# 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:** 332
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6621 "2012-08-28T14:39:49Z")
What is jamesmadison dot org about? (I’m not allowed to look at any kind of campaign websites at work.) ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6622 "2012-08-28T15:07:07Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > What is jamesmadison dot org about? (I’m not allowed to look at any kind of campaign websites at work.) From their “About Us” page" "About JMI The James Madison Institute is a Florida-based research and educational organization engaged in the battle of ideas. The Institute’s ideas are rooted in a belief in the U.S. Constitution and such timeless ideals as limited government, economic freedom, federalism, and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility. Mission The Institute’s mission is to keep the citizens of Florida informed about their government and to shape our state’s future through the advancement of practical free-market ideas on public policy issues. The Institute achieves its mission through research, conferences and seminars, and a variety of publications. Since its inception in 1987, the Institute has remained independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan. It makes no attempt to aid or hinder the passage of legislation, nor does it accept government funds or respond to special pleadings from any sector. Why James Madison Institute? Mr. Madison said it himself: “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” Silent we are not and silence on matter of public policy in Florida would be an abridgement of our mission. To keep Floridians informed about their government and to advance practical public policy solutions is the essence of our mission. James Madison, we believe, would have approved and no name could better suit the Institute." Their Board of Directors list just lists a bunch of names without much information. One member is described as a “Businessman and Civic Leader, Hilton Enterprises, Inc., Panama City.” Another is described as “Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Publix Super Markets, Lakeland.” Others are listed as “Business Leader” or “Civic leader.” Another as “Founding Chairman of JMI”, another as “President and CEO of JMI”. Three board members only list their city of residence as a credential. So, I don’t have a good feel for who they may be, especially in light of their featured speaker, O’Keefe. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6623 "2012-08-28T15:15:32Z")
One of my best friends is a Ron Paul supporter (yes, I know… please don’t hurt me). He predicted this back in May 2012. The GOP has really done its level best to come off as the Party of the Sith this time around. I mean, even when Darth Cheney was in charge, it wasn’t this bad. It is sad to see. I wonder if the Tea Party will split off their own political party. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6624 "2012-08-28T15:27:22Z")
Why is anyone surprised by this? Isn’t some form of institutionalized disenfranchisement a major part of the Republican campaign/platform? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6625 "2012-08-28T15:44:05Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Oh, okay. I see it now. I still don’t see those situations as being analogous though. Your daughter has a baby with her boyfriend, vs. your daughter gets pregnant by her rapist, and your response as a father is the same? Either child-out-of-wedlock is disproportionately bad in your mind, or you’re not quite grasping the concept of rape baby. We all know that the trauma of rape is having to cope with your daughter having a choice about what to do re: the resulting pregnancy. Some women claim there are other traumas involved, but we fathers understand that at some level they really wanted it. They’re just women after all. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6626 "2012-08-28T16:13:28Z")
**Ca3799** , thank you for taking the time to post that. When any organization goes to such lengths to tell you how non-partisan and neutral and non-involved they are, and then won’t tell you anything about who they are or what they’re up to (beyond keeping Floridians informed about “the battle of ideas”), then I get nervous. They’re conservatives or libertarians or some such and I don’t for a minute believe they’re not really involved in influencing policy. I wonder if Tom Smith’s daughter is over 18 and would consent to an interview. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6627 "2012-08-28T16:20:36Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > …I wonder if Tom Smith’s daughter is over 18 and would consent to an interview. Poor baby. “Gee, thanks Dad!”. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6628 "2012-08-28T16:56:42Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Why is anyone surprised by this? Isn’t some form of institutionalized disenfranchisement a major part of the Republican campaign/platform? Yeah, but disenfranchising THEMSELVES? That is some next-level Voldemort kind of shit, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6629 "2012-08-28T17:01:11Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > [Yes, but the Texas delegates are revolting.](http://www.salon.com/2012/08/27/texan_gop_delegation_revolts/) > > And they’re protesting the rule changes, too. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6630 "2012-08-28T17:13:21Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Poor baby. “Gee, thanks Dad!”. I want to hear her say, “My dad is an idiot, and I’m not voting for him.” ---
**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:** [August 28, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6631 "2012-08-28T18:53:26Z")
Note: [Next time, don’t choose a venue with nearby electronic billboards unless you can book them solid for the duration.](http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/democrats-hit-romney-for-outsourcing-on-billboard) ---
