Republicans

[Hermit]

And, likely he's speaking metaphorically there.

"I might metaphorically ask him to metaphorically step outside and settle this metaphorically Aaron Burr-style," Yup. Very likely. Metaphorically speaking.

[Tero]

WASHINGTON—Saying their benefactor sways their positions on everything from healthcare to the environment to economic policy, a new report released Thursday by the Center for Transparent Government found that the Koch brothers are increasingly falling under the influence of a mysterious, high-powered trillionare. “We uncovered evidence suggesting that Charles and David Koch have become nothing but mouthpieces for an unknown multi-trillionaire donor who orchestrates every one of their political activities,” said co-author Leah Romero, adding that it was impossible to imagine the Kochs maintaining any independence whatsoever while regularly receiving massive contributions from a patron whose wealth is rumored to rival the GDP of France. “It’s pure corruption. And it’s happening all across the political spectrum—we found that every one of George Soros’ moves is dictated almost to the letter by the beliefs of his own quintillionaire donor.” Romero went on to say that the report underscored the need for greater transparency and financing reforms, without which a few trillionaires will continue to drown out the true will of the nation’s billionaires.

[L'Emmerdeur]

Why hasn't Galaxian informed us about this? Could it be that he's actually complicit, part of the campaign of disinformation these shadowy trillionaires and quintillionaires are certainly funding?

---

Meanwhile, from the party of fiscal responsibility:

"Republicans just killed their plan to pay for tax cuts"

House Republicans have officially killed their border adjustment tax. The idea was barely a year old but was a cornerstone to their plan to reduce corporate tax rates this year. Its death leaves big questions for President Trump, the GOP, and the tax reform push.

The proposal to tax businesses on imported products, while exempting exports, suffered many near-death experiences in the 13 months it was debated. But it probably never stood a chance against powerful retailers that warned they would bear its brunt, such as Walmart and Target. Many Republican lawmakers were also worried about the impact on consumers, who would most likely see the cost of household products increase, at least initially, if the tax were implemented.

"While we have debated the pro-growth benefits of border adjustability, we appreciate that there are many unknowns associated with it and have decided to set this policy aside in order to advance tax reform," House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) wrote in a joint statement with the White House and Senate leadership on Thursday.

Notably, the statement made no mention of what might replace the provision in a reform package, effectively punting a crucial decision Republicans will eventually need to make.

The 20 percent tax on imports, known as a destination-based cash flow tax, was never a popular idea. But it was the only solution Republicans had come up with to raise enough revenue to help offset corporate tax cuts and keep the budget deficit from ballooning.

[Forty Two]

And, likely he's speaking metaphorically there.

"I might metaphorically ask him to metaphorically step outside and settle this metaphorically Aaron Burr-style," Yup. Very likely. Metaphorically speaking.

Well, you're free to believe that he really meant to have duel at 20 paces. Or, it could be a flowery way of saying that he'd take them to task. Like when someone says they are going to take someone else out to the woodshed. They don't really mean they're going to put them down like Old Yeller. But, maybe. Maybe he really means to shoot that rascally varmint at high noon.

[laklak]

Most people can't hit the broadside of a barn at 20 paces with a flintlock.

[pErvinalia]

I could if I threw the flintlock at the barn.

[Hermit]

And, likely he's speaking metaphorically there.

"I might metaphorically ask him to metaphorically step outside and settle this metaphorically Aaron Burr-style," Yup. Very likely. Metaphorically speaking.

Well, you're free to believe that he really meant to have duel at 20 paces. Or, it could be a flowery way of saying that he'd take them to task. Like when someone says they are going to take someone else out to the woodshed. They don't really mean they're going to put them down like Old Yeller. But, maybe. Maybe he really means to shoot that rascally varmint at high noon.

It most certainly was not a serious proposal, but there was nothing metaphorically about it either. Not a hint of it.

[Tero]

It's Kid Rock's Party Now: The GOP Is About Annoying Liberals, Not Conservatism
Kid Rock is not really a conservative, or even someone who pretends to be one. And that’s just fine with many Republicans.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/janecoaston/it ... .av96kB9R6

[Tero]

Republicans unable to win seats with traditional fiscal conservatism. You have to call it Big Government instead. Jesus Guns Babies and now nationalism rule.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senator-jef ... t-its-way/

Flake writes in his new book, "When we excuse on our side what we attack on the other, then we are hypocrites. If we do that as a practice, then we are corrupt. If we continually accept this conduct as elected officials, then perhaps we shouldn't be elected officials."

Asked whether he believes Republican leaders are complicit in this notion if they don't call out the president, Flake responded, "I do think so."

"The last thing you want to do is wake up every morning and see a tweet... You know, it's tough not to just say, 'I'm not going to respond,'" Flake said. "And we can't respond to everything. But there are times when you have to stand up and say, 'I'm sorry. This is wrong.'"

"There are truths that are self-evident," Flake added. "And you've got to stand up and call -- whether it's the White House or other elected officials -- to task when they're-- they're not doing what they should. And I do think that we bear the responsibility, if we're elected officials, to do that."

