# What makes a "good Republican?" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787 "2019-02-01T15:34:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/101 "2019-02-04T04:54:58Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Some people are trying to demonise them, present them as ‘the other’ in the same way that the Nazis did the Jews. And they appear to be succeeding. You’re either serious, in which case I repeat, seek help. I mean, portraying Republicans as poor, persecuted waifs, equivalent to Jews in WWII is simply… insane. or Poe’s Law, in which case, good job. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/102 "2019-02-04T04:55:17Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It was Americans of all political persuasions who kicked his ass, not just Democrats. Some of them were Democrats, some of them were Republicans, some were Communists, and some had other political persuasions. > > And that’s an interesting typo. I’ve been engaged in an exchange of thoughtful posts with other people in this thread. We’ve been discussing issues of political philosophy and history. You have chosen not to participate at that level. Instead you are just making unintelligent attacks against the Democrats. So when I was directly responded to you, I intentionally dumbed it down. If you want to join us at the grown-up table, you’re welcome to do so. But it means you’ll have to start engaging in intelligent conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/103 "2019-02-04T05:48:52Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Some people are trying to demonise them, present them as ‘the other’ in the same way that the Nazis did the Jews. And they appear to be succeeding. The side that literally spawns Nazis are being portrayed like the victims of Nazis? And you actually wonder why you’re considered a joke? ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/104 "2019-02-04T07:20:42Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > The side that literally spawns Nazis are being portrayed like the victims of Nazis? And you actually wonder why you’re considered a joke? At this point **Quartz** has bad opinions so often and so impressively that he should really be trying to monetize that talent. Then again, being a gigantic tool isn’t really that much of a talent. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/105 "2019-02-04T09:17:00Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > You’re either serious, in which case I repeat, seek help. I mean, portraying Republicans as poor, persecuted waifs, equivalent to Jews in WWII is simply… insane. It’s insane, but it’s also a fundamental part of how they view themselves. They are the embattled followers of the One True God in a world of Satanic unbelievers who want to damn them; they are the embattled Pure White Race in a world of subhuman _untermenschen_ who want to rape and kill them; they are the Makers in a world of parasitic Takers who want to steal from them. It’s a central part of how they justify their desire to torment, kill and enslave everyone else on Earth as just, holy and necessary. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/106 "2019-02-04T09:56:05Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I mentioned [Evan McMullin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_McMullin) in another thread. From what I’ve seen he’s socially and fiscally conservative but not irrationally so (he opposes gay marriage but accepts that it’s the law of the land, for example), accepts science (e.g. on climate change), and even supports the basics of PPACA. I disagree with many of his positions but he appears to be genuinely principled (which on the face of it is odd for a former CIA agent) and working for what he sees as best for the country rather than the party. > > There used to be many more like him in the Republican Party but of late the party has adopted a policy of tolerating any behavior, no matter how immoral, corrupt, treasonous or outright illegal, as long as it benefits the party itself even if it harms the country, and has booted the Old School Republicans as RINOs. McMullin ran solely because Trump was not hawkish enough. It’s not a surprise you choose a hawk spook. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/107 "2019-02-04T10:13:03Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > McMullin ran solely because Trump was not hawkish enough. It’s not a surprise you choose a hawk spook. How nice. Another contribution at the standard we’ve come to expect from you. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/108 "2019-02-04T10:53:40Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > How nice. Another contribution at the standard we’ve come to expect from you. Yes and the charming uncomprehending warlust we come to expect from you and Bill Kristol. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/109 "2019-02-04T12:28:52Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Generally, one that actually believes in fiscal conservatism and social liberalism. But that is the position of the [Libertarian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_Party_(United_States)#Platform) [party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Chart), not the Republican. > [@](#): > > And is willing to discuss these areas with data, and is willing to adjust their viewpoint if shown their assumptions were incorrect (BTW, we on the Liberal side need to be prepared to do that as well). Now, there ya got me. 🙂 > [@Littleman](#): > > Soda taxes , really, do we need the government that involved they tell us what to drink? Exactly. As a libertarian I point to NYC’s [soda cup size](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugary_Drinks_Portion_Cap_Rule) law as Democrats running amok\* without being a homophobe opposed to gay marriage rights. \*Yeah, yeah, Bloomberg was a nominal Republican when he was elected mayor and pushed for the law, but he was a Democrat immediately before running and reverted back to Democrat during the 2016 election cycle. de Blasio, OTOH is a dyed in the wool Democrat and continues to push for the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/110 "2019-02-04T12:46:26Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yes and the charming uncomprehending warlust we come to expect from you and Bill Kristol. First Maddow and now Kristol. I realize that this may be completely foreign to you but those of us capable of rational thinking don’t get our opinions dictated to us by the voices we hear, either the ones on television or the ones in our heads. Once again, you have seized a random factoid (“Gyrate cites McMullin as an example of a good Republican”), built a strawman around it (“McMullin is actually a warhawk and that, rather than _the things Gyrate actually wrote_\*, is the reason he supports him!”), and then ascribed this to blind unthinking adherence to people from the talky box. I suppose it’s easier to argue against your own delusions than against what other people have said. Believe what you want, **Will**. Ha, what am I saying? You always do. And while you play in your imaginary sandbox, the rest of us will be over here in reality. \*One of which was “I disagree with many of his positions”. