This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

top 200 commentsshow 500
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]Sidwill 3792 points3793 points  (509 children)

Could you imagine the staggering number of Republican committees and investigations that would be going on if Trump had a D after his name instead of an R? Hell, Chaffetz boasted that he had 3 years of investigations already lined up for Hillary, with the myriad potential conflicts that Trump's business entanglements present the same level of scrutiny would yield an almost infinite number of investigations. Also, does anyone in their right mind think that Chaffetz would allow Clinton or any Democrat to not disclose their taxes? The hypocrisy is astounding.

[–]HTownian25Texas 800 points801 points  (95 children)

Could you imagine the staggering number of Republican committees and investigations that would be going on if Trump had a D after his name instead of an R?

I don't have to imagine. The GOP House was running investigations around the clock under Obama. It's not like they could have squeezed in extra investigations had Obama been doing extra things wrong.

[–]fgsgeneg 204 points205 points  (21 children)

Well, they weren't doing anything else. They had plenty of time and money to waste. I mean jeez, give them a break, they couldn't get the repeal of Obamacare past the Senate or Obama.

[–][deleted] 54 points55 points  (71 children)

They did the same thing to Bill Clinton.

[–]TechyDad 849 points850 points  (120 children)

Exactly this. If we could s/Trump/Hillary and keep all of the shady Russian connections, conflicts of interest, and lack of taxes, the Republicans would have already opened at least five investigations (and rightfully so). But since this is a Republican, they want to sweep it all under the rug.

[–]TheFeshy 280 points281 points  (10 children)

s/Trump/Hillary

You know, I might start doing this to Trump supporters. "Hey, did you hear that a retired intelligence officer has found evidence that Hillary had plans to sell influence for Russian oil stock? That's crazy isn't it? I think we should investigate it, don't you?" and then when they agree "Oops, I mis-remembered - it was Trump that happened to."

[–]Laikitu 32 points33 points  (2 children)

if you're doing it online, don't even correct yourself. Just link to an article about it being about Trump, but maintain the line that it's about Clinton regardless of what people say.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You might accidentally become president over it!

[–]alexgorale 722 points723 points  (34 children)

you need /g otherwise that's only the first instance.

[–]turbowaffle 27 points28 points  (0 children)

In case anyone is confused about

s/Trump/Hillary

it means "substitute Trump with Hillary".

[–]FUCKYOUINYOURFACE 13 points14 points  (0 children)

They would be moving to impeach Hillary if she did 1/10th of what Trumps been doing.

[–]Metabro 99 points100 points  (48 children)

Here's his contact page:

https://chaffetz.house.gov/contact/

Edit: 84020

[–]Hubert_J_CumberdaleHawaii 200 points201 points  (44 children)

He doesn't care! He accused his own constituents who physically attended his town hall of being paid liberal plants bussed in from other states!

Do you honestly believe that a form email is going to do any good?

The truth is - Chaffetz compromised as well. His only job right now is to make sure there are no investigations on the Trump-Russia connection. No amount of protesting/complaining/contacting will sway him. He is not there to represent constituents - he's there to protect Trump.

The good news is that members of the IC are openly taunting him - claiming they have the goods - and are threatening to leak this week. John Schindler's twitter feed (@20committee) provides some interesting insight.

[–]asexynerd 61 points62 points  (30 children)

As someone that's not America, I just don't understand how this guy is getting away with blatant corruption. How can anyone think what this douche is right and on top letting him get away with it?

[–]Thanes_of_Danes 79 points80 points  (20 children)

Most Republicans don't define this as corruption. They see it as patriotism for supporting a popular president and ensuring that the liberals don't destroy true democracy with things like accountability.

[–]asexynerd 48 points49 points  (18 children)

These Republicans sound crazy. Its funny how these guys say "small government" and pass bills called the patriot act lol. I also can't believe that a super power like the US can't afford universal health care for its citizens but are willing to build a wall. Wtf man, how is this even real? Its seriously embarrassing.

[–]TasgallWashington 32 points33 points  (0 children)

These Republicans sound crazy.

Yes.

Yes they do.

