# 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:** 826
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16501 "2014-09-08T19:27:09Z")
Thanks, Obama. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16502 "2014-09-08T19:30:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. > > I blame Obama. _Ego te absolvo_, dude. _Ego **non** _ [the idiot at Addicting Info who called it “treason” in the linked story] _absolvo_. :mad: He even called Tancredo’s remarks “seditious” later on in the article, so I _know_ he knows what sedition is. :smack: ETA: or at least that sedition is a thing. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16503 "2014-09-08T20:11:23Z")
I almost wish the Republicans _would_ launch an armed rebellion against Obama. It would mark the end of Republican legitimacy for all time and seal their legacy in the history books alongside the Confederates and the Bund. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16504 "2014-09-08T20:18:03Z")
Actually, more like Pinochet or Franco, because we’d win. The only way there’s ever a right-wing rebellion is if the left tries to use extraconstitutional means to guarantee a permanent majority. Before you go to send the army to put down a rebellion in that situation, you should probably be aware of the political leanings of the army. And the fact that their oath is not to the President. It’s to the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16505 "2014-09-08T20:33:21Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Before you go to send the army to put down a rebellion in that situation, you should probably be aware of the political leanings of the army. And the fact that their oath is not to the President. It’s to the Constitution. I wasn’t aware that the US Army had political leanings – if you do, please share, with cite. Or have you been watching _Seven Days in May_ too much recently? And it’s precisely because the armed services swear to uphold the constitution – and because the constitution is not in any danger of violation – that we don’t live in fear of military coups. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16506 "2014-09-08T20:33:36Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Actually, more like Pinochet or Franco, because we’d win. The only way there’s ever a right-wing rebellion is if the left tries to use extraconstitutional means to guarantee a permanent majority. Before you go to send the army to put down a rebellion in that situation, you should probably be aware of the political leanings of the army. And the fact that their oath is not to the President. **It’s to the Constitution.** I’m pretty sure the Constitution does not allow an armed overthrow of the government. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16507 "2014-09-08T20:34:13Z")
Not right now, no. As long as our government stays at least within a stone’s throw of compliance with the Constitution, there will be no armed rebellions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16508 "2014-09-08T20:37:18Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Actually, more like Pinochet or Franco, because we’d win. And both of those situation sure worked out well, didn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16509 "2014-09-08T20:40:58Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Not right now, no. As long as our government stays at least within a stone’s throw of compliance with the Constitution, there will be no armed rebellions. When, and/or where (ya know, it the document itself), does the Constitution allow an armed overthrow of the government? CMC fnord! ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16510 "2014-09-08T20:42:24Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Actually, more like Pinochet or Franco So you’re saying history will recall the Republicans as a gang of ultranationalist thugs who overthrew a lawfully elected government through violence, maintained their rule through terror, and executed thousands of innocent people for speaking against the government or insisting on their basic human rights? …I’m OK with that. Godspeed! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16511 "2014-09-08T20:42:44Z")
Quite a bit in there about \*quelling \*rebellions, though. **adaher** , are you fucking crazy? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16512 "2014-09-08T20:51:01Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > When, and/or where (ya know, it the document itself), does the Constitution allow an armed overthrow of the government? > > CMC fnord! That’s in the Declaration. By it’s nature, an armed rebellion isn’t lawful. But it is the only option when rule of law no longer exists. Again, we are nowhere near that point, which is why there is no armed rebellion. And to address Smapti, a lawfully elected government does not have license to violate the law. THe purpose of the 2nd amendment, or one of it’s purposes, is to provide a remedy if the government goes rogue. Even if it goes rogue with the support of 51% of the people, it’s still going rogue. Nearly all the founders made reference to the need for governments to be overthrown when they no longer have the legitimacy to govern. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16513 "2014-09-08T20:57:16Z")
Let’s say that the President, tired of obstruction, says he will rule by decree for the remainder of his term. What is the proper response to such an act? ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16514 "2014-09-08T20:58:43Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Let’s say that the President, tired of obstruction, says he will rule by decree for the remainder of his term. > > What is the proper response to such an act? Impeachment. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16515 "2014-09-08T20:59:44Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > THe purpose of the 2nd amendment, or one of it’s purposes, is to provide a remedy if the government goes rogue. Ask your buddies in Ferguson how that worked out. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16516 "2014-09-08T21:01:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Actually, more like Pinochet or Franco, because we’d win. Look at [this](http://www.people-press.org/2014/06/26/the-political-typology-beyond-red-vs-blue/) and explain how you’d win. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16517 "2014-09-08T21:02:07Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Let’s say that the President, tired of obstruction, says he will rule by decree for the remainder of his term. > > What is the proper response to such an act? I don’t know, but I would assume the Republicans would stand up for a round of relieved applause - finally they’d have somebody of Putin’s calibre in charge, like they’ve been clamouring for ! ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16518 "2014-09-08T21:05:03Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Impeachment. The President refuses to leave office. I doubt once the choice to rule by decree was made, the President would just let Congress remove him from office. My point is that I’m not engaging in crazy talk here. I’ve made it clear Tancredo is a nut, and that no one is actually contemplating armed rebellion. I just object to the denigration of “Second amendment solutions” since that’s part of the purpose of the 2nd amendment. I don’t remember who it was that said, government should fear the people, the people should not fear the government. The government should damn well be aware of an armed populace. I don’t mind at all if it makes the government a little paranoid. If they think an armed rebellion might occur over a maybe not so legal executive order, then they won’t dare try a blatantly illegal executive order. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16519 "2014-09-08T21:09:47Z")
Thank you, **adaher**! How often does the Stupid Republican Idea of the Day come from one of our own? ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16520 "2014-09-08T21:09:55Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The President refuses to leave office. I doubt once the choice to rule by decree was made, the President would just let Congress remove him from office. Who do you imagine is at this point listening to the impeached and convicted _ex_-president who no longer has any legal authority over any branch of the government? > [@](#): > > My point is that I’m not engaging in crazy talk here. I’ve made it clear Tancredo is a nut, and that no one is actually contemplating armed rebellion. I just object to the denigration of “Second amendment solutions” since that’s part of the purpose of the 2nd amendment. Cite for _any_ judicial interpretation of the 2nd Amendment being meant to provide for an armed insurrection against the government? > [@](#): > > I don’t remember who it was that said, government should fear the people, the people should not fear the government. The government should damn well be aware of an armed populace. I don’t mind at all if it makes the government a little paranoid. If they think an armed rebellion might occur over a maybe not so legal executive order, then they won’t dare try a blatantly illegal executive order. I repeat; ask your friends in Ferguson how that worked out for them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=825) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=827)