# The Tea Party is not socially conservative my ass **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 11, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760 "2010-10-11T06:09:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/401 "2010-10-16T21:11:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Have you stopped to consider that the cuts you want to implement are stupid? How have you managed that? I haven’t even gotten around to listing them yet! > [@](#): > > And that with those cuts the GDP would crash because of social disorder? How is it doing now? > [@](#): > > And that thick-headed lazy morons like you aren’t exactly gonna excel when reduced to the social-darwinism you crave? Thick-headed lazy people will always do poorly. I’m tired of paying the bill for it, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/402 "2010-10-16T21:15:14Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > I am a pilot, aviation mechanic, truck driver, > > \ > > How many hours a day do you sleep? > (I don’t sleep every day) > > How many times a day do you get to eat, and how long do you take? > (I eat once a day, sometimes twice, and I cram it in while I’m doing other things) I can see now why you’d want to get rid of regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/403 "2010-10-16T21:19:55Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > Let’s say defense and entitlements are decimated, leaving a Federal government that costs as much to run as, say, the 1950 equivalent (~$44.8 billion), adjusted for inflation (to ~$395 billion). The actual 2010 total is about $3,720 billion, or 9.5 times the 1950 amount. > > > > Of course, you’ll have to give back all those highways… > > Oh, god dammit, that’s funny! I almost choked on the cheesburger than I’m shoveling down. Have you ever heard of IFTA? Look it up, and then you’ll understand what I mean when I say… > > If the government wants to give me a break on my IFTA tax, I’ll pay the goddam 39% income tax and smile about it! I could use a few million bucks! Doesn’t that tax go to the states? Before the federal/Canadian agreement you’d have to fill out paperwork for each state you operated in, right? So you want to return to a time of more paperwork and more red tape, permits for and inspections at the entry to each state? Interesting. Do I have that mixed up? I’d honestly like to know if I do. Also, and I’m letting you in on a secret here, if you aren’t making enough because of a tax you need to charge more. That chunk of business advice was free, because I like helping idiots. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/404 "2010-10-16T21:33:12Z")
> [@](#): > > Doesn’t that (IFTA) tax go to the states? Before the federal/Canadian agreement you’d have to fill out paperwork for each state you operated in, right? So you want to return to a time of more paperwork and more red tape, permits for and inspections at the entry to each state? Interesting. Do I have that mixed up? I’d honestly like to know if I do. You have the details right, but you missed the forest for the trees. I was responding to the ridiculous idea that there would be no funds for the highways without a bloated income tax. Imagine 100,000 miles per year, $0.12 per mile, per truck, per year. That’s $12,000 per year, per truck. There are an estimated $15.5 million trucks on the road. That’s $186,000,000,000 per year in IFTA taxes alone, not to mention the tolls and non-commercial fuel taxes. If they can’t fix the roads for what they’re charging in taxes, maybe the money is being siphoned off somewhere else? More government definitely won’t make that situation better! > [@](#): > > Also, and I’m letting you in on a secret here, if you aren’t making enough because of a tax you need to charge more. That chunk of business advice was free, because I like helping idiots. 😃 Thank you kindly. When I pass your helpful information on to my customers, I’m sure that they will understand and agree with you, and be more than happy to fork over the money to pay the tax. Going with a different carrier will never cross their minds. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/405 "2010-10-16T21:40:20Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Doesn’t that (IFTA) tax go to the states? Before the federal/Canadian agreement you’d have to fill out paperwork for each state you operated in, right? So you want to return to a time of more paperwork and more red tape, permits for and inspections at the entry to each state? Interesting. Do I have that mixed up? I’d honestly like to know if I do. > > You have the details right, but you missed the forest for the trees. I was responding to the ridiculous idea that there would be no funds for the highways without a bloated income tax. Imagine 100,000 miles per year, $0.12 per mile, per truck, per year. That’s $12,000 per year, per truck. There are an estimated $15.5 million trucks on the road. That’s $186,000,000,000 per year in IFTA taxes alone, not to mention the tolls and non-commercial fuel taxes. If they can’t fix the roads for what they’re charging in taxes, maybe the money is being siphoned off somewhere else? More government definitely won’t make that situation better! Ah, that makes sense. I appreciate the context. Although I would suppose that fixing the roads is pretty expensive. But I have no specific information about the amounts. > [@](#): > > Thank you kindly. When I pass your helpful information on to my customers, I’m sure that they will understand and agree with you, and be more than happy to fork over the money to pay the tax. Going with a different carrier will never cross their minds. If your competitors can afford to do it don’t they deserve to run you out of business? Rarw! Survival of the fittest y’all! ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/406 "2010-10-16T21:48:01Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > > [@Morella](#): > > > > I am a pilot, aviation mechanic, truck driver, > > > > \ > > > > How many hours a day do you sleep? > > (I don’t sleep every day) > > > > How many times a day do you get to eat, and how long do you take? > > (I eat once a day, sometimes twice, and I cram it in while I’m doing other things) > > I can see now why you’d want to get rid of regulations. You think you do, but you don’t really. The regulations have done nothing to keep pilots and drivers from falling asleep, and they may have actually made the situation worse. ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/407 "2010-10-16T21:50:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Thank you kindly. When I pass your helpful information on to my customers, I’m sure that they will understand and agree with you, and be more than happy to fork over the money to pay the tax. Going with a different carrier will never cross their minds. If your competitors can afford to do it don’t they deserve to run you out of business? Rarw! Survival of the fittest y’all! Absolutely, although I fail to see how that has nothing to do with taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/408 "2010-10-16T22:16:33Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > I was responding to the ridiculous idea that there would be no funds for the highways without a bloated income tax. Well, that wasn’t the point I was trying to make, but I’m glad you got a chuckle out of it. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/409 "2010-10-16T23:13:08Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@emacknight](#): > > > > I can see now why you’d want to get rid of regulations. > > You think you do, but you don’t really. The regulations have done nothing to keep pilots and drivers from falling asleep, and they may have actually made the situation worse. No, I really do. I was just saying the other day that what we need are more pilots not sleeping or eating, that have unfettered access to unregulated narcotics, and nothing to discourage their use. I can’t imagine anything going wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/410 "2010-10-16T23:24:09Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > > [@Morella](#): > > > > You think you do, but you don’t really. The regulations have done nothing to keep pilots and drivers from falling asleep, and they may have actually made the situation worse. > > No, I really do. I was just saying the other day that what we need are more pilots not sleeping or eating, that have unfettered access to unregulated narcotics, and nothing to discourage their use. I can’t imagine anything going wrong. I don’t have to imagine. Whereas you are just parroting back the same bullshit that the media has fed you, I’ve been there. This carrier, for instance [http://www.baaa-acro.com/Compagnies%20S/SMB%20Stage%20Line.htm](http://www.baaa-acro.com/Compagnies%20S/SMB%20Stage%20Line.htm) had one of the worst collections of alcohols and druggies to terrorize the skies, yet their safety record was outstanding. Out of the five incidents mentioned (I am familiar with the details of all five), not one had anything to do with alcohol or drugs. In fact… Not ONE aviation accident, in any airline, has ever been proven to have been caused by illegal drug use. So, I have to ask…what is the justification for spending billions of dollars on drug testing? Hey, you brought it up, man… ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/411 "2010-10-16T23:34:05Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > Not ONE aviation accident, in any airline, has ever been proven to have been caused by illegal drug use. > > So, I have to ask…what is the justification for spending billions of dollars on drug testing? > > Hey, you brought it up, man… Not one person has escaped from Pelican Bay. So why spend millions on guards? :rolleyes: Jesus fuck, is every single libertarian a fucking idiot? