# Will the GOP implode over Tea Party demands for cuts to ethanol subsidies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653 "2010-11-23T13:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/21 "2010-11-23T17:03:40Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If they can, good for them. The agriculture lobby is arguably the most disproportionately powerful group in America. I certainly hope they try; better men than Teabaggers have bashed their heads against Big Corn. Some lived to regret it. To reiterate, I am against ethanol subsidies. But I am not so stupid as to let it become the centerpiece of my presidential campaign. If the Democrats don’t seize on this as a potential wedge, I will be disappointed yet again. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/22 "2010-11-23T17:06:17Z")
I’m beginning to suspect that that USA is but a pawn and a puppet in furthering the corn species program for world domination. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/23 "2010-11-23T17:08:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think what it is, is beyond the pale. “Teabagger” and “Repugnican” are the height of Algonquinian wit by comparison. The Pit demand is only so that we can, **in this same thread,** give **Shodan** the crucifixion he deserves. Not an unreasonable demand under the circumstances, **Marley.** Touched a tender nerve, did it? Why don’t you just open your own Pit thread, then, and see how it goes? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/24 "2010-11-23T17:10:21Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I’m beginning to suspect that that USA is but a pawn and a puppet in furthering the corn species program for world domination. They say dogs domesticated man, but I think you might be onto something. Dogs are pikers compared to the Almighty Kernel. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/25 "2010-11-23T17:12:53Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It is a Rush Limbaugh bit, that he did back when Clinton was President. Algore was Clinton’s evil henchman. You should wear really long fake eyelashes so you can bat your eyes innocently after posting partisan drivel. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/26 "2010-11-23T17:14:00Z")
Naw, too abstract. Try this: The US government is but a pawn and a puppet in furthering the net income of Archer Daniels Midland. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/27 "2010-11-23T17:14:06Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think what it is, is beyond the pale. “Teabagger” and “Repugnican” are the height of Algonquinian wit by comparison. The Pit demand is only so that we can, **in this same thread,** give **Shodan** the crucifixion he deserves. Not an unreasonable demand under the circumstances, **Marley.** This isn’t the forum for criticizing **Shodan** as a person. If you want to criticize what he said in, you can do that here. But as far as I know, Al Gore doesn’t post here, and all users are pretty much allowed to say what they like about people who don’t post here. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/28 "2010-11-23T17:26:26Z")
If calling a politician a snarky name was enough to move a thread to the pit, Great Debates would be a ghost town. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/29 "2010-11-23T17:33:12Z")
For the record, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard “Algore” explained. I think it’s kind of funny but not worth the effort I put into trying to figure out what it meant over the years. That being said it’s time to get back to the thread topic. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/30 "2010-11-23T20:25:45Z")
I’ll expect **BrainGlutton** to retroactively pit himself for refering to the previous POTUS as “Shrub” then, as they are about the same in level of vitriol. As someone who grew up in Montana, I don’t know much about Ethanol, but EVERYONE listens to the farmers in states like that. Will be interesting, if nothing else. I expect the legislation to die a quiet whimper. And deMint will be able to say he tried… which is all he really wants to do. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/31 "2010-11-23T20:52:41Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > If calling a politician a snarky name was enough to move a thread to the pit, Great Debates would be a ghost town. And would be better off for it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/32 "2010-11-23T21:08:29Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > I expect the legislation to die a quiet whimper. And deMint will be able to say he tried… which is all he really wants to do. I think it can still be exploited if we can get any Tea Party/GOP candidates to come out either for it or against it. Such a video could be recycled into effective negative ads for the primary season; if they are for banning subsidies, a generic PAC called something like Patriot Farmers of America could get millions from ADM to whip up fear in the Corn Belt. If they support subsidies, an equally vague PAC like Americans for Prosperity could front ads attacking their lack of devotion to cutting spending and not listening to the voters. Either way, they get some stick. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/33 "2010-11-23T21:12:39Z")
It’s just another thing they’ll claim is “off the table”, after they get their guidance from Ailes, of course. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/34 "2010-11-23T21:13:18Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > To reiterate, I am against ethanol subsidies. But I am not so stupid as to let it become the centerpiece of my presidential campaign. If the Democrats don’t seize on this as a potential wedge, I will be disappointed yet again. That’s kind of unfair. If you agree that reducing or ending ethanol subsidies is good for the country, you should be in favor of it regardless of which party is trying to get it done. Otherwise, you’re Mitch McConnell without the fancy stationery. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/35 "2010-11-23T21:13:40Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > And would be better off for it. Here, here. In the meantime, I’m glad that BrainGlutton will be devoting his energies to reporting every thread that references “shrub.” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/36 "2010-11-23T21:14:41Z")
ETA - what **Not Really All That Bright** says. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/37 "2010-11-23T21:21:47Z")
As far as I am concerned Archer-Daniels-Midland can make all the money they want and get all the tax subsidies they can swallow as long as Number Two Yellow Corn that was worth less than two dollars a bushel two years ago sells for five buck the bushel today. If South Carolina can find prosperity sucking on the public pap, then there is no good reason that the Corn Belt can’t do the same thing. As a plus, it puts a bunch of low-tax, small government, let-the-market-do-as-it-pleases Congressmen in a bind. What is good for the Farm Bureau, what is good for the Corn Growers Association, is good for the country. Midwestern Congress Critters best recognize that and get straight with their constituents (a fair number of whom grow, process and sell corn) pretty fast. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/38 "2010-11-23T21:31:39Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > That’s kind of unfair. If you agree that reducing or ending ethanol subsidies is good for the country, you should be in favor of it regardless of which party is trying to get it done. > > Otherwise, you’re Mitch McConnell without the fancy stationery. I am not interested in fighting fair. I am interested in winning elections. ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/39 "2010-11-23T21:33:23Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > I expect the legislation to die a quiet whimper. And deMint will be able to say he tried… which is all he really wants to do. Do you mean legislation to extend the subsidies and tariffs? They will expire otherwise. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653/40 "2010-11-23T21:34:27Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I am not interested in fighting fair. I am interested in winning elections. Fine, but you don’t get to bitch about the GOP cockblocking Obama, then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-gop-implode-over-tea-party-demands-for-cuts-to-ethanol-subsidies/561653.md?page=3)