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You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Stupidity / This is a Party That Has Run Out of Ideas

This is a Party That Has Run Out of Ideas

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I’m chuckling at this:

House Republicans don’t want Uncle Sam paying for any more lap dances.

A bill that GOP leaders are bringing to the House floor Wednesday would require states to prevent welfare recipients from accessing or spending their benefits at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.

Republicans included the proposal in the payroll tax bill the House passed in December, and are bringing it back up for a vote separately as part of a package of bills they want included in a final agreement extending the payroll tax cut and other measures through 2012.

For some reason, the whole notion of a giant wave of welfare recipients paying for lap dances with state issued cards makes me laugh.

But seriously, this is it. This is the kind of stuff the GOP is going to be heading into the election year promoting. So much fail.

Reader Interactions

64Comments

  4. 4.

    BD of MN

    And really, all they’re doing is attacking those welfare recipients/strip club patrons who are poor planners, and didn’t stop at the grocery or drug store on their way out the door…

  5. 5.

    Comrade Mary

    Up next: a bill requiring that welfare recipients shout at street corners in order to keep the tigers away.

  7. 7.

    Calouste

    I’d like to see a Democrat bring an amendment to include legislators at any level, federal, state or local, and prevent them from accessing or spending their salary at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.

  8. 8.

    satby

    Just a new version of the very old Cadillac driving welfare queens and strapping young bucks buying steak lapdances.

  11. 11.

    Cat Lady

    Since all they do is project like a cineplex expect a wave of House goopers to be caught gambling with strippers and meth in 3..2..

  12. 12.

    tBone

    We can’t have young bucks out buying t-bone steaks with taxpayer money buying lap dances with EBT cards.

    Nothing ever goes out of style in Republicanland, does it?

    EDIT: beaten to the punch by satby.

  13. 13.

    Hungry Joe

    Along with every food stamp disbursement, the government should include a chit for one lap dance or one evening at Chippendale’s. To promote the general welfare, per the Preamble.

    The GOP’s got nothin’. Nuthin’!

  15. 15.

    MikeJ

    This one’s already come and gone in Washington.

    What’s hilarious is that the benefit cards can(could?) be used at pretty much any ATM. Which means that stopping people from using them in certain places requires extra (GASP) REGULATIONS on ATM owners, who will actually need to spend money to sort all this out.

    Never let a republican say he hates regulation.

  16. 16.

    JGabriel

    The Hill:

    House Republicans don’t want Uncle Sam paying for any more lap dances.

    Dammit! Now I’ve gotta come up with a new business plan.

    .

  17. 17.

    eemom

    Cue a barrage of dumbass concern trolls to tell us what a fucking brilliant move this is cuz independents are totally gonna blame Obama, and no Democratic president has EVER been reelected in the same year that strip club legislation was introduced, and it’s gonna play right up to the wingnuts who are still undecided about Romney and snap them RIGHT into line.

  18. 18.

    jackmac

    Do you suppose they could add an amendment barring Congressmen — especially Republicans — from spending money at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores? Oh, that might cause a quorum problem.

  20. 20.

    danimal

    We can thank the blue state of California and the liberal media bastion LA Times for this non-issue soaking up so much oxygen.

    My department has countless hours working to make sure welfare recipients don’t use their benefit cards at the local casinos. No one cares if they withdraw money from the gas station a half block away.

    Also, too: lots of casino (and probably strip club) workers are working poor folks who receive partial government assistance. Rules like this are an unnecessary inconvenience to these workers.

  21. 21.

    Suffern ACE

    God. They’re getting soft. The republicans I remember would triple ban them at gay strip clubs.

  23. 23.

    smelter rat

    Jeezuz H Christ….I live in Manitoba, a province run by socialists since the late 60’s, and even here the people on welfare can’t afford to go to strip clubs, even though their warmth might save them from freezing on the streets. WTF is wrong with the Repubs?

  25. 25.

    Ken

    @Calouste: legislators at any level, federal, state or local, and prevent them from accessing or spending their salary at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.

    At a stroke, it would do more to put those companies out of business than every morality ordinance and blue law ever passed.

  26. 26.

    Warren Terra

    Is this a case of the Republicans telling stories of Stripping Young Bucks?

    Or should it be “Does”? Something to dehumanize the people they’re talking about, anyhow.

  27. 27.

