# This fucking board is pushing me towards voting Republican **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 5, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554 "2011-03-05T02:23:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/161 "2011-03-07T16:25:42Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I work in a low paid job in the UK, so my experience is perhaps somewhat different to yours, but I’ve never noticed any hatred or sadism from richer people. Part of it may be the differences in the economic landscape between the US and the UK. I’m going to come right out and note that the paper I’m citing is ass in terms of not defining key terms and data sources, but it adequately matches the perceptions of people as far as I can tell. The undefined term is “top companies”–but the idea was that in Britain, the CEO of a “top company” made on average 22 times as much as the average worker. In the US, that ratio (using the Fortune 350, as nearly as I can tell) is alleged to be closer to 475 to 1. Is it that out of kilter? I don’t know, the cite is ass. However, you can get the idea that if the average American perceives CEO compensation to be that far and away from the average worker’s wage, how the average American might feel a bit more hostility towards the rich (and perceive more hostility from them, in the form of “who needs to hoard all that money, isn’t it enough to be wealthy without being obscenely wealthy?”) than the average UK worker. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/162 "2011-03-07T16:26:04Z")
OK, I missed most of this thread over the weekend. But I’m trying to remember any previous post by the OP that indicated he _didn’t_ vote Republican. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/163 "2011-03-07T16:40:16Z")
The UK has a [Gini coefficient of 34, and the US 45](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2172rank.html), which indicates that the US has significantly greater income inequality. Among developed states, only Hong Kong (not really a state) and Singapore rank higher than the US. ---
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/164 "2011-03-07T17:37:59Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why do you suppose there is a rule requiring a quorum in the first place? If it is so damn subversive, why give the minority that power at all? Why not just pass laws with whoever shows up? > > The answer, of course, is it is pretty much the same as why both parties want to keep the filibuster. Democrats and Republicans both want the option to deny a quorum as a last resort when untenable legislation is on the verge of passing. When either party is in power, they could get rid of the quorum rule just as easily as the filibuster rule, but they don’t. It is for purely political reasons; they know that some day, they will be in the minority, and they want a last resort. Both parties want it, because both parties use it. > > But, by all means, join the party that wants to keep the quorum rule. I think denial of a quorum is (fine points of constitutional whatever or democratic intent aside) at least far more _public_ than the use of a filibuster. You can’t exactly deny a quorum and have it go unnoticed what you are doing. It will be seen; it’s arguably meant to be seen. Filibusters (old style) barely qualified as the same (though only Washington groupies would mostly learn of it); filibusters (new style) are no more than a procedural poke in the nose to raise the bar for passing legislation to 60 from 50. They can and are routinely used without the public even learning or caring to learn what is going on. Quorum denial’s not like that. If the Wisconsin legislators were standing on poor principle or none at all, or even truly going against the wishes of the majority of their constituents (regardless that they are technically in the minority themselves), they would not survive the attempt (electorally speaking). That they are not only surviving but even thriving in this (if polls are anything to go by) suggests that the principle they are standing on is a good one. They are making their case, that this bill is too atrocious to let stand without using every legal alternative first, and they are doing it well. I’m just glad it’s “my” side that called it right on this one, and not the other side calling it right on something I myself abhor and would have hoped the majority did too. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/165 "2011-03-07T20:37:03Z")
> [@bugme](#): > > Republicans are more intelligenter than Democrats. Bahd-da-BOOM! He’s here all week folks. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/166 "2011-03-07T20:38:06Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Bahd-da-BOOM! He’s here all week folks. No he isn’t. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/167 "2011-03-07T22:49:33Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > I think the thread on the justness and propriety of dodging a quorum as a valid exercise of political power just tipped the scale for me. You fucking idiots would be FOAMING at the mouth if this was being done by Republicans. Screaming about how they were usurping the will of the people. You know who can’t handle ambiguity? Retards. Are you a retard? There is good obstructionism and bad obstructionism. Good obstructionism is when someone attempts to ram a blatantly partisan power-grab through the legislature, and people slow it down so that everyone has a chance to figure out what’s really going on. Bad obstructionism is when someone \*routinely \*slows or blocks \*everything \*that they don’t like, regardless of how long it’s been up for debate. Oh, and a side note, if no one else has brought it up yet… You know who else used “fillibuster by flight” to deny a legislative body the quorum it needed? Abraham Lincoln. Someone who’s generally considered to be a pretty decent politician, all things considered. Oh, and a Republican. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/168 "2011-03-08T00:17:10Z")
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/169 "2011-03-08T02:06:34Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > This fucking board reminds me why I always voted Republican. If you are a biilionaire I understand why you would. if not, you are voting against your financial interests. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/170 "2011-03-08T02:27:09Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > If you are a biilionaire I understand why you would. if not, you are voting against your financial interests. Let’s for a moment say that’s true. That would just mean that he finds something more important than his financial gain. That wold be a good thing, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/171 "2011-03-08T02:40:26Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Why do you care if the door hits him? I don’t get that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/172 "2011-03-08T03:11:59Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Why do you care if the door hits him? I don’t get that. > > 🙂 Doors cost money. Why wouldn’t you worry about the door? ---
**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:** [March 8, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/173 "2011-03-08T03:25:16Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The UK has a [Gini coefficient of 34, and the US 45](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2172rank.html), which indicates that the US has significantly greater income inequality. Among developed states, only Hong Kong (not really a state) and Singapore rank higher than the US. Not to worry. A few more tax breaks for high earners, elimination of tax on investment income, and elimination of unions will get that score up to 75 or so. The US will then be #1! Can’t let Namibia show you up! ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/174 "2011-03-08T03:30:50Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Funny - all of my poorer relations sucking from the public teat vote GOP. But it’s okay because they don’t _enjoy_ being on benefits and anyway it’s their own money they’re getting back (as opposed to other people of benefits who are getting other people’s tax money). This. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/175 "2011-03-08T12:17:04Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Let’s for a moment say that’s true. That would just mean that he finds something more important than his financial gain. > > That wold be a good thing, wouldn’t it? Not really, because it’s typically fear of the gays or dark skinned people. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/176 "2011-03-08T15:45:09Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Let’s for a moment say that’s true. That would just mean that he finds something more important than his financial gain. > > That wold be a good thing, wouldn’t it? Well, personally I’m not any more concerned about Jesus’ financial gain than I am his. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/177 "2011-03-08T16:24:42Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Why do you care if the door hits him? I don’t get that. > > 🙂 I’m a liberal, I care about EVERYTHING! ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/178 "2011-03-08T18:50:34Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Not really, because it’s typically fear of the gays or dark skinned people. What about a dark-skinned gay guy? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/179 "2011-03-08T18:53:35Z")
You are probably safe enough in Oregon. Idaho, maybe not so much. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554/180 "2011-03-08T19:06:55Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Why do you care if the door hits him? I don’t get that. > > 🙂 - [says sweetly]\* Don’t let the door hit you on the way out… _[yells]_ I don’t want ass prints on my new door! – Mom, Futurama [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-fucking-board-is-pushing-me-towards-voting-republican/573554.md?page=10)