# 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:** 615
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12281 "2014-01-06T17:18:18Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Just when I think I can’t _loathe_ the sick bastards in the Republican Party more … > > [U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson plans to file suit Monday](http://dc.wispolitics.com/2014/01/johnson-plans-to-sue-over-congressional.html) challenging a move to allow congressional staffers to get a health care insurance subsidy. > > [Wisconsin state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R) is pushing to undo the state’s law](http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/01/05/3120741/grothman-weekends/) that employers have to provide their employees with at least one day off a week. This thread is for **stupid** Republican ideas. Those are more in the nature of **evil** Republican ideas. Not that there can’t be some Boolean intersection. ---
**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:** [January 6, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12282 "2014-01-06T17:29:52Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Does Rand Paul count as a Republican? Apparently, he is [suing the government to stop the NSA](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/01/rand-paul-is-suing-the-nsa.html). As one of a handful of rather powerful men in that same government, he seems incapable of functioning within the bounds of his elective office, so he has to try a ridiculous stunt like this. I think we might be witnessing his announcement as a candidate for the Presidency. Not really seeing how that’s a stupid idea, even if you’re in favor of the NSA’s data collection program. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12283 "2014-01-06T17:31:41Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Does Rand Paul count as a Republican? Apparently, he is [suing the government to stop the NSA](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/01/rand-paul-is-suing-the-nsa.html). As one of a handful of rather powerful men in that same government, he seems incapable of functioning within the bounds of his elective office, so he has to try a ridiculous stunt like this. I think we might be witnessing his announcement as a candidate for the Presidency. To his credit, this is not a ridiculous stunt. Members of Congress have sued the president or federal government many times about many issues. He’s not a member of the “same” government, since our government has different branches. He’s suing the president. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12284 "2014-01-06T17:34:58Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > [Wisconsin state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R) is pushing to undo the state’s law](http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/01/05/3120741/grothman-weekends/) that employers have to provide their employees with at least one day off a week. Interesting, because that law is so obviously a remnant of the old Sabbath laws (or “blue laws”) that banned most businesses from opening on Sundays. When challenged, many supporters of these laws claimed that it was simply to provide a day of rest for workers, with no religious motivation. This law appears to be something that replaced an old Sabbath law. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12285 "2014-01-06T19:36:44Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > [Wisconsin state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R) is pushing to undo the state’s law](http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/01/05/3120741/grothman-weekends/) that employers have to provide their employees with at least one day off a week. Why, don’t you worry, I’m sure our libertarian friends will be by to explain that this just gets rid of another barrier between a righteous entrepreneur and the free market. Why, if one independent man or woman wants to give another independent man or woman seven days of labor a week in exchange for wages, that’s just the free market in action, and the free market is sacred, and Must Not Be Interfere With Lest Nameless Horrors Attack. Hell, if a free man wants to bargain to work 18 hour days, seven days a week, that too is the free market in action! Really, if a free man wants to bargain to work seven days a week, 18 hours a day, for NOTHING, that TOO is just the free market in action. And if a free man wants to barter away his right to quit, that is also just the free market in action. It’s to celebrated, not to be condemned. Because NOBODY is EVER forced into bad economic deals against their will, ARE they? And if someone gets hoodwinked into a bad deal because of ignorance and/or stupidity, well hey, they’re idiots and nothing can be done for them, in our wonderful free market society. Sure, people bitch about it, but they’re softies, not worthy to be free Americans in the free market in this most glorious of all economic systems! There, saved them the trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12286 "2014-01-06T21:09:18Z")
This law would have pissed me and my employees off back in my retail days. When coverage allowed, it was great to schedule two weeks worth of days off back-to-back. I’d schedule them for the morning shift of their last workday and the evening of their return, pretty much letting them leave ‘early’ for a four-day weekend and come in ‘late’ on their ostensible Monday return. I’m sure that’s what Senetor Grothman had in mind, right? ---