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/111 "2019-02-04T13:09:12Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > First Maddow and now Kristol. I realize that this may be completely foreign to you but those of us capable of rational thinking don’t get our opinions dictated to us by the voices we hear, either the ones on television or the ones in our heads. Once again, you have seized a random factoid (“Gyrate cites McMullin as an example of a good Republican”), built a strawman around it (“McMullin is actually a warhawk and that, rather than _the things Gyrate actually wrote_\*, is the reason he supports him!”), and then ascribed this to blind unthinking adherence to people from the talky box. I suppose it’s easier to argue against your own delusions than against what other people have said. > > Believe what you want, **Will**. Ha, what am I saying? You always do. And while you play in your imaginary sandbox, the rest of us will be over here in reality. > \*One of which was “I disagree with many of his positions”. You are a deranged Russia-hating Warhawk who happens to name another Warhawk as a good Republican. This is the guy who is nationally known only because he thought Trump didn’t want to kill enough people and decided to run against him. That you like this guy is a bit too much of a coincidence. Of course you are typical of contemporary liberal warhawks, if you weren’t such a cliche I wouldn’t waste my time pointing out how morally bankrupt you are. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/112 "2019-02-04T13:11:00Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If “being a good Republican” means “becoming a Democrat”, that would defeat the purpose of the thread, which is why I asked about good Republicanism in a way that is still distinct and different than Democratism. :smack: What’s next? A thread “What is 2+2 in a way that is distinct from 4 ?” At this point the Republican Party must be obliterated, completely defanged, castrated and thrown on a funeral pyre. (I hope that a new Two Party system arises from the ashes.) Anyone who doesn’t understand that is part of the problem. If you really don’t understand even that much, Google “Republicans torture children.” Yes, the search phrase is hyperbolic but anyone so comatose as to think anything Republican is worth salvage needs a rude awakening. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/113 "2019-02-04T13:16:43Z")
There is a valid argument for a soda tax (rather than a pointless restriction on serving sizes), but I think it depends on having publicly run health care. And, still, only a tax, and only one to recoup cost–no behavior taxes like with cigarettes. That said, it’s a tricky path to go down without getting worse. As for the OP’s question: it’s difficult. It has to be fact-based, and I’m not sure there is anything that is fact based. Now if you mean morally good, then just not racist, not sexist, not homophobic, etc, caring about other people, including the less fortunate, not overly concerned with money, not willing to do tricks that benefit them, not lying or stretching the truth, and stuff like that. But that’s the same for everyone. Problem is, so much of that has become the Demcractic/liberal position in opposition to the Republicans. Republicans don’t push morality anymore. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/114 "2019-02-04T13:22:31Z")
At first I thought he said “uncomprehending walrus,” and figured he was referring to John Bolton. Then I realized it was “warlust,” and knew for sure. **Will** drew a crude crayon sketch of the world one day, and has spent the rest of his life holding it up and squinting so they look the same. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/115 "2019-02-04T14:01:30Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > **Will** drew a crude crayon sketch of the world one day, and has spent the rest of his life holding it up and squinting so they look the same. Pretty much. But you have to give him credit: no matter how far removed from reality his worldview is, he remains utterly consistent in advocating it. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/116 "2019-02-04T16:16:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > There is a valid argument for a soda tax (rather than a pointless restriction on serving sizes), but I think it depends on having publicly run health care. And, still, only a tax, and only one to recoup cost–no behavior taxes like with cigarettes. That said, it’s a tricky path to go down without getting worse. The argument for taxing sodas is the same as the argument for taxing cigarettes. The only meaningful distinction is that we are conditioned to accept high taxes on cigarettes. That is not to say that I am for or against soda taxes or cigarette taxes, only that you can’t distinguish between the two on principle. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/117 "2019-02-04T16:20:20Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Pretty much. But you have to give him credit: no matter how far removed from reality his worldview is, he remains utterly consistent in advocating it. That is not to his credit. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/118 "2019-02-04T16:25:35Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > But you have to give him credit: no matter how far removed from reality his worldview is, he remains utterly consistent in advocating it. The same can be said about David Icke. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/119 "2019-02-04T16:55:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The same can be said about David Icke. Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787/120 "2019-02-04T18:21:20Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > The side that literally spawns Nazis are being portrayed like the victims of Nazis? And you actually wonder why you’re considered a joke? I am of the opinion that othering is a non-beneficial strategy in the long run. Maybe not even in the short run. If them is not part of us, we are just fomenting conflict. But, there is another thing at play here. Some guys decided to goof around with some high-tech equipment and claimed that they observed an apparent correlation between ideological inclinations and brain structure. They found that those attracted to left-wing ideas tend to be heavier in the forehead region whereas those with right-wing preferences showed more development in an area called the amygdala (sometimes also called “the lizard brain”). Point is, if it is no longer ok to persecute people for how they are keen to use their genitals (except for some specific applications) because they cannot help being that way, and if it can be proved that political ideology is a similar thing, an aspect of your personality that is outside your control, then one could possibly see that denigrating right-wing assholes might in fact be sorta like hate speech. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-republican/828787.md?page=7)