# 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:** 389
**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:** [December 4, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7761 "2012-12-04T21:02:59Z")
According to a new poll by PPP, [49% of Republicans believe ACORN is responsible for stealing the election for Obama.](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/12/republicans-not-handling-election-results-well.html) ACORN, of course, [no longer exists.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Community_Organizations_for_Reform_Now) ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7762 "2012-12-04T21:16:14Z")
ACORN has always existed and will always exist. ACORN is the Id, the Ego, and the Superego of our collective consciousness. It is in ACORN that we trust. The ACORN is everywhere. Especially as it gets closer to Autumn’s end and we store them up for the long Winter ahead. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7763 "2012-12-04T21:19:15Z")
IBD, feeling lonely since the Hawking healthcare idiocy, are back in the saddle: Obama declares War on Christmas by[having too many Christmas trees in the White House](http://news.investors.com/politics-andrew-malcolm/120312-635425-fiscal-cliff-talks-stall-as-obama-white-house-erects-its-own-tree-grove.htm?ven=rss). And by going on vacation at Christmas. And by having a large carbon footprint. Or something. I can’t keep up and neither can the author of that piece. Anyway, the point is: Obama bad. ---
**Author:** ![Askthepizzaguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askthepizzaguy/32/9405_2.png) [@Askthepizzaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askthepizzaguy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7764 "2012-12-04T21:26:12Z")
This is what happens when you deprive Democrats of their beloved ACORNS. [We get feisty.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=D6FAzLIQ4_s&NR=1) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7765 "2012-12-04T21:33:18Z")
A UN treaty on the rights of the disabled (supported by Bob Dole, who went in person while in his wheelchair to Capitol Hill) was [blocked by Republican “no” votes](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/04/despite-dole-appearance-senate-fails-to-ratify-disabilities-treaty/) who apparently believe that it would lead to UN authority over the country and abortions everywhere. Note that even countries like China have already taken it up. I considered using the forehead slap emoticon, but that doesn’t even begin to cover the depths of my contempt. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7766 "2012-12-04T21:36:39Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to a new poll by PPP, [49% of Republicans believe ACORN is responsible for stealing the election for Obama.](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/12/republicans-not-handling-election-results-well.html) > > ACORN, of course, [no longer exists.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Community_Organizations_for_Reform_Now) Also. Number of fraudulent voters registered by ACORN in 2008. Zero Total number of voters registered by ACORN in 2008. Also Zero ACORN never registered anyone. They distributed and collected voter registration cards; then turned them in to the state registration offices IIRC. Possibly good ones in one pile, obviously fake/weird/crazy in another pile. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7767 "2012-12-04T21:37:47Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > A UN treaty on the rights of the disabled (supported by Bob Dole, who went in person while in his wheelchair to Capitol Hill) was [blocked by Republican “no” votes](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/04/despite-dole-appearance-senate-fails-to-ratify-disabilities-treaty/) who apparently believe that it would lead to UN authority over the country and abortions everywhere. Note that even countries like China have already taken it up. > > I considered using the forehead slap emoticon, but that doesn’t even begin to cover the depths of my contempt. Congressional Republicans remind me of The Simpsons episode, where the PTA votes “no” on everything, including free fire extinguisher refills. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7768 "2012-12-04T21:54:11Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Congressional Republicans remind me of The Simpsons episode, where the PTA votes “no” on everything, including free fire extinguisher refills. Oh my God, the PTA has disbanded! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (jumps out window) ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7769 "2012-12-05T04:55:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Oh my God, the PTA has disbanded! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! > > (jumps out window) No no, the PTA has not disbanded! ---
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7770 "2012-12-05T05:17:07Z")
