# 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:** 294
**Author:** ![ScarletNumber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@ScarletNumber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScarletNumber)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5861 "2012-07-07T01:49:42Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > I always try to defend New Hampshire slightly by pointing out that their House of Representatives has 400 legislators, who meet for about two weeks per year, and get a $200 stipend (off the top of my head; I know 400 members is correct, the other two figures are IIRC). Also, there are districts which elect multiple (I think up to nine) members. In a year like 2010, where there’s a huge wave election, you’re getting a whole bunch of crazy retired people filling out those #8 and #9 slots from some legislative district in the middle of nowhere that still make it in on a party line vote. It’s like a perfect storm situation for giving the cranks that write letters to the editor of the local paper every week an actual political job. Just to clarify, that is $200 per 2 year term. They also get a per diem. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5862 "2012-07-07T02:07:04Z")
Since Google apparently knows my home state, I just now saw a Google ad (not a vid, just a clickthrough) on YouTube against incumbent US Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri): > [@](#): > > Tell Senator McCaskill: > NO MO SPENDING > [LEARN MORE](http://americansforprosperity.org/missouri/nomospending/) :facepalm: So, no spending on Mo? Yeah, that’ll help. What part of Missouri are you from that you don’t call Missouri, “Mo”? Oh, no, the ad writer’s probably somewhere else. Maybe they thought it would read as spending\* by \*Mo. Yeah, sure, as if. Guess what doesn’t sell that well (outside a subsistence-level agrarian economy) in a depression: Telling people you aren’t spending money on them or their services, so they just can’t make any money. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5863 "2012-07-07T03:22:33Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > I always try to defend New Hampshire slightly by pointing out that their House of Representatives has 400 legislators, who meet for about two weeks per year, and get a $200 stipend (off the top of my head; I know 400 members is correct, the other two figures are IIRC). Also, there are districts which elect multiple (I think up to nine) members. In a year like 2010, where there’s a huge wave election, you’re getting a whole bunch of crazy retired people filling out those #8 and #9 slots from some legislative district in the middle of nowhere that still make it in on a party line vote. It’s like a perfect storm situation for giving the cranks that write letters to the editor of the local paper every week an actual political job. Pointing out a Republican majority maintains a stupid system is not really much of a defense. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5864 "2012-07-07T03:22:55Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > [McCotter has given up on his write-in candidacy](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mccotter-opts-against-write-in-campaign/2012/06/02/gJQAVM4CAV_blog.html?wprss=rss_politics). It seems that providing the name of the staff member who falsified the signatures (he has apparently suggested he already knows who it is) will somehow take up so much time that he won’t have time to ask people to write his name on the ballot, let alone teach them how to spell it. A little followup on an earlier stupidity. You may recall that Congressman Thaddeous McCotter (R) ran a fleeting campaign for President. Then somehow his re-election campaign to Congress went off the rails and failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot. The he decided to run a write-in campaign to keep his seat. Then he decided to drop out of the race, possibly because of a criminal investigation related to fraudulent signatures on the ballots he did turn in. Now he has outright resigned his seat, not even waiting for the end of his term. His [resignation statement is rather endearing and stirring](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/rep-thaddeus-mccotter-resigns-congress-212420069.html), though the same kind of nonsense one would expect from, say, Newt Gingrich. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5865 "2012-07-07T04:21:48Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > There is (unfortunately :D) a [bit more to the story.](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/03/156214803/woman-sentenced-to-read-the-bible-yes-but-theres-more-to-the-story) > > …and a bit more at the link. Still screwy, but not as bad as it first appears. Nope, it’s worse. She was repeatedly physically abused as a child by a relative who doused her with gasoline and set her on fire leaving her visibly scarred with tremendously low self-esteem and an alcohol problem. Unmarried, three children, of whom only the youngest will be in the father’s custody while she serves her sentence, the other two to be cared for by her pastor. And then this: > [@](#): > > Jack Swerling, a Columbia defense lawyer who has been trying cases for 40 years, said he hasn’t witnessed a ruling quite like this one. > > Swerling isn’t connected to Tolley’s case, but he said he has argued cases before Nettles. > > “He is very well respected on both sides of the fence,” Swerling said. “He enjoys a really great reputation. My feeling about Judge Nettles is, he really tries to be fair.” > > Given Tolley’s background, the ruling “is entirely appropriate,” Swerling said. > > “It’s pretty clever and creative.” > > Read more here: [http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/07/01/4084671/york-defendant-thankful-for-penance.html#storylink=cpy](http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/07/01/4084671/york-defendant-thankful-for-penance.html#storylink=cpy) The court feels it’s important she understand that God is just testing her faith. What a creative and clever ruling! ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5866 "2012-07-07T13:15:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Now he has outright resigned his seat, not even waiting for the end of his term. His [resignation statement is rather endearing and stirring](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/rep-thaddeus-mccotter-resigns-congress-212420069.html), though the same kind of nonsense one would expect from, say, Newt Gingrich. Look I think the guys a jackass, but as those things go, that’s a pretty good resignation letter. Newt’s would have been _very_ specific (and probably inaccurate) about exactly who created the “calumnies, indignities and deceits” which were causing him to quit. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5867 "2012-07-07T14:19:49Z")