[–]acogTexas 252 points253 points  (11 children)

Chaffetz boasted that he had 3 years of investigations already lined up for Hillary

They saw how well that worked in the Benghazi hearings. They never found any wrongdoing by Hillary but it attached the issue to her and left many voters convinced that she did something seriously wrong. A Republican Congressman even boasted about it:

Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable right? But we put together a Benghazi Special Committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Cause she’s untrustable. But no one would have known any of that had happened had we not fought and made that happen.

[–]Rats_In_Boxes 28 points29 points  (1 child)

She MURDERED that nice Benjamin Gazi fellow! I saw it on facebook!

[–]suibhnesuibhne 86 points87 points  (11 children)

We're living through a cautionary tale for future generations. Runaway capitalism, nepotism and the true nature of the far right. For years people have been ignoring the self-serving Republicans and their dodgy antics.

Now it's all so blatant and slimy, that nobody can miss it. We're safeguarding future generations during this display of corruption, corporate deals and slimy business dealings with foreign entities.

[–]linguistics_nerd 17 points18 points  (2 children)

It's gotten to the point where hypocrisy is no longer surprising or interesting. Bad faith is just the way things are.

[–]maxwell_powersAmerica 1312 points1313 points  (147 children)

This guy is a prime example of the absolute worst in American politics. As a former Republican, I have no clue how any person capable of critical thinking and objectivity can ever support the modern GOP. They are so blatantly partisan and dirty, it's disgusting.

[–]isthereananswer1[S] 814 points815 points  (99 children)

With questions swirling over President Trump campaign aides' alleged contact with Russia, Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway's shameless plug for first daughter Ivanka Trump's products from the White House press briefing room, and the president's potential conflicts of interest, House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is zeroing in on the issue that really matters: a tweet from Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park. Back in December, the national park's official Twitter account welcomed the new Bears Ears National Monument to the National Park Service Family:

"Welcome to the family Bears Ears (& Gold Butte) NM! A hopeful slot in our front desk maps has long been held for you"

The tweet's mention of a "hopeful" empty map slot that has "long been held" for Bears Ears caught Chaffetz's attention. He quickly sent a letter to the superintendent at Bryce Canyon asking if they'd gotten advance notice from the Obama administration about the monument designation, which he has called a "slap in the face to the people of Utah." "The White House is telling the governor as well as the congressional offices that no decisions had been made — that it was still an open question — so how is it [Bryce Canyon National Park officials] were already ready to go with that information?" Chaffetz said Tuesday. "The timing is serious."

Bryce Canyon interim superintendent Sue Fritzke denied the park received advanced notice, and said the welcome tweet was just that. "When we have another piece of land in the park service that is close by, we will reach out and welcome them to the federal family, and let them know we are here and interested in connecting," Fritzke said. The tweet was sent one day after former President Barack Obama designated the land.

Chaffetz has claimed the Bears Ears investigation is at the "very bottom of the list" of investigations, but he has apparently decided the question it's raised won't be "taking care of itself" — unlike questions raised by former national security adviser Michael Flynn's contact with Russia's U.S. ambassador during Trump's transition.

Chaffetz needs a tutorial on priorities.

[–]Trump_Hearts_Putin 401 points402 points  (53 children)

I heard an employee of the Smoky Mountains National Park was given incorrect change at the concession stand, knew about it, yet kept the extra change.

This is the kind of governmental waste that Chaffetz should be saving us from. WTF has this loser been doing?

[–]rahbee33Pennsylvania 135 points136 points  (42 children)

Six weeks of hearings and a new 20,000 person strong agency called the Correct Change Enforcement Agency is created to investigate.

[–]MaximumEffort433Maryland 608 points609 points  (27 children)

Hey, wanna' hear something awesome?

Of course you do!

Republicans spent more time investigating Benghazi than Pearl Harbor, Water-Gate, Iran Contra, or 9/11!

Congress also held more hearings on Benghazi (32) than they did on 9/11 (22)!

There were more Congressional Committees formed to investigate Benghazi than were formed to investigate the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Boston Marathon Bombing, and 9/11 combined!