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/412 "2010-10-16T23:40:14Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > So, I have to ask…what is the justification for spending billions of dollars on drug testing? Well, it’s a damned sight less than the hundreds of billions future tea partiers insisted we spend on protecting Americans from Saddam’s nonexistant WMD’s. It’s still _peanuts_ compared to the bloated defense budget. If tea partiers want to be taken seriously on their 'fiscal conservatism" they need to point at something more substantial than pilot drug testing and “torte[sup]\*[/sup] reform.” Braying about picayune shit just feeds ignorance by cluttering up the national dialog. Is that a tea party value? At this point, it seems likely that it is. * * * [sup]\*[/sup] [Linzer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linzer_torte) or [Sachertorte](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacher_torte)? ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/413 "2010-10-16T23:44:03Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@emacknight](#): > > > > No, I really do. I was just saying the other day that what we need are more pilots not sleeping or eating, that have unfettered access to unregulated narcotics, and nothing to discourage their use. I can’t imagine anything going wrong. > > I don’t have to imagine. Whereas you are just parroting back the same bullshit that the media has fed you, I’ve been there. This carrier, for instance > > [http://www.baaa-acro.com/Compagnies%20S/SMB%20Stage%20Line.htm](http://www.baaa-acro.com/Compagnies%20S/SMB%20Stage%20Line.htm) > > had one of the worst collections of alcohols and druggies to terrorize the skies, yet their safety record was outstanding. Out of the five incidents mentioned (I am familiar with the details of all five), not one had anything to do with alcohol or drugs. In fact… > > Not ONE aviation accident, in any airline, has ever been proven to have been caused by illegal drug use. > > So, I have to ask…what is the justification for spending billions of dollars on drug testing? > > Hey, you brought it up, man… Hey, I’m right there with you. I know personally I’d perform surgery considerably better high as a kite, but the fucking government won’t let me. Meanwhile, not one patient has died because their doctor was coked out of his mind, not one! But the big threat they have against me is that they’ll pull my license. Why the fuck do I need a license to practice medicine. If I’m good at it, patients will pay me, if I kill people, they won’t. And these fucking DUI laws are the biggest pain in the ass. Do I really need to wait an hour to sober up before I drive to work? It’s stop and go traffic anyways, are you seriously telling me I can’t do that drunk? ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/414 "2010-10-16T23:48:13Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > > [@Morella](#): > > > > Not ONE aviation accident, in any airline, has ever been proven to have been caused by illegal drug use. > > > > So, I have to ask…what is the justification for spending billions of dollars on drug testing? > > > > Hey, you brought it up, man… > > Not one person has escaped from Pelican Bay. So why spend millions on guards? :rolleyes: Your logic is flawed. We never had a Pelican Bay without guards. We had a very nice transportation system without drug testing… …until Robert DuPont invented the first urine test, and the Reagans owned Dupont stock, and then guess what… Suddenly, the nation has a drug problem, and it’s more important than any other issue! Drug test everyone, even the janitors, before something happens and your children are killed! Oh, my God! Up springs a multibillion dollar urine testing business, which, like taxes, leeches from the economy and produces nothing. This is what I’m talking about when I say that to put your faith neither in government nor in big business. They are in cahoots with each other, trying to get you to take “sides” instead of thinking about what is actually going on. ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/415 "2010-10-16T23:55:42Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > Hey, I’m right there with you. I know personally I’d perform surgery considerably better high as a kite, but the fucking government won’t let me. Meanwhile, not one patient has died because their doctor was coked out of his mind, not one! But the big threat they have against me is that they’ll pull my license. Why the fuck do I need a license to practice medicine. If I’m good at it, patients will pay me, if I kill people, they won’t. Putting down the crack pipe might be a good idea. I am talking about drug testing, which has nothing to do with what condition a person is in while working. > [@](#): > > And these fucking DUI laws are the biggest pain in the ass. Do I really need to wait an hour to sober up before I drive to work? It’s stop and go traffic anyways, are you seriously telling me I can’t do that drunk? What does drug testing in the airline industry have to do with driving your car to work? Or are we doing another strawman argument? ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/416 "2010-10-17T00:02:14Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, it’s a damned sight less than the hundreds of billions future tea partiers insisted we spend on protecting Americans from Saddam’s nonexistant WMD’s. Oh, really? > **[Republicans | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/elections/republicans)** > > Republicans [http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm](http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm) > [@](#): > > It’s still _peanuts_ compared to the bloated defense budget. If tea partiers want to be taken seriously on their 'fiscal conservatism" they need to point at something more substantial than pilot drug testing and “torte[sup]\*[/sup] reform.” There is a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be cut. My guess is that the Tea Party’s list is short, compared to mine. > [@](#): > > Braying about picayune shit just feeds ignorance by cluttering up the national dialog. Is that a tea party value? _Acune idée._ I don’t think they have agreed on a list of values. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/417 "2010-10-17T00:38:09Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@emacknight](#): > > > > Hey, I’m right there with you. I know personally I’d perform surgery considerably better high as a kite, but the fucking government won’t let me. Meanwhile, not one patient has died because their doctor was coked out of his mind, not one! But the big threat they have against me is that they’ll pull my license. Why the fuck do I need a license to practice medicine. If I’m good at it, patients will pay me, if I kill people, they won’t. > > Putting down the crack pipe might be a good idea. I am talking about drug testing, which has nothing to do with what condition a person is in while working. > > > [@](#): > > > > And these fucking DUI laws are the biggest pain in the ass. Do I really need to wait an hour to sober up before I drive to work? It’s stop and go traffic anyways, are you seriously telling me I can’t do that drunk? > > What does drug testing in the airline industry have to do with driving your car to work? Or are we doing another strawman argument? Now I’m confused. Are you saying I shouldn’t operate stoned out of my mind? If pilots can do their job all hopped up on goof balls, why can’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/418 "2010-10-17T00:46:54Z")
> [@Morella](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Well, it’s a damned sight less than the hundreds of billions future tea partiers insisted we spend on protecting Americans from Saddam’s nonexistant WMD’s. > > Oh, really? > > [Republicans News, Articles & Updates | Fox News | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200499,00.html) > [http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm](http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm) > > There is a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be cut. My guess is that the Tea Party’s list is short, compared to mine. > > > [@](#): > > > > Braying about picayune shit just feeds ignorance by cluttering up the national dialog. Is that a tea party value? > > _Acune idée._ I don’t think they have agreed on a list of values. Wow. You’re more of an idiot than I thought. You actually believe that Saddam had WMD? Okay then. I guess there’s not point talking to you. I’m sorry to bring facts to your ignorance jamboree. Tell me about Obama’s birth certificate, why don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/419 "2010-10-17T00:51:30Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > Now I’m confused. Are you saying I shouldn’t operate stoned out of my mind? Nope. I don’t know much about the practical end of the medical business, and you’re comparing apples to oranges anyway, so I’m not going to respond to that stupid comment. > [@](#): > > If pilots can do their job all hopped up on goof balls, why can’t I? Geez, and to think, someone accused ME of making strawman arguments? I didn’t say that anyone should do their job while under the influence. ---
**Author:** ![Morella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Morella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morella)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760/420 "2010-10-17T00:53:28Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > > [@Morella](#): > > > > Oh, really? > > > > [Republicans News, Articles & Updates | Fox News | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200499,00.html) > > [http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm](http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm) > > > > There is a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be cut. My guess is that the Tea Party’s list is short, compared to mine. > > > > _Acune idée._ I don’t think they have agreed on a list of values. > > Wow. You’re more of an idiot than I thought. You actually believe that Saddam had WMD? Okay then. I guess there’s not point talking to you. I’m sorry to bring facts to your ignorance jamboree. > > Tell me about Obama’s birth certificate, why don’t you? Does this mean that you have a comment about the two links that I posted, or that you have other information to share? Or do you just feel better for having called me an idiot? What would you like to know about Obama’s birth certificate? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-is-not-socially-conservative-my-ass/556760.md?page=22)