That’s no big surprise. It happens every week. But this time he did it in MTV-Jersey Shore fashion. > **[Christie Blows Up At Jersey Shore Heckler](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-christie-jersey-shore_n_1654583)** > > Christie Blows Up At Jersey Shore Heckler > [@](#): > > While on vacation with his family in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Thursday, the Republican governor lashed out at a passerby who, according to TMZ, made a derisive comment about his education policies. > > “You’re a real big shot,” Christie fired back at his heckler. “You’re a real big shot shooting your mouth off.” > > The man responded: “Just take care of the teachers.” > > Christie approached the man, yelling at him to “keep walkin’ away … keep walkin’.” A man accompanying Christie then put his hand on the governor’s shoulder and walked with him in the opposite direction. Well, at least it wasn’t Guido Beach. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5868 "2012-07-07T18:13:58Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Pointing out a Republican majority maintains a stupid system is not really much of a defense. The previous session of the legislature, under which the rules that the current crop of clowns was elected could have been changed, had a Democratic majority. I think the next election will involve some changes to the multi-member districts part. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5869 "2012-07-07T18:56:36Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Well, at least it wasn’t Guido Beach. Apparently you’re unfamiliar w Seaside Heights. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5870 "2012-07-07T22:44:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I should like to introduce her to my personal Congressman, the Hon. Keith Ellison (D-MN). (He’s a Lutheran Muslim, so that’s more or less OK…) Sounds like Congresswoman Michele Bachmann isn’t going to be Ellison’s BFF anytime soon; she’s decided to consort with Satan instead and channel [Joseph McCarthy](http://www.examiner.com/article/investigation-into-muslim-brotherhood-breach-of-the-obama-administration). Kudos to Congressman Ellison, who has to put up with 'ol Crazy Eyes. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5871 "2012-07-07T23:05:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > He’s a Lutheran Muslim Ah, I see they’ve resolved the “Is lutefisk halal?” question, then… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5872 "2012-07-07T23:08:16Z")
The Prophet had nothing against fish, he never saw one. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5873 "2012-07-07T23:16:32Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > The Prophet had nothing against fish, he never saw one. Yeah, but even if he had, he wouldn’t recognize lutefisk as one… ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5874 "2012-07-07T23:40:24Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Yeah, but even if he had, he wouldn’t recognize lutefisk as one… That’s what it is? I always thought it was oddly-shaped wallboard. ---
**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:** [July 8, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5875 "2012-07-08T02:15:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Joe Walsh, the tea party congressman you may recall as a [deadbeat dad](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/07/28/281570/rep-joe-walsh-defends-not-paying-117000-in-child-support-this-is-where-real-america-is/), who [accused American Jews of anti-semitism](http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/05/26/169835/walsh-lectures-jews/), and [shouted at one of his constituents that her Post Office job “wasn’t necessary”,](http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/10/365890/walsh-insults-post-office-worker/) is now running for reelection against Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth, an Army helicopter pilot who lost both her legs during the Iraq war. > > [According to Walsh, however, she’s not a “true hero”, because she talks about her service](http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/07/03/510443/joe-walsh-tammy-duckworth-service/), unlike John McCain, who never mentioned it. He’s at it again. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-joe-walsh-and-his-ignoble-service/2012/07/06/gJQAq7KfSW\_story.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-joe-walsh-and-his-ignoble-service/2012/07/06/gJQAq7KfSW_story.html) > [@](#): > > . . . Thursday afternoon, when he managed to utter the word “Ashleigh” 91 times over the course of a 12-minute interview. > > This bizarre verbal obsession had origins in the freshman tea party Republican’s town hall meeting in Illinois a few days earlier, . . . > [@](#): > > . . . the lawmaker continued his self-destruction by appearing on CNN and declining host Ashleigh Banfield’s invitation to cast his remarks as a “slip-up.” Instead, he scolded “Ashleigh,” using her first name repeatedly when he wasn’t calling the 44-year-old anchor “kiddo” or asking the recently naturalized citizen whether she served in the military. . . . The guy gives me creeps and I’ve only read about him a couple of times and watched two videos. I’d shudder if I lived in his district. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5876 "2012-07-08T16:07:02Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > He’s at it again. > [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-joe-walsh-and-his-ignoble-service/2012/07/06/gJQAq7KfSW\_story.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-joe-walsh-and-his-ignoble-service/2012/07/06/gJQAq7KfSW_story.html)… > > The guy gives me creeps and I’ve only read about him a couple of times and watched two videos. I’d shudder if I lived in his district. Shudder?! I’d freaking MOVE, if only to avoid the people who elected this slimeball! ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5877 "2012-07-08T16:11:17Z")
Why not vote for [this guy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Walsh)? ---
**Author:** ![ScarletNumber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@ScarletNumber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScarletNumber)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5878 "2012-07-08T16:15:45Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > That’s no big surprise. It happens every week. But this time he did it in MTV-Jersey Shore fashion. > > [Chris Christie Blows Up At Jersey Shore Heckler | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/chris-christie-jersey-shore_n_1654583.html) > > Well, at least it wasn’t Guido Beach. I wouldn’t say he lost his temper. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5879 "2012-07-08T17:41:24Z")
> [@Even seven](#): > > I wouldn’t say he lost his temper. Really? I’d say he lost his temper like a rather petulant child. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/5880 "2012-07-08T19:43:40Z")
He doesn’t have any temper (temperateness) to lose!\* Ba-dum tish\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=293) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=295)