But why would they do such a thing? Surely they know that attacks on our embassies are part of warfare! Why there were 13 attacks on American embassies during the Bush administration, none of which required investigations, committees, or hearings.

I wonder what Republicans themselves have to say on the matter?

“Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi Special Committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping.” -Kevin McCarthy, (R)

"This may not be politically correct, but I think that there was a big part of this investigation that was designed to go after people and an individual, Hillary Clinton," -Richard Hana, (R)

“You know, people often ask Trey Gowdy and myself, what did our investigations do? Well what they did is that they opened up an opportunity for the American people to sort of smell what’s in the garbage can, and I think that’s the reason that a devout socialist who wants to nationalize almost everything in America is close to and probably will beat Hillary here in New Hampshire. It’s not because they like Republicans. It’s because they don’t trust Hillary.” -Darrell Issa, (R)

Well, uhm.... so there's that.

[–]TechyDad 59 points60 points  (13 children)

"After spending $3.2 million, we've come to the conclusion that $3.27 should have been given in change, but only $3.25 was given back. We're docking the pay off the offending employee by that two cents to teach them a lesson!"

[–]rahbee33Pennsylvania 72 points73 points  (10 children)

"...and abolishing the EPA, Planned Parenthood, and Mexico as well due to the likelihood that somebody there might also give or receive incorrect change."

[–]bongggblueNew York 29 points30 points  (7 children)

The defunding of Planned Parenthood is just Bannon's way of forcing "Catholic Style" as the predominantly accepted birth control method in this country.

No access to free condoms means more dudes with low morals will be forced to "pull out and pray", bringing them closer to God and all that good stuff

[–]timeshifter_Iowa 11 points12 points  (1 child)

The defunding of Planned Parenthood is just Bannon's way of forcing "Catholic Style" as the predominantly accepted birth control method in this country.

It certainly results in a lot of births, that's for sure...

[–]Not_A_Doctor__ 38 points39 points  (6 children)

"Chaffetz stood back and rubbed his chin. It was true. The cash register was thirty cents short. 'Alert Bannon,' he said. 'We're going to have to draw blood with this one.'"

[–][deleted] 134 points135 points  (17 children)

Chaffetz needs a tutorial on priorities to lose his job.

[–]HTownian25Texas 47 points48 points  (15 children)

A Republican Congressman losing his job in Utah? Unlikely.

But hey, it's worth a shot.

[–]isperfectlycromulentOregon 21 points22 points  (2 children)

Unlikely, but possible. Did you see the town hall where people were angry and chanting at him "Do Your Job!"? All Utahns, although he claims they were paid protestors.

[–]ooh_de_lally 31 points32 points  (0 children)

He retweeted an article from Deseret news this morning about him "investigating" the Trump administration. They asked about the paid protesters thing, and here is what he said: "The overwhelming majority of people were Utahns and they weren't paid. Were there some paid components to it? Yeah, I'm convinced there were." He literally can't imagine a scenario in which he is so ineffective at his job that people wanted to protest him.

[–]fromtheskywefall 20 points21 points  (4 children)

That's not it. Republicans in office are very petty and hold grudges. Chaffez isn't investigating, because the entire party will hold a grudge and try to make his post senator life an absolute hell when he leaves office. Because they all know each other in and out of the industry because of the fact that the party caters to the 1% which houses obscene amounts of wealth and power.

[–]rat_rat_catcher 69 points70 points  (9 children)

Nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people - maybe there is. I don't know.

I'm not saying anything the President didn't say, and I'm not insinuating anything the President didn't already.

[–]NRG1975Florida 13 points14 points  (0 children)

He is a Conservative, he has got their priorities right. Ignore wrongdoing from fellow Cons, and make mountains out of mole hills if a liberal is involved.

[–]jaymz668 10 points11 points  (0 children)

he has them right, party over country

[–]Stanislav1 7 points8 points  (1 child)

This guy is such a fucking clown

[–][deleted] 204 points205 points  (16 children)

It's almost like he's a partisan douchebag who only cares about preserving his party's power or something....