I’ve been driving a lot in the past couple weeks to see family. On these drives, since I don’t have a way to play podcasts or mp3s over my car stereo, and since it’s a lot of mileage where the only radio stations are top 40, pop country, or classic rock (I am no snob but I’ve just listened to thousands of hours of each of these already) I’ve gotten into the habit of entertaining myself with AM talk radio. So, get ready, this is going to be an easy target, but I just wanted to bitch a little about the stupid things these people are saying, and I don’t dislike any of my friends enough to force them to listen to me ramble about something so frivolous. Today the host and another guy were having a furious circlejerk about how all their rich friends are goin’ Galt. They’re leaving operations of their business. They’re trying to get dual citizenship somewhere else. They’re battening down the hatches before Obama enacts his evil true socialist plans. Dear Mr. Talk Radio Host and Caller: Actual businessmen are still looking for and finding opportunities. Actual smart money doesn’t waste its time calling into shows to bitch about things the President hasn’t even _contemplated_. When I hear people say “Obama is going to make me close up shop,” I take that as a cue to run like the wind from their business. Why do these people get away with trumpeting that their businesses are shaky? Some of them have investors who should be pissed at them dragging their investment through the mud to make a political point. Of course, the distinction about “smart money” belies the distinction that most of the complainers weren’t smart about getting into their money. We’ve made ourselves a society where anyone with capital can at least hold it with pretty minimal brainpower. There’s a whole industry of franchising and turnkey businesses. Real estate and equities are long-term winning bets. There’s ways to make a living on government contracts. These are all fine careers to be in. Don’t get me wrong, you have put in long, hard hours, and we are better off for most of your work. But don’t pretend you’re an innovator, or that we should care about your opinion any more than anyone else who works 60 or 80 hours a week. You are not John Galt. And if you’re not innovating, you’re replaceable - just as much a redundancy in the economy’s eyes as blue collar workers have been to their employers the past few decades. Remember that. Also, if you really do truly get your rocks off to small government and libertarianism, well, I can respect that. Principled libertarians are some of the best idealists and believers in their cause that I know. But if you were principled, then your talking point wouldn’t be “I’m applying for dual citizenship.” That’s just mind bogglingly stupid. One government too big? Put yourself under the thumb of two! Yes, I understand what you actually are trying to do - live out some more jetsetter rich man fantasies, structure your money so as to avoid even more of your tax responsibility, and take advantage of governments with loose morals in distant lands. So just come out and say it. Or, if you do actually believe your bullshit, take your sorry unpatriotic ass to any embassy and renounce your citizenship. I say “unpatriotic” because the bullshit isn’t any longer just about “socialism” - it’s about how the very fabric of America has changed, and the majority of us are just moochers who are sucking away the life force of these brave, moneyed men, and our democracy and institutions aren’t good enough any more to be trusted (when it suits you of course). You are misanthropes, or sociopaths, or just plain jackasses. I respect your right to whine and moan as much as you want, but you have made it very clear that you don’t respect mine, and that you hold me and most of your fellow citizens in contempt. [Get out.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o97uNzbBfis) … The small business owners who I personally know _are_ innovating in changing markets, forging new paths, or at least, aren’t following a script and instruction kit. And wouldn’t you know it? They’re not leaving the country, or contracting their business, or talking trash about our democracy. That’s all I ask. You are more than welcome to compare Obama to Stalin. He’s a man. He can take it. Just knock it off with your shameless elitism against the rest of us. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7771 "2012-12-05T05:58:34Z")
Remember John Fleming, the GOP Congressman and Subway franchise owner who complained that, because of his exuberant tax bill,[he “only” had $400,000 left to feed his family every year?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW2VW-Z1M94) One of his Subway restaurants refused to serve a couple after the clerk asked if they were Muslim, and then [locked the man out of the restaurant - while his wife was locked inside.](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/john_fleming_muslim_subway.php) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7772 "2012-12-05T13:28:32Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to a new poll by PPP, [49% of Republicans believe ACORN is responsible for stealing the election for Obama.](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/12/republicans-not-handling-election-results-well.html) > > ACORN, of course, [no longer exists.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Community_Organizations_for_Reform_Now) It’s not a stupid idea restricted to only Republicans, but I love this item from further down on the first article cited: > [@](#): > > The 39% of Americans with an opinion about Bowles/Simpson is only slightly higher than the 25% with one about Panetta/Burns, a mythical Clinton Chief of Staff/former western Republican Senator combo we conceived of to test how many people would say they had an opinion even about something that doesn’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7773 "2012-12-05T16:06:30Z")