**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:** [January 6, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12287 "2014-01-06T22:58:46Z")
[Rep. Gohmert: US owes Israel an apology](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/06/rep-gohmert-owe-israel-apology/) WARNING, this is a page view for FOX “News”. I haven’t even read the story. Anything with Rep. Gohmert involved is usually charming. Kind of like a new Chick tract - you just can’t look away. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12288 "2014-01-06T23:04:47Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > [Rep. Gohmert: US owes Israel an apology](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/06/rep-gohmert-owe-israel-apology/) > WARNING, this is a page view for FOX “News”. > I haven’t even read the story. Anything with Rep. Gohmert involved is usually charming. Kind of like a new Chick tract - you just can’t look away. OK, I’ll jump on the grenade . . . [clicks] He’s talking about the U.S. sanctions on Iran not being strict enough. [washes] ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12289 "2014-01-07T03:19:52Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Why, don’t you worry, I’m sure our libertarian friends will be by to explain that this just gets rid of another barrier between a righteous entrepreneur and the free market. Why, if one independent man or woman wants to give another independent man or woman seven days of labor a week in exchange for wages, that’s just the free market in action, and the free market is sacred, and Must Not Be Interfere With Lest Nameless Horrors Attack. Hell, if a free man wants to bargain to work 18 hour days, seven days a week, that too is the free market in action! Really, if a free man wants to bargain to work seven days a week, 18 hours a day, for NOTHING, that TOO is just the free market in action. And if a free man wants to barter away his right to quit, that is also just the free market in action. It’s to celebrated, not to be condemned. > > Because NOBODY is EVER forced into bad economic deals against their will, ARE they? And if someone gets hoodwinked into a bad deal because of ignorance and/or stupidity, well hey, they’re idiots and nothing can be done for them, in our wonderful free market society. Sure, people bitch about it, but they’re softies, not worthy to be free Americans in the free market in this most glorious of all economic systems! > > There, saved them the trouble. I bow to thee. > [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > This law would have pissed me and my employees off back in my retail days. When coverage allowed, it was great to schedule two weeks worth of days off back-to-back. I’d schedule them for the morning shift of their last workday and the evening of their return, pretty much letting them leave ‘early’ for a four-day weekend and come in ‘late’ on their ostensible Monday return. > > I’m sure that’s what Senetor Grothman had in mind, right? Pffffffff. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12290 "2014-01-07T23:50:37Z")
Cory Bernardi, a conservative Australian politician who is against gay marriage, released a book that claims that gay marriage would lead to polygamy and bestiality. It’s up on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/THE-CONSERVATIVE-REVOLUTION-Cory-Bernardi/dp/1922168963/ref=sr_1_1?tag=ohmy0c-20), and the reviews are in. 🙂 > [@](#): > > After catching me reading this, my dog divorced me. > [@](#): > > I was under the impression this was a children’s picture book on beastiality… Apparently I was extremely misled. 5 hooves down! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12291 "2014-01-08T04:21:31Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > Cory Bernardi, a conservative Australian politician who is against gay marriage, released a book that claims that gay marriage would lead to polygamy and bestiality. It’s up on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/THE-CONSERVATIVE-REVOLUTION-Cory-Bernardi/dp/1922168963/ref=sr_1_1?tag=ohmy0c-20), and the reviews are in. 🙂 > > > [@](#): > > > > After catching me reading this, my dog divorced me. Even betterworse, the same post continues: > [@](#): > > These are views that would be right at home in the Deep South of the USA or the Southern Baptists. They are not even Conservative views. The U.S. now (and for some time past, I suppose) hosts the international-standard comparison samples for evil asstardery. :o ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12292 "2014-01-08T04:34:44Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > Cory Bernardi, a conservative Australian politician who is against gay marriage, released a book that claims that gay marriage would lead to polygamy and bestiality. It’s up on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/THE-CONSERVATIVE-REVOLUTION-Cory-Bernardi/dp/1922168963/ref=sr_1_1?tag=ohmy0c-20), and the reviews are in. 🙂 This is the stupid republican idea thread. No need to pollute it with other stupidity, republicans are doing just fine providing a daily dose on their own. ---
