# 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:** 568
**Author:** ![Wash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@Wash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wash)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11341 "2013-10-23T00:01:40Z")
To offer a rare counter to the stupid Republican ideas, [Texas judge leaves Republican Party over anti-gay pettiness and bigotry](http://huff.to/HdgpMS). > [@](#): > > “I will not be a member of a party in which hate speech elevates candidates for higher office rather than disqualifying them,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11342 "2013-10-23T00:45:55Z")
> [@Wash](#): > > To offer a rare counter to the stupid Republican ideas, [Texas judge leaves Republican Party over anti-gay pettiness and bigotry](http://huff.to/HdgpMS). Well, I guess the stupid Republican idea is that they drove out a principled, thinking, caring member of their party. > [@](#): > > “Make no mistake: I have not left the Republican Party. It left me,” ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11343 "2013-10-23T01:25:21Z")
Gun rights advocate Renee Ellmers (R-NC) had an AR-15 stolen right out of her gun locker. What? Oh, sorry, folks. From right [next](http://gawker.com/unsecured-ar-15-stolen-from-pro-gun-congresswomans-hom-1450289582) to her gun locker. Same thing, right? ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11344 "2013-10-23T01:30:39Z")
They may not know how to run a government, but [they sure know how to throw a media circus](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/329853-report-gop-asked-tech-legend-murder-suspect-john-mcafee-to-testify-on-obamacare-website): > [@](#): > > The House Committee on Energy and Commerce wanted to speak with John McAfee, the technology pioneer who last year fled a murder investigation in Belize, as part of their investigation into the flawed ObamaCare website, according to emails obtained by CNBC… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11345 "2013-10-23T15:57:28Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Thanks! I did a quick google search but didn’t come up with the story. So basically, this is just O’Reilly opening his War-On-Christmas season. :rolleyes: Jump into the trenches, Bill, you’ve got more than two months to go. No, no. The rule is, the War on Christmas doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving. We might be godless atheist pansexual commie anarchists, but we don’t flout tradition! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![sylmar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@sylmar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sylmar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11346 "2013-10-23T16:39:33Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, no. The rule is, the War on Christmas doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving. We might be godless atheist pansexual commie anarchists, but we don’t flout tradition! :eek: Daunting to contemplate a war on Christmas when they’re armed with fruitcake(s)… or would that be armed fruitcakes? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11347 "2013-10-23T16:50:39Z")
[The House GOP invited software magnate John McAfee to consult](http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/ex-fugitive-who-slept-with-17-year-olds-was-house-gops-choice-to-advise-on-obamacare-website/politics/2013/10/23/77306#.Umf9qybD_5p) over how to “investigate” the problems with the [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov) site. Yes, the druggie who’s on the lam in Belize for murdering his neighbor, and who bragged about sleeping with ten 17-year old girls. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11348 "2013-10-23T16:53:35Z")
> [@sylmar](#): > > Daunting to contemplate a war on Christmas when they’re armed with fruitcake(s)… or would that be armed fruitcakes? :dubious: Better fruitcakes than [Lesbian Communist Girl Scout Cookies](https://socialreader.com/me/content/GjTXl?chid=80029)! > [@](#): > > Kevin Swanson, a pastor and host of the Christian radio show “Generations,” went on a diatribe Monday blasting the Girl Scouts of the United States of America as an instrument of feminism and “antithetical to a biblical vision for womanhood.” He added that buying Girl Scout cookies is tantamount to supporting Planned Parenthood, abortion and lesbianism: > > > [@](#): > > > > The individualism of feminism has been devastating to this country. I’d say you ought to say no the Girl Scout cookies too. I don’t want to support lesbianism, I don’t want to support Planned Parenthood and I don’t want to support abortion, and if that be the case I’m not buying Girl Scout Cookies… > > > > I think we understand why Barack Obama is president of the United States. He is incredibly popular with single women, incredibly popular. In fact, if you want a Communist in the White House in the year 2020, you have got to get more daughters raised with the worldview, the independent mindset, the worldview that is presented by the Girl Scouts of America… ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11349 "2013-10-23T16:58:44Z")
Whenever I read stuff like that, I can only think “This is why the girl scouts have the boy scouts beat, no contest.” Those nasty girl scouts, trying to instill girls an independent mindset… ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11350 "2013-10-23T17:03:41Z")
Republican Maine governor Paul LePage [goes full Romney at conservative meeting](“About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don’t work,” LePage said at a conservative meeting, according to a recording posted by the Bangor Daily News. “About 47 percent. It’s really bad.”): > [@](#): > > “About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don’t work,” LePage said at a conservative meeting, according to a recording posted by the Bangor Daily News. “About 47 percent. It’s really bad.” Asked for clarification, his spokesman [doubled down](http://nation.time.com/2013/10/23/maine-governor-says-less-than-half-his-state-works/)with the makers and takers talking point: > [@](#): > > "Liberal activists are determined to increase the number of residents who take tax dollars by expanding the size of government and the benefits government workers get and increasing the welfare rolls.” ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11351 "2013-10-23T17:34:54Z")
To be fair, if you’re going for sheer badassery, it’s hard to find a web expert better than McAfee. Just a shame he’s completely off his rocker. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11352 "2013-10-23T17:41:36Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > To be fair, if you’re going for sheer badassery, it’s hard to find a web expert better than McAfee. Just a shame he’s completely off his rocker. Basically, he’s a techie version of Uncle Duke from _Doonesbury_ – entertaining, but probably not the best person to put in front of the cameras when you’re trying to score political points. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11353 "2013-10-23T18:15:14Z")