Oregon’s new Washington County GOP Chairman sent an ([New Washington County GOP chairman says Democrats are seeking 'utopian enslavement' - oregonlive.com](http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/12/new_washington_county_gop_chai.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)) so full of crazy, even other Republicans are distancing themselves. It’s a hilarious read though. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7774 "2012-12-05T16:13:26Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Remember John Fleming, the GOP Congressman and Subway franchise owner who complained that, because of his exuberant tax bill,[he “only” had $400,000 left to feed his family every year?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW2VW-Z1M94) > > One of his Subway restaurants refused to serve a couple after the clerk asked if they were Muslim, and then [locked the man out of the restaurant - while his wife was locked inside.](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/john_fleming_muslim_subway.php) Well, I have to withhold judgement on that one. I work in retail and have seen enough security footage to know that the customer’s version of events is not always what the tapes show. The manager and employee are pretty adamant that it had nothing to do with religion and they say the security footage backs them up. I have to go with “undetermined.” Doesn’t mean the congressman’s not a douche, though. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7775 "2012-12-05T16:14:49Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Oregon’s new Washington County GOP Chairman sent an ([New Washington County GOP chairman says Democrats are seeking 'utopian enslavement' - oregonlive.com](http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/12/new_washington_county_gop_chai.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)) so full of crazy, even other Republicans are distancing themselves. It’s a hilarious read though. That letter is truly amazing. This line made me stop: > [@](#): > > Never mind science has been wrong about similar theories such as acid rain, DDT, Spotted Owls or AIDs affecting heterosexuals they accept it without question. I’m obviously not on the right mailing lists. I’ve heard (although don’t buy) the idea that DDT banning was a bad idea that lead to unnecessary suffering. But who said that scientists were wrong about Acid Rain? Or about AIDS affecting heterosexuals? And was there some ruling from the gods of the right that Spotted Owls were not endangered? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7776 "2012-12-05T16:15:10Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Remember John Fleming, the GOP Congressman and Subway franchise owner who complained that, because of his exuberant tax bill,[he “only” had $400,000 left to feed his family every year?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW2VW-Z1M94) > > One of his Subway restaurants refused to serve a couple after the clerk asked if they were Muslim, and then [locked the man out of the restaurant - while his wife was locked inside.](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/john_fleming_muslim_subway.php) That one sounds a little fishy to me. I’m guessing they were actually told that the bathrooms were for customers only, and then there was some sort of misunderstanding. ETA: what **Skammer** said. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7777 "2012-12-05T16:31:20Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Oregon’s new Washington County GOP Chairman sent an ([New Washington County GOP chairman says Democrats are seeking 'utopian enslavement' - oregonlive.com](http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/12/new_washington_county_gop_chai.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)) so full of crazy, even other Republicans are distancing themselves. It’s a hilarious read though. Wow. The excerpted part is the least crazy part of the letter. What prompts a letter like this, anyway? Did someone email him asking his opinion about liberalism being a religion? Was he asked to write a “fire up the base” speech? Or do people on the right just do this, sometimes - “I haven’t written a frothing screed lately to pass around - I bet it’s my turn!”? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7778 "2012-12-05T17:14:18Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Wow. The excerpted part is the least crazy part of the letter. > > What prompts a letter like this, anyway? Did someone email him asking his opinion about liberalism being a religion? Was he asked to write a “fire up the base” speech? Or do people on the right just do this, sometimes - “I haven’t written a frothing screed lately to pass around - I bet it’s my turn!”? Ain’t the first time. You get letters like this from local places every once in a while, usually this crazy. Maybe it’s just that only the crazy ones get much publicity, maybe it’s that only the crazy ones think it’s worthwhile to talk about this kind of thing, maybe both. Either way, this is definitely one of the craziest I’ve ever seen. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7779 "2012-12-05T17:15:39Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Oregon’s new Washington County GOP Chairman sent an ([New Washington County GOP chairman says Democrats are seeking 'utopian enslavement' - oregonlive.com](http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/12/new_washington_county_gop_chai.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)) so full of crazy, even other Republicans are distancing themselves. It’s a hilarious read though. Aaaand, he’s [just resigned](http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/12/washington_county_gop_chairman.html). I guess the godless atheist communist democrats got to him. ETA, from his resignation letter: > [@](#): > > I literally make people’s dreams become reality and have had people tell me they began crying when their houses were turned into log cabins. Ya, I’d cry if you made my nice house into a shitty log cabin too. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/7780 "2012-12-05T17:25:01Z")
Good lord, neutralize that man right now ! The last thing I need is for someone to literally make my dreams become reality. It’s surprise tests, unrehearsed naked plays and teeth falling out as far as the mind’s eye can see in there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=388) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=390)