**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:** [August 28, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6632 "2012-08-28T23:53:09Z")
The Daily Caller has the skinny on the truth about the recent routine purchase of pistol ammo for SSA law enforcement officers. Turns out Obama plans to [arm the illegal immigrants, execute 174,000 members of the military, replace them with Homeland Security shock troops fanatically loyal only to himself, and then **kill each and every American citizen in the country.**](http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/08/28/daily-caller-op-ed-suggests-obama-administratio/189611) Sounds legit. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6633 "2012-08-29T00:08:26Z")
The retired military guy who wrote the article should know that only about 1/3 of shootings result in death. And Obama would surely have done his homework – so I figure the plans are to kill no more than 60,000 soldiers. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6634 "2012-08-29T00:09:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Daily Caller has the skinny on the truth about the recent routine purchase of pistol ammo for SSA law enforcement officers. > > Turns out Obama plans to [arm the illegal immigrants, execute 174,000 members of the military, replace them with Homeland Security shock troops fanatically loyal only to himself, and then **kill each and every American citizen in the country.**](http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/08/28/daily-caller-op-ed-suggests-obama-administratio/189611) > > Sounds legit. Sounds about right for Fucker Carlson’s place… ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6635 "2012-08-29T00:27:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Daily Caller has the skinny on the truth about the recent routine purchase of pistol ammo for SSA law enforcement officers. > > Turns out Obama plans to [arm the illegal immigrants, execute 174,000 members of the military, replace them with Homeland Security shock troops fanatically loyal only to himself, and then **kill each and every American citizen in the country.**](http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/08/28/daily-caller-op-ed-suggests-obama-administratio/189611) > > Sounds legit. So, the Daily Caller piece has to be parody, right? I mean, seriously, MediaMatters has been whooshed, right? Please tell me it’s parody. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6636 "2012-08-29T01:30:53Z")
Check out [this](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/public-schools-denounced-tea-party-rally-tampa-blamed-election-barack-obama) video of Neal Boortz at the convention. In short, he argues that public schools (aka “government schools” _cue scary music_) are bad, y’all. How bad? So bad that they enabled someone like Barack Obama to grow up and then become president of the United States. Maybe it’s the fact that I went to a government school that is causing me to be confused by his argument. But doesn’t it, like, reflect positively on public schools that they were able to produce a US president? It would seem to me that Neal’s position would be stronger if no presidents had come out of a public school system. Isn’t Obama proof that government schools arent always educational dead ends? Or maybe he’s trying to imply that government schools brainwash kids into being liberals that can then invade the White House? But private schools are capable of doing that too, right? Regardless of what his point is, I really hope Republicans make dismantling public schools their new Great Cause. It’ll go over amazingly well among the poor folk crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6637 "2012-08-29T01:47:09Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Regardless of what his point is, I really hope Republicans make dismantling public schools their new Great Cause. It’ll go over amazingly well among the poor folk crowd. I wouldn’t be too sure of that. When I taught in an economically disadvantaged area I was surprised to find many of the parents were very anti-school. I think they had had bad experiences with schooling when they were kids, and maintained a lot of suspicion towards school and teachers as a result. If true, this likely contributed to the area continuing to be economically disadvantaged. So if my experience is any kind of predictor, it could be another area in which the Republicans are able to get people to vote against their own interests. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6638 "2012-08-29T02:47:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Daily Caller has the skinny on the truth about the recent routine purchase of pistol ammo for SSA law enforcement officers. > > Turns out Obama plans to [arm the illegal immigrants, execute 174,000 members of the military, replace them with Homeland Security shock troops fanatically loyal only to himself, and then **kill each and every American citizen in the country.**](http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/08/28/daily-caller-op-ed-suggests-obama-administratio/189611) > > Sounds legit. Now, that’s a plan I can vote for! America for the Amerinds, I say! Wait, what? Obama’s a Democrat? With a base in US citizen labor, descended from Europeans and Africans? His wife and kids are American citizens? _So’s he?_ Dammit, Tucker Carlson is sniffing glue now, isn’t he? George Will just keeps failing to kick the bucket, so Tucker can never take his place as the goofy rightie with a bowtie, and now he’s turned to drugs. Tucker, Tucker, they’re never going to give you Will’s spot on\* This Week\* anyway. Not how it works. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6639 "2012-08-29T02:50:23Z")
He’s dead, Jim. And wearing a bow tie. This man is dead and wearing a bowtie. Jim. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6640 "2012-08-29T03:07:05Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Check out [this](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/public-schools-denounced-tea-party-rally-tampa-blamed-election-barack-obama) video of Neal Boortz at the convention. > > In short, he argues that public schools (aka “government schools” _cue scary music_) are bad, y’all. How bad? So bad that they enabled someone like Barack Obama to grow up and then become president of the United States. Well, what’s so great about being president, anyway. Today’s kids should aspire to, and schools should be preparing them for, positions as true national heroes, like hedge fund managers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=331) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=333)