**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 8, 2014, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12293 "2014-01-08T05:52:44Z")
How about [Mike Huckabee](http://aattp.org/mike-huckabee-removing-life-support-from-brain-dead-teen-will-lead-to-nazi-concentration-camps/), then, **boytyperanma**? It seems he thinks that taking [Jahi McMath](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-jahi-mcmath-time-limited-20140107,0,5429201.story) off life support will lead to Nazi-style concentration and death camps. > [@](#): > > “Every life has value and worth. There is no such person who is disposable. . . The road that starts that way in deciding that some lives have less value and are unworthy of protection, that leads to a culture that tolerates the undeserved killing of over 55 million unborn children in this country. It leads to China’s birth policy. . . It’s also that culture that allowed the Nazis to hideously justify the savage slaughter of millions of Jews.” ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12294 "2014-01-08T06:28:49Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > How about [Mike Huckabee](http://aattp.org/mike-huckabee-removing-life-support-from-brain-dead-teen-will-lead-to-nazi-concentration-camps/), then, **boytyperanma**? It seems he thinks that taking [Jahi McMath](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-jahi-mcmath-time-limited-20140107,0,5429201.story) off life support will lead to Nazi-style concentration and death camps. That’s the stuff. Can always count on Huckabee to fill an otherwise stupid free day. ---
**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 8, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12295 "2014-01-08T06:50:07Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > That’s the stuff. Can always count on Huckabee to fill an otherwise stupid free day. Have a bonus Inhofe, who once more is [saying a couple of cold days is proof there’s no such thing as global warming](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B7_t_oTzrcU). [Warning: YouTube video] ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12296 "2014-01-08T06:59:09Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Have a bonus Inhofe, who once more is [saying a couple of cold days is proof there’s no such thing as global warming](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B7_t_oTzrcU). [Warning: YouTube video] Nothing new from him. He has to keep saying crazy shit like that to remain the ranking Republican on the environmental issues. It’s just bonus crazy that he actually believes what he says. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12297 "2014-01-08T07:36:22Z")
Not surprised Huckleberry feels a special empathy for the brain dead. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12298 "2014-01-08T15:08:46Z")
[Stupid Tea Party Idea of the Day:](http://samuel-warde.com/2014/01/tea-party-patriots-planning-revolution/) Some kind of revolution that seems to involve “patriots” gathering in D.C. on May 16 and . . . hanging around until the government falls. 😕 > [@](#): > > Concept of Operations: > Phase 1 – Field millions, as many as ten million, patriots who will assemble in a non-violent, physically unarmed (Spiritually/Constitutionally armed), display of unswerving loyalty to the US Constitution and against the incumbent government, in Washington, D.C., with the mission to bring down the existing leadership. Go full-bore, no looking back, steadfast in the mission. > > Phase 2 - One million or more of the assembled 10 million must be prepared to stay in D.C. as long as it takes to see Obama, Biden, Reid, McConnell, Boehner, Pelosi, and Attorney General Holder removed from office. The senior republican in the US House of Representatives will become Speaker of the House and the US House of Representatives will elect a temporary President of the United States. The senior democrat leader in the US Senate will become the Majority Leader. The US Senate will elect a temporary Vice President of the United States. > > Phase 3 – Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov. Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, Issa, will comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees to the new U.S. Attorney General appointed by the new President. The U.S. Congress will execute appropriate legislation to convene new elections for positions vacated consistent with established constitutional requirements. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12299 "2014-01-08T15:15:13Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > The senior republican in the US House of Representatives will become Speaker of the House and the US House of Representatives will elect a temporary President of the United States. The senior democrat leader in the US Senate will become the Majority Leader. The US Senate will elect a temporary Vice President of the United States. > > Phase 3 – Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov. Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, Issa, will comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees… So these tea party types claim they want to restore adherence to the Constitution, huh? ---
**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:** [January 8, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12300 "2014-01-08T15:20:16Z")
Well, how better than an extraconstitutional provisional government? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=614) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=616)