Flake said the 24-hour news cycle and impact of social media is, in large part, helping drive the Republican Party apart.

[Forty Two]

And, likely he's speaking metaphorically there.

"I might metaphorically ask him to metaphorically step outside and settle this metaphorically Aaron Burr-style," Yup. Very likely. Metaphorically speaking.

Well, you're free to believe that he really meant to have duel at 20 paces. Or, it could be a flowery way of saying that he'd take them to task. Like when someone says they are going to take someone else out to the woodshed. They don't really mean they're going to put them down like Old Yeller. But, maybe. Maybe he really means to shoot that rascally varmint at high noon.

It most certainly was not a serious proposal, but there was nothing metaphorically about it either. Not a hint of it.

O.k., how about hyperbole? He's saying something so extreme that isn't intended to be taken literally?

It's an idiom here in the US. Like "calling someone out" - it now means challenging someone on what they said or did to hold them accountable, but it originated in the context of dueling, when a person was called out to a duel.

Whatever figure of speech is is, it's not literally meant to convey that a duel is being sought.

[Forty Two]

It's Kid Rock's Party Now: The GOP Is About Annoying Liberals, Not Conservatism
Kid Rock is not really a conservative, or even someone who pretends to be one. And that’s just fine with many Republicans.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/janecoaston/it ... .av96kB9R6

So what?

GOP was traditionally a liberal party, and both parties had, and have, liberal and conservative wings. What's wrong with Republicans being just fine with a non-conservative? That's a good development, if more and more are free of right wing conservatism of the religious-right variety. Culturally liberal, fiscally free market capitalist would be great.

And annoying upper case L Liberals is great fun. It never becomes tiresome. The Leftists masquerading as 'liberal' deserve to be annoyed, because they are about as insufferable and pompous a bunch as one can find. Nattering nabobs and nosey parkers, the "for your own good"-ers can piss off.

[Tero]

No no, they just want to be penny pinchers. Mitch only knows that role:
http://karireport.blogspot.com/2017/07/ ... -rich.html

[Hermit]

And, likely he's speaking metaphorically there.

"I might metaphorically ask him to metaphorically step outside and settle this metaphorically Aaron Burr-style," Yup. Very likely. Metaphorically speaking.

Well, you're free to believe that he really meant to have duel at 20 paces. Or, it could be a flowery way of saying that he'd take them to task. Like when someone says they are going to take someone else out to the woodshed. They don't really mean they're going to put them down like Old Yeller. But, maybe. Maybe he really means to shoot that rascally varmint at high noon.

It most certainly was not a serious proposal, but there was nothing metaphorically about it either. Not a hint of it.

O.k., how about hyperbole? He's saying something so extreme that isn't intended to be taken literally?

Expressing the desire to "step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style" is not a metaphor. By adding the rider "“If it was a guy from south Texas" just adds a touch of sexism and by including "I might" Farenthold is cowardly hedging in case any of the female senators he blames for the Senate's failure to repeal and replace ObamaCare actually take him up on his challenge.

[Tero]

what they said

Joint Statement on Tax Reform

Today, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following joint statement on tax reform:

“For the first time in many years, the American people have elected a President and Congress that are fully committed to ensuring that ordinary Americans keep more of their hard-earned money and that our tax policies encourage employers to invest, hire, and grow. And under the leadership of President Trump, the White House and Treasury have met with over 200 members of the House and Senate and hundreds of grassroots and business groups to talk and listen to ideas about tax reform.

what it means
http://karireport.blogspot.com/2017/07/ ... -rich.html

[Forty Two]

O.k., how about hyperbole? He's saying something so extreme that isn't intended to be taken literally?

Expressing the desire to "step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style" is not a metaphor. By adding the rider "“If it was a guy from south Texas" just adds a touch of sexism and by including "I might" Farenthold is cowardly hedging in case any of the female senators he blames for the Senate's failure to repeal and replace ObamaCare actually take him up on his challenge.[/quote]

That's why I asked "how about hyperbole?" It's figurative language. He's not really, literally going to take anyone out and have a duel. He's not taking anyone to the woodshed. He's not kicking anyone's ass. He's not going to come down on anyone like a ton of bricks. Right?

I agree that metaphor is probably not the figure of speech at issue, since a metaphor is a comparison - like "all the world's a stage" - that kind of thing. So, fair enough. But, it's a non-literal, figure of speech. For Christ's sake, man. Really - you think he really means that if the Senators were men, he'd seriously demand that they step out back for a duel?

If a Senator threatens to use the nuclear option, are they going to use nuclear weapons? If Trump is "under fire" does he have to duck the bullets? What about when he "takes flak" from the press for his dopey tweets?

Democratic Maine Representative Scott Hamann Tweeted of Trump "Trump is a half-term president, at most, especially if I ever get within 10 feet of that pussy." Do you think he literally means that if Hamann gets within 10 feet of Trump, Trump's Presidency will be over?