167 "2012-01-13T18:34:49Z")
> **[RNC Decides to Finish Destroying Democracy](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/01/12/1054282/-RNC-Decides-to-Finish-Destroying-Democracy?via=siderec)** > > There are headlines that are so jaw-dropping in their implications that they stop you cold in your tracks. Then, when you try to tell others about them, talking about them doesn't work. You just ... I nominate this totally awesome idea to roll back 100 years of efforts to keep direct corporate contributions out of politics. What we need is even more ability for the corporations to control the entire political process. After all, in the words of Mitt Romney (R - Job Destroyer), corporations are people too, for Pete’s sake! ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4168 "2012-01-13T18:50:02Z")
Maybe candidates could sell off branding rights. Vote for Microsoft’s Pat Paulsen! ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4169 "2012-01-13T19:43:26Z")
All this talk about “corporations are people too” reminds me of a documentary I saw called [The Corporation](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/). It argues that if a corporation _were_ a person, that person would be a completely amoral psychopath. (Netflix has it if you’re interested.) ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4170 "2012-01-14T01:09:23Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > All this talk about “corporations are people too” reminds me of a documentary I saw called [The Corporation](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/). It argues that if a corporation _were_ a person, that person would be a completely amoral psychopath. > > (Netflix has it if you’re interested.) I think one of the under appreciated aspects of modern American society is that as corporations are responsible for more and more of the interactions in everyday life, people are basically forced to constantly deal with sociopathic behavior. I don’t think that’s healthy for society. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4171 "2012-01-14T20:20:43Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > I think one of the under appreciated aspects of modern American society is that as corporations are responsible for more and more of the interactions in everyday life, people are basically forced to constantly deal with sociopathic behavior. I don’t think that’s healthy for society. Strange women in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! I don’t know when we’ll have a sea change in how corporations do their business-hopefully from a more enlightened and pluralistic perspective. Right now everything they do is extremely and narrowly focused on profits, and no other considerations need take a seat. I don’t know if new laws which would force them to broaden their perspectives would do the trick, or not-for example, certain costs are not taken into account-oil and gas companies don’t have to pay for the costs of dirtying our air and increasing our CO2 levels-they essentially get a free ride. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4172 "2012-01-14T20:41:42Z")
Arizona has decided to repurchase their state house, Senate and an office building: [http://www.yumasun.com/articles/state-75831-brewer-arizona.html#ixzz1jA7WWe2B](http://www.yumasun.com/articles/state-75831-brewer-arizona.html#ixzz1jA7WWe2B) After selling them for $81 million a couple of years ago, they’re buying them back for $105 million. From the article, it’s not _quite_ as bad as it sounds, but close. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4173 "2012-01-15T22:19:29Z")
On Rick Perry’s planet desecrating corpses is just [youthful hijinks and not a criminal act.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/rick-perry-defends-marines-accused-of-urinating-on-afghan-corpses/2012/01/15/gIQALCZ60P_blog.html) _“The idea that this administration would go after these young people for a criminal act — again, I think it is over the top,” Perry said when asked how the incident should be handled. “Did they make a mistake? Absolutely. Should they be reprimanded and appropriately punished? Yes. But going after them as a criminal act, I think – really bad message.”_ ---
**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 15, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4174 "2012-01-15T22:28:54Z")
What message is that, I wonder. Is it not a criminal act? ---
**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:** [January 15, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4175 "2012-01-15T23:13:17Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > On Rick Perry’s planet desecrating corpses is just [youthful hijinks and not a criminal act.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/rick-perry-defends-marines-accused-of-urinating-on-afghan-corpses/2012/01/15/gIQALCZ60P_blog.html) This is making my head hurt. According to the article, Perry says the whitehouse is showing “disdain for the military”, because some marines that pissed on corpses might be punished for that act. So I guess in his world, members of the military are to be honored for pissing on corpses? Or should we just wink at them and look the other way? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4176 "2012-01-15T23:43:11Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > This is making my head hurt. > > According to the article, Perry says the whitehouse is showing “disdain for the military”, because some marines that pissed on corpses might be punished for that act. > > So I guess in his world, members of the military are to be honored for pissing on corpses? Or should we just wink at them and look the other way? Don’t forget that this is the party that considered what went on in Abu Ghraib to be nothing more than fratboy pranks. Why do you hate fratboys? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4177 "2012-01-15T23:52:12Z")
Well sure, if you’re already for torturing them when alive, taking a wiz on 'em when they’re dead isn’t gonna bother you much. Regardless, is going after these soldiers really something the executive branch is behind? Or is it just the army (or whatever branch) on its own? ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4178 "2012-01-16T00:34:17Z")
If four young Taliban “frat boys” pissed all over dead US Marines . . . would Perry be outraged? WWPD\* \*What Would Perry Do? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4179 "2012-01-16T02:04:06Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > If four young Taliban “frat boys” pissed all over dead US Marines . . . would Perry be outraged? \*\* WWPD\* > > _What Would Perry Do?_\* He’d wait for Obama to react, then take the opposite view. I rather suspect that’s what most Republican posturing is based on. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4180 "2012-01-16T05:36:32Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Strange women in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! > > I don’t know when we’ll have a sea change in how corporations do their business-hopefully from a more enlightened and pluralistic perspective. Right now everything they do is extremely and narrowly focused on profits, and no other considerations need take a seat. I don’t know if new laws which would force them to broaden their perspectives would do the trick, or not-for example, certain costs are not taken into account-oil and gas companies don’t have to pay for the costs of dirtying our air and increasing our CO2 levels-they essentially get a free ride. This is kind of like wondering whether new laws would curb the tendency of humans to turn so much oxygen into CO2. Short-term profits are the sole purpose of corporations. Everything else - making items or services, hiring people, etc… is a means to that end. Even if you somehow managed to fund a corporation the goal of which was to end all polluting forever, save the whales and piss rainbows, it would still cut every corner possible to make more profits. The rainbows would be of shoddy make, too, to ensure consumer fidelity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=208) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=210)