[Libertarian/Republican/Tea Party whacko bird](http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/rand-paul-constitutional-amendment-98625.html) Rand Paul is so fed up with Obamacare that he wants to make sure that Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court are forced to go on the health care exchanges. He has authored a constitutional amendment which basically requires Congress to live by the same laws as average Americans. What? Laws should apply equally to Congress and the American people? Why, **Ravenman** , that’s not a stupid idea! No, the stupidity is that Senator Paul thinks his amendment would force Congress, the White House, and the Court to join health care exchanges. However, his proposal, according to [an actual legal expert](http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/conlaw/2013/10/rand-paul-proposes-amendment-to-apply-laws-to-congress-too.html), would have the exact OPPOSITE effect, of providing a constitutional basis to PREVENT laws that would require those people to go on the exchanges. In other words, Senator Paul’s proposal would make sure that a Vitter Amendment to force Congress onto “Obamacare” would be struck down by Federal courts. In the words of Rick Perry, “Oops.” ---
**Author:** ![sylmar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@sylmar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sylmar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11354 "2013-10-23T18:18:31Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Republican Maine governor Paul LePage [goes full Romney at conservative meeting](“About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don’t work,” LePage said at a conservative meeting, according to a recording posted by the Bangor Daily News. “About 47 percent. It’s really bad.”):Asked for clarification, his spokesman [doubled down](http://nation.time.com/2013/10/23/maine-governor-says-less-than-half-his-state-works/)with the makers and takers talking point: Wow, they’re actually capable of long division…Next maybe they can work on logic. Total population in Maine? 1,329,192 Total number of people working? [602,600](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/maine/) [Demographics](http://www.maine-demographics.com/)? Under 18 - 20.7% Over 65 - 15.9% =36.6% of the population. Had trouble running numbers for disabled and infirm, but unless they’re proponents in doing away with child labor laws pretty obvious LaDunce and co. are poorly attempting to put together a strawman… Picture the result as having been sub-contracted out to the flying monkeys. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11355 "2013-10-23T18:25:43Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Republican Maine governor Paul LePage [goes full Romney at conservative meeting](“About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don’t work,” LePage said at a conservative meeting, according to a recording posted by the Bangor Daily News. “About 47 percent. It’s really bad.”):Asked for clarification, his spokesman [doubled down](http://nation.time.com/2013/10/23/maine-governor-says-less-than-half-his-state-works/)with the makers and takers talking point: Well, as soon as they open StephenKingLand, the state should be rolling in riches. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11356 "2013-10-23T18:39:53Z")
> [@sylmar](#): > > Wow, they’re actually capable of long division…Next maybe they can work on logic. > > Total population in Maine? 1,329,192 > > Total number of people working? [602,600](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/maine/) > > [Demographics](http://www.maine-demographics.com/)? Under 18 - 20.7% Over 65 - 15.9% =36.6% of the population. > > Had trouble running numbers for disabled and infirm, but unless they’re proponents in doing away with child labor laws pretty obvious LaDunce and co. are poorly attempting to put together a strawman… Picture the result as having been sub-contracted out to the flying monkeys. Do you think he ACTUALLY believes that if you are below the cutoff, and do not pay federal income tax, that means that you are automatically unemployed and just sit around all day? ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11357 "2013-10-23T18:43:17Z")
> [@sylmar](#): > > Wow, they’re actually capable of long division…Next maybe they can work on logic. > > Total population in Maine? 1,329,192 > > Total number of people working? [602,600](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/maine/) > > [Demographics](http://www.maine-demographics.com/)? Under 18 - 20.7% Over 65 - 15.9% =36.6% of the population. > > Had trouble running numbers for disabled and infirm, but unless they’re proponents in doing away with child labor laws pretty obvious LaDunce and co. are poorly attempting to put together a strawman… Picture the result as having been sub-contracted out to the flying monkeys. I wonder how many of the rest are stay-at-home moms? Something the “family values” crowd would supposedly like to increase. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11358 "2013-10-23T18:43:55Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Do you think he ACTUALLY believes that if you are below the cutoff, and do not pay federal income tax, that means that you are automatically unemployed and just sit around all day? Unsure. But he did say what ever you are doing, it is BAD! ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11359 "2013-10-23T19:24:11Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Republican Maine governor Paul LePage [goes full Romney at conservative meeting](“About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don’t work,” LePage said at a conservative meeting, according to a recording posted by the Bangor Daily News. “About 47 percent. It’s really bad.”):Asked for clarification, his spokesman [doubled down](http://nation.time.com/2013/10/23/maine-governor-says-less-than-half-his-state-works/)with the makers and takers talking point: > [@sylmar](#): > > Wow, they’re actually capable of long division…Next maybe they can work on logic. > > Total population in Maine? 1,329,192 > > Total number of people working? [602,600](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/maine/) > > [Demographics](http://www.maine-demographics.com/)? Under 18 - 20.7% Over 65 - 15.9% =36.6% of the population. > > Had trouble running numbers for disabled and infirm, but unless they’re proponents in doing away with child labor laws pretty obvious LaDunce and co. are poorly attempting to put together a strawman… Picture the result as having been sub-contracted out to the flying monkeys. Note that the spokesman’s clarification strongly implied that government workers are really on the dole: > [@](#): > > "Liberal activists are determined to increase the number of residents who take tax dollars by expanding the size of government and the benefits government workers get and increasing the welfare rolls.” ---
**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:** [October 23, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/11360 "2013-10-23T19:45:26Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Basically, he’s a techie version of Uncle Duke from _Doonesbury_ – entertaining, but probably not the best person to put in front of the cameras when you’re trying to score political points. But why him? Is it just that they’re so out of touch that he’s the name they know and trust? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=567) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=569)