What stupid thing did the GOP say or do this time? Episode 3!

[wonko the sane?]

It's texas, we already knew that.

 

[NovaSaber]

Republicans move to repeal law that saves older Americans billions in health care costs

Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry is cosponsoring a bill to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

pennsylvaniaindependent.com

Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and 15 other House Republicans have filed a bill to completely repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, President Joe Biden’s health care and clean energy infrastructure law. Repeal of the law would significantly increase costs for millions of American consumers.

The 2022 law, passed by Democratic majorities in Congress without a single Republican vote in favor, authorized $369 billion in energy and climate change infrastructure investments; capped out-of-pocket prescription drug and insulin costs for millions of older Americans; authorized the Medicare program to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices on commonly used drugs; and provided funding to the Internal Revenue Service to modernize its operations and crack down on wealthy tax evaders.

 

[Rhinox]

Older americans tended to vote heavily for Trump. Let them eat cake. (and, I guess, die in a coma since they'll lose their ability to afford insulin)

How Older Voters Powered Trump’s Election Engine

Analysis shows this voting block turned the tides and pinpoints why

www.aarp.org

 

[wonko the sane?]

So they're actively killing off their core constituents?

 

[KidTDragon]

That sounds like the best scenario we could hope for.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

They're looking for ways to funnel more money to their rich owners. If poor people suffer and die in the process, eh, that's business.

 

[Pale Rider]

FB friend:

Motherf**ker, I am so goddamned sick of dishonest Republican talking points. Is there even a single Republican argument which is actually sincere?

They ramble about "don't erase history" when people want to take down Confederate statues, then they literally turn around and make it illegal for schoolteachers to teach about America's racist history.

They ramble about "freedom of speech" when people want to punish hatemongers like the Westboro Baptist Church or Neo-Nazi groups like the Proud Boys, then they literally turn around and attempt to make pornography illegal.

They ramble about "protecting girls" from transwomen raping them in public bathrooms (something that's never even happened as far as I know), then they literally turn around and vote one of Jeffrey Epstein's best friends into office.

They ramble about "traditional values" and then they literally turn around and vote a guy who cheated on his third wife with a porn star into office.

They ramble about "protecting the working class and small business" and then they literally turn around and vote a guy with a history of hiring illegal immigrants and ripping off contractors (including his own wedding caterer) into office.

They ramble on about "national security" and then they want to appoint an alcoholic who refuses background checks in charge of the Pentagon.

They ramble on about "fiscal responsibility" and then they worship at the feet of a guy who thinks borrowing money, spending it on yourself, and then declaring bankruptcy to stiff your creditors is a brilliant money-making trick.

They ramble on about "biology" when the subject of transgendered people comes up, but they piss all over biology when an actual biologist speaks up to tell them they're wrong, or asks them to stop destroying biodiversity.

There is not one principle they champion which they will not gleefully urinate on, given the opportunity. And it sickens me that they keep winning.

 

[Ungnome]

Yup, if they didn't have a very effective propaganda apparatus, they'd be toast by now. As long as Fox, Newsmax and OAN (and Twitter now) exist to spread their falsehoods, they can distract their base from what they are really doing(fleecing the American public to gain wealth and power for themselves). There should be friggin hefty fines and jail time for KNOWINGLY broadcasting incorrect information. A provable lie isn't an opinion....

 

[MrBlud]

The problem with *that* is Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Having a “Ministry of Truth” means the truth can change depending on who is in charge. Do you want the Trump Administration deciding what you can and cannot say? Do you want them deciding what “the truth” is?

I don’t really have a good answer. It’s very clear that disinformation is destroying the country but I don’t know how you’d stop it short of something like China where speech is controlled and repressed.

 

[NovaSaber]

The truth is what the facts indicate. And only the experts have sufficient facts.

If it's about healthcare, the decision about what's true can only be made by doctors.
If it's about climate change, climate scientists.
If it's about history, historians.
Etc.

 

[Pocket]

Hypothetically, if there had been a Ministry of Truth established when the good guys were in charge, and they had done their damn job, there wouldn't be an opportunity for the bad guys to be put in charge, not now, not ever.

Also, the bad guys don't need a Ministry of Truth to already exist in order to suppress free speech; they'll make one themselves.

 

[Wheelimus]

Have no fear, the GOP has quack doctors to deliver their healthcare facts. Fake scientists to do climate change. And cray cray historians for history. And they can cover etc. as well.

 

[Ungnome]

It's a tricky issue to be sure, but something needs to be done. My guess is the best way to handle it would be having individuals, not the state bring the issue up in court and have both sides bring the evidence to prove their case.

 

[Dekafox]

This whole thing is a mess, really.

Constitutional crisis: House Republicans elect speaker after Simon adjourns session • Minnesota Reformer

Who would enforce Simon’s ruling?

minnesotareformer.com

 

[Dekafox]

Ky lawmaker behind bill limiting blood donations from COVID-vaccinated people says it was an error

Legislation that would block hospitals from transfusing blood containing COVID-19 antibodies or “synthetic mRNA” would severely reduce the state’s blood supply. The bill’s sponsor said Thursday that was a mistake.

www.lpm.org

 

[Rhinox]

Seriously, they are absolutely trying to kill people.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

This is what happens when people raised on fear and misinformation tactics get power.

 

[Corvus]

"Intelligent species" my eye.

 

[Pale Rider]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1881765967338131546

 

[Corvus]

More on that tweet you linked.

'God have mercy on us': GOP rep slammed over 'dangerous' response to bishop’s plea to Trump

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington — who led the inaugural prayer service Washington, DC Tuesday received fierce backlash from a Republican congressman after asking President Donald Trump to "have mercy" on LGBTQ people and immigrants.

“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” said Budde, as Trump, Vice President Vance, and their families looked on.

"There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues."

Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) shared the video via X, writing: "The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list."

Several journalists and immigration experts immediately slammed the Georgia lawmaker over his remark.

Religion News Service national reporter Jack Jenkins replied: "Note: The person giving the sermon in question is Bishop Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington. Collins is suggesting deporting a U.S. citizen and bishop for delivering a sermon in accordance with their faith."

Longtime journalist John Harwood commented: "dangerous lunacy"

American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick added: "A sitting member of Congress calls for the deportation of a bishop who asked Trump to show mercy to those in the country who are afraid. We are in a dark moment in this country and have abandoned our founding principles. God have mercy on us."

Center for International Policy Vice President for Government Affairs Dylan Williams commented: "You know wanting to punish and purge people for exercising freedom of speech and other basic American rights makes you a fascist, right?"