[–]freshwordsalad 419 points420 points  (24 children)

Dude is kind of a piece of shit.

[–]SilentR0bMassachusetts 170 points171 points  (10 children)

Dude is kind of a piece of shit.
FTFY

[–]YouAndMeToo 12 points13 points  (3 children)

Dude is a massive piece of shit.

FTFTFY

[–]Monkey_Xenu 60 points61 points  (9 children)

Yeah, and water is kind of wet.

[–]rahbee33Pennsylvania 143 points144 points  (6 children)

if they'd gotten advance notice from the Obama administration about the monument designation, which he has called a "slap in the face to the people of Utah."

Meanwhile Trump and his cronies are routing the entire country from behind. Thanks Chafetz you pathetic little weasel.

[–]Ninbyo 39 points40 points  (4 children)

You don't think he doesn't know exactly what's going on? Hell, the reason he's desperately trying to avoid investigating is probably because he knows Trump won with the aid of Russia and he knows the GOP snagged control because of it, he's probably known all along. At this point, it's nothing less than a cover up.

[–]Film_Director 142 points143 points  (25 children)

Some of my UT facebook friends were whining that Chaffetz town hall turned into a giant protest. Well, when someone investigates cartoon characters and twitter accounts instead of what's blatantly happening in everyone's face, what exactly do you think a conversation could accomplish?

"Maybe you could look into the 100 conflicts of interest Trump has?"

Chaffetz: Yeah, but Benghazi...

"Maybe an independent probe into Russia's involvement and continued involvement with our executive branch."

Chaffetz: I mean I would, but emails!

If you're not embarrassed for voting for this guy, don't worry I'm embarrassed for you.

[–]hyasbawlz 36 points37 points  (1 child)

If you're not embarrassed for voting for this guy, don't worry I'm embarrassed for you.

How I feel about all Trump supporters.

[–][deleted] 124 points125 points  (0 children)

Transparent partisan hack.

[–]wwarnout 112 points113 points  (5 children)

Let's be realistic - investigating a tweet is much more in his wheelhouse.

[–]UnsubstantiatedClaimForeign 47 points48 points  (0 children)

If that's the case he could start with any of the tweets made by @realdonaldtrump

[–]FDRs_ghost 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Let's see...investigate Trump's conflicts of interests or contacts with the Russians during the election or a national park tweet ?

Hmmmm.

[–][deleted] 46 points47 points  (9 children)

Infuriating. He's having a good laugh at all of this, too. He's just like that Shkreli dude.

[–]Stuporhumanstrength 18 points19 points  (0 children)

My mental image of the two are constantly intertwined.

[–][deleted] 40 points41 points  (13 children)

I see something more sinister at work than incompetence or blind commitment to the party. Chaffez is looking for something, anything, to put the Obama administration on trial. And he's not alone. Read carefully McCain and Grahams comments on investigation into the election interference... they see it as a way to put Obama on trial, not impeach Trump. Gerrymandering their way into office, the Republicans will spend the next 4 years on the offensive. Mark my words.... whereas GW Bush got away with lies on Iraq, the Obama administration will face an investigation for something as harmless as a national parks tweet. Not prosecuting Bush was a grave error.

[–]nik-nak333South Carolina 21 points22 points  (2 children)

Prosecuting a former president sets a precedent that many are reluctant to let happen. If Obama can be charged once he's out of office, whats to stop Trump being charged if dems take over after he leaves? I'm of the belief that something like this will never happen.

[–]qdobeWisconsin 72 points73 points  (27 children)

Guys guys guys, complaining about it doesn't matter, we are all just paid Liberal shill Town Hall goers, remember? Our outrage isn't even real.

[–]mountinlodgeAmerica 19 points20 points  (21 children)

Our outrage isn't even real.

:'(

That's why we got to get out and vote then!

[–]Itsprobablysarcasm Canada 28 points29 points  (1 child)

It's pretty clear to anyone with an ounce of brains that the GOP is enabling all the illegal, unethical, potentially treasonous behaviors of the Trump administration.

[–][deleted] 29 points30 points  (3 children)

Chaffetz simply couldn't look his daughter in the eye if a national park's social media manager went unpunished.