    General Stuck

    LOL

    The Newt man has some ideas, a gas can, and biggie sized butthurt

    The Newt Gingrich campaign is gearing up to challenge the results of the Florida Republican presidential primary based on the Republican National Committee’s own rules which state that no contest can be winner-take-all prior to April 1, 2012. (See RNC memo.)

    Not only is he not going away, he intends to find all the GOP buried bodies and give them a decent funeral. Run NOOT RUN!

  28. 28.

    Stevie314

    These guys are beyond morons.

    All this will do is remind the media about the 2010 stories of the RNC under Michael Steele spending all that money at..wait for it…a strip club:

    A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

  29. 29.

    realbtl

    Since the Repubs seem to want a return to the values of the past, perhaps they can require welfare recipients to wear a scarlet W on their clothes?

  30. 30.

    Citizen_X

    We can still buy pr0n with our luxe unemployment checks, right?

    Note to Goopers: don’t try this trick with soldiers’ pay. There’d be a coup the day after it passed.

  31. 31.

    Jamey

    Not stoopid at all, JC. It’s a two-fer that will keep the base motivated–GOPers get to crap on the poors yet again, while also standing up for “traditional American moral values.”

    Surprised you got sucked in by this one.

  32. 32.

    Maus

    This is why we so desperately need to drug test our lawmakers.

    And we need to peer into lawmakers’ bedrooms, to ensure that they’re not having any fun.

    Also, projection.

  33. 33.

    WyldPirate

    Man, you mean I can’t use my foodstamp debit card in that sweet new mini card-swiper my favorite stripper just got installed in her, um, err sweet spot?

    Farking buzz-harshing rethugs….

  35. 35.

    AA+ Bonds

    That is the sort of Gingrich I am okay with because people get really fucking bored with election challenges in our barbaric runoff-free medieval voting system

    So no one will hear him talk about how the blacks are bad, blacks need to get off food stamps, etc. but instead about SOME ELECTION CRAP IN FLORIDA

  36. 36.

    piratedan

    well so much for “the pursuit of happiness”…. strict constitutionalists my ass! or her ass! (g-string may or may not be included dependent upon type of establishment)

  38. 38.

    AA+ Bonds

    THOSE CLOWNS IN FLORIDA WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOWNS

    HEY WHAT IF HANGING CHAD . . . WAS A DUDE

    and so on

  39. 39.

    jl

    I eagerly await the proposal to outlaw anyone on economic assistance from owning pets. Why spend money on loafers who are feeding lazy unproductive animals? I see no reason.

    There will be a Brooks column about how our real All American forefathers, who were self-reliant and bold, yet humble and very respectful of their betters, ate their pets before they would even think of asking for help from anyone.

    Brooks will explain how self indulgent and soft Americans have become.

    Brooks will probably quote John Adams, who recorded an exchange he heard one day between a well off man and a homeless beggar, way way back in the good old days:

    “Why should I give you money? You have a dog by your side. Why should I pay to feed you and a dog?”

    “But if I had no dog, Sir, who would love me?”

    Oh, wait, wrong quote. I am sure Brooks will… not bother and give us a a little sermon of vague and priggish generalities about how all miracles of capitalism and the vast increase in productivity from technological advance means we must be poorer and more brutal every day.

  43. 43.

    MD Rackham

    Ah, the memories of stuffing food stamps in strippers’ g-strings. These new-fangled EBT cards take all the fun out of it.

  44. 44.

    Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal

    i don’t see anything where they want to ban church vans from the parking lots of strip clubs, adult book stores, and associated venues. those things not only take up a lot of space, but their sheer size keeps stalkers and private investigators from getting a good view of the customers comings and goings on in the parking lot.
    church passenger vans have been an adjunct to criminal conspiracies to do sex stuff and drug stuff.

  45. 45.

    The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik

    @Rabble Arouser #1: Sometimes nothing can be a real cruel hand.

    @Villago Delenda Est #41: Chances are most people don’t, especially their constituents. Which is why it works. :/

  47. 47.

    amk

    What a dumb fuckery by amurikans to put these klowns in charge of their and their nation’s destiny.

  50. 50.

    JCT

    Hey, wait a minute, I pay David Diaper Vitter’s salary, didn’t he use it to pay for ummm, prostitutes? I think he should testify.

  51. 51.

    The Republic of Stupidity

    @Rabble Arouser:

    Wow, they really have a hand full of nothing this cycle.

