# YAY! The Republicans are standing up for the little guy. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 1, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309 "2009-06-01T02:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/1 "2009-06-01T02:01:54Z")
Story [Here](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-sotomayor-gop1-2009jun01,0,6441167.story) I, for one, am tired of being held down by the WoMan. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/2 "2009-06-01T02:19:04Z")
I might would agree with whatever point you’re making, if only I knew what it was. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/3 "2009-06-01T03:04:18Z")
From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/4 "2009-06-01T03:19:28Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? They don’t need it. They have had their way for a long time. The activist judges that Bush put in just entrenched their powers. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/5 "2009-06-01T03:19:53Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? The same rich, white guys who have had every possible benefit and opportunity for centuries are now _deeply concerned_ that _1/9_ of the Supreme Court might not be entirely fair to them? Really now, in saying that her background has an influence on her decision making, she’s just being refreshingly honest. You think those white guys who constantly make decisions that primarily benefit white guys aren’t being influenced by their backgrounds? But there is no evidence that this supposed prejudicial unfairness towards White People Who Heretofore Have Had Every Advantage that people are nervous about is present in her legal thinking in the slightest. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/6 "2009-06-01T05:43:38Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? Exactly this. If the Constitution mandates that she vote in favor of the rich, white guy, would she? Hard cases make bad law. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/7 "2009-06-01T05:46:56Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > The same rich, white guys who have had every possible benefit and opportunity for centuries are now _deeply concerned_ that _1/9_ of the Supreme Court might not be entirely fair to them? Shouldn’t it be a valid concern that 9/9 of the Supreme Court are fair to everyone? Openly accepting that she will be unfair towards whites and being gleeful about it (I’m not advocating that position, but you seem to be acknowledging it’s a possibility and not caring) is either racism or white guilt. Edit: My point is that we should be striving towards an ideal of fairness to everyone, not coming to some “haha, screw whitey, we’ve/they’ve had it good for too long, so let’s commit the same injustice in the other direction” ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/8 "2009-06-01T06:00:51Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > The same rich, white guys who have had every possible benefit and opportunity for centuries The same ones? Damn, those fuckers are _old_. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/9 "2009-06-01T06:36:50Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Openly accepting that she will be unfair towards whites and being gleeful about it (I’m not advocating that position, but you seem to be acknowledging it’s a possibility and not caring) is either racism or white guilt. No, I think people should try to be fair. I think Ms. Sotomayor will try to be fair. I think the hysteria over her possible unfairness towards white men is hilariously exaggerated. White fear is racist at its core. > [@Boozahol Squid](#): > > The same ones? Damn, those fuckers are old. Way to be idiotically literal… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/10 "2009-06-01T06:58:06Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Way to be idiotically literal… :rolleyes: I always assumed your sense of humor turned into a pumpkin at midnight, but clearly its watch is fast this evening… ---
**Author:** ![bannerrefugee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/11 "2009-06-01T06:58:59Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Really now, in saying that her background has an influence on her decision making, she’s just being refreshingly honest. You think those white guys who constantly make decisions that primarily benefit white guys aren’t being influenced by their backgrounds? The answer is simple. If your not rich white and male and you have to make important decisions, find a rich white guy and ask them what to do. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/12 "2009-06-01T06:59:43Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Way to be idiotically literal… :rolleyes: You want to have to explain to me how benefits to people centuries ago gives cause for denigrating people\* who share characteristics with them now? \*please don’t construe this to mean that I agree that Sotomayer was put on this Earth to cut Whitey down to size. I just think you’re being a twerp, is all. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2009, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/13 "2009-06-01T08:35:25Z")
I think it is fair to ask if she will be fair to everyone, just like it would be fair to ask if a rich white guy would be fair to Puerto Ricans. If the candidate has a history of racist actions of any kind, that should be brought up. If it’s all based on misinterpreting something she said, or one case that might have been influenced by racism while the rest are squeaky clean, then, no, it shouldn’t be an issue. We’ll never get it exactly right, but I think we have a duty to try and keep racists out of positions of power. As our society as a whole is against racism. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/14 "2009-06-01T11:23:46Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I think it is fair to ask if she will be fair to everyone, just like it would be fair to ask if a rich white guy would be fair to Puerto Ricans. And yet, do they? ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/15 "2009-06-01T11:48:40Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > But there is no evidence that this supposed prejudicial unfairness towards White People Who Heretofore Have Had Every Advantage that people are nervous about is present in her legal thinking in the slightest. Are you suggesting that having brown skin and a vagina **isn’t** prima facie evidence of bias against rich white men? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/16 "2009-06-01T11:54:59Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? You’re clearly being disingenuous. What you should have said was, “Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Pureto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes in the same way a superior white person can?” See, crackers are so well-developed that they can see past their next meal. Brown people? Eh, not so sure. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/17 "2009-06-01T12:19:00Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > I think the hysteria over her possible unfairness towards white men is hilariously exaggerated. White fear is racist at its core. Of course, because only a _racist_ would want people treated in an egalitarian manner. Of course. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/18 "2009-06-01T13:37:07Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Way to be idiotically literal… :rolleyes: Even if you have trouble responding to sarcasm, do not respond with insults. [/Modding] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/19 "2009-06-01T13:38:24Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I just think you’re being a twerp, is all. And i think you are not paying attention to the forum to which you are posting. Post insults only in the Pit. [/Modding] ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/20 "2009-06-01T14:58:03Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? Of course not. No one is fair to rich, white guys. That’s because rich white guys do not need fairness. The power that they possess offsets whatever fairness they might need. Now, if you frame your question something like this: “Will she be able to interpret law as it applies to the case at hand regardless of the race or class of the individuals involved?” The answer, given her record, is an obvious yes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309.md?page=2)