    Oh, they’ve got a handful of something, alrighty…

    It’s just not discussed in polite society…

    Which means Repubs have no problem talking about it at all…

    As a matter of fact, more than a few of them would prolly gladly post it on youtube, looking for their next date…

  52. 52.

    Ella in New Mexico

    They don’t give a flying fuck about welfare recipients using their $$ for lap dances or beer!!!! They already can’t do that!

    This is just one of a bajillion ridiculous culture war amendments the Republicans have started adding to legislation in hopes Barack Obama will have to veto them and thus, give them a “humiliation” they can use against him in the general election.

    “Barack Obama believes welfare recipients should be able to use their funds in strip clubs and at liquor stores…”

  53. 53.

    Jamie

    All of theese sorts of bills need to be amended with “…or a state or federal money”, so that they apply to the lawmakers, as well. Attempting to make it apply to lobby shops would probably give an out to court challenges, sigh.

  55. 55.

    Triassic Sands

    Like so much of the Republican agenda, this is just one big bag of hate. Across the country we see the GOP proposing laws that are unnecessary, unless you believe that the wars on the poor, women, and the middle class should be the central focus of government.

    It’s impossible not to despise these people.

  56. 56.

    SFAW

    It’s impossible not to despise these people.

    But now, through the miracle of not-so-modern medical technology …

    “Still concerned with how the Republicans are actively trying to destroy this country? Don’t know how to stop despising them?

    Maybe what you need is … PFL!! A centuries-old technology, but updated for modern problems! One PFL, and all your worries and cares will seem to vanish!

    Call your medical professional today, and ask if Pre-Frontal Lobotomy is right for you!”

    Disclaimer: is you are a Republican, you have probably already had one. Please check with your Doctor to see if having a second one will make any difference.

  57. 57.

    Surly Duff

    The whole bill is simply a cover for stripper-loving politicians.
    “Senator, why were you coming out of a strip club the other night?”
    “Umm…I was just ensuring that no one was using their welfare checks in there. I was protecting your tax money!”

  58. 58.

    Max L

    Democrats should just amend the bill to include No Entertainment Write-Offs for Strip Clubs. No way should taxpayers foot the bill for corporate executives to party at tittie bars, I say!

    If it wasn’t expensed, half the gentlemen’s clubs in the country would be empty. Think of all the douchebag suits who would be fuming over losing their tittie bar expense accounts. Lulz.

    Meanwhile, the number of welfare recipients at strip clubs would remain zero.

    Dems are so dumb sometimes, this is a golden goose of an issue.

  59. 59.

    SFAW

    Max L –

    Excellent idea. Is your Congressman D or R? If a D, you should contact him/her with the idea.

    Mine’s a D, so if you strike out with yours, I may contact mine. Should be good fun.

  60. 60.

    Max L

    OK, done. Sent to Rep. Garamendi (Dem, CA). Please send to yours as well, if you like:

    Dr. rep. Garamendi,

    There is a vote today on barrinf the use of TANF funds at strip clubs. Can you amend or include in that bill a provision that would “End Corporate Entertainment Write-Offs for Strip Clubs”?

    No way should taxpayers foot the bill for corporate executives to party at strip bars, right?

    If it wasn’t expensed, half the gentlemen’s clubs in the country would be empty. Think of all the banksters who would be fuming over losing their strip bar expense accounts.

    Meanwhile, the number of welfare recipients at strip clubs would remain pretty much zero.

    This is a golden goose of an issue for you.

    Best,

    Max Lawton

  61. 61.

    Rob L

    Good Idea Max L.

    I say it should extend to Congress as well after all they are paid by us and they are more likely to pay money to go to a strip club than someone on welfare and food stamps.

    Do we have any meaningful statistics on just how many people use their welfare money on strip clubs. It is just “look at what I proposed GOPers” legislation i.e. another GOP bill that has little to no substance and solves a nonexistent problem. But they are going to solve it anyway!

  62. 62.

    A.J.

    Isn’t this just another unfunded mandate from the federal government that the Rethuglicans say they just despise?

    Or do they just expect the states to dig in and around the cushions to come up with the cash for this nonsense?

    (Then again, there are plenty of police who might like that dirty assignment and do it on the cheap, a.k.a. “free”.

  63. 63.

    Nancy Irving

    A ban on using EBT cards at liquor stores could create a real problem. Spending food stamp benefits on alcoholic beverages is already prohibited; but a great many poor neighborhoods have no supermarkets, and liquor stores are in fact the only place to buy groceries.

    GOP fail, *again*.

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