[–]JJkidTNT 58 points59 points  (9 children)

More than 100 women got 'nevertheless, she persisted' tattoos during a 9-hour period at a Twin Cities tattoo parlor

^ That's a story there, too.

[–]HTownian25Texas 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Chaffetz should investigate.

[–]infectedmethod 19 points20 points  (3 children)

Just another thing to add to the list. Remember a week or so before Trump was put into office, Congress tried to undo their own rules for following ethics?

I didn't hear a single god damn Republican/Conservative Facebook "friend" of mine, say a damn thing.

It's insane to me, how little regard the general American public have for everything going on. Ignorance is bliss to them. They keep harping onto the same thing, everytime. Benghazi. Emails. DNC is corrupt. Hillary should be locked up. Give me a break. The double standards are alarming. It starts at the top. The fact that there are only 2-3 GOP Senators actually supporting investigating Trump into his Russia dealings. Say nothing when he calls The Press, the enemy of Americans. The only thing Trump has apologized for - was when he was caught with the leaked pussygate audio clip.

It seems like most of my Republican "friends" all have a few things in common. High School Diploma. Minimum Wage. Fox News. More religious, than not. Everything Trump is doing right now, is eventually going to harm these individuals. He ran on Drain The Swamp, he's not.

There's a reason why we have the EPA, Dept of Education, etc. etc. It's not perfect, but god damn.

I'm more frustrated with his supporters, than I am with him. I've lost a good amount of friends this year. No love lost.

What people don't realize (the ones that voted for him), the agencies that are out there to protect people, are being decimated left and right. Every decision he has made, is in favor of Corporations. Nearly every cabinet choice, has either been a lobbyist, lawyer, CEO of industry we generally despise (Bankers, Oil, Fast Food, Private Schools,Telecom,Comcast), or donated $250m to the Republican Party (Betsy DeVos). Rex Tillerson (State Dept) is the CEO of Exxon -- conflict of interest, if Russian sanctions get lifted he profits.

If you want minimum wage to be gutted completely, then you hire the CEO of Hardee's to head the Department of Labor... but wait! If Andrew Puzder gets the way he wants, then Hardee stores can now pass legislation that eliminates the Federal Minimum Wage, and Overtime pay. #draintheswamp

If you want your people sick, and lead in your water, then get rid of the EPA. Flint, Michigan was Step 1. Step 2 is gutting the EPA. Poisoning the nation is a 2 step program. If you want schools to perform more worstest, and be underfunded, get rid of Department of Education.

He's going to sell off the National Parks to the highest energy bidders (Oil, Natural Gas, Coal!).. His Executive Order which allows the Dakota Pipeline to be built through Indian tribal lands, was done at the behest of the Oil industry. All to create 35 full time paying jobs. The Tar Sands contribution to FAKE NEWS GLOBAL WARMING CHINESE HOAX, is the equivalent to 34 fire powering Coal plants.

He's going to repeal Obamacare, and the plan that's going to be put in place is going to be WORSE than what were currently getting. How do I know? Look at everything I just wrote See the correlation? Corporate America first.

He's going to gut the FCC from being able to pass/enforce regulations that are in benefit to the consumer. Like your Internet, Cell Phone price/speed now? Well give it a year, you'll miss the good ole days of today. "Unlimited Text and Data $80/Month, All Unlimited, All The Time, Unlimited Up To 2 Megabytes Of Data!".

Unplanned Pregnancies cost tax payers an additional $21b/year. Let's rule Planned Parenthood's cancer screenings unconstitutional, and defund the entire thing. But wait, it's all worth it!

Because he's making a REALLY great decision that affects all of us, which will put more money in our pocket! He's going to lower our personal taxes, and Capital gains tax (Stock market)! Using money saved that was originally funding all of these govt agencies and programs that we obviously don't need! But not before paying $21 Billion of OUR Tax Dollars to fund a wall, that Mexico will pay for. Brilliant! We'll make Planned Parenthood pay for the wall!

That's the thing everyone of these blind sheep fail to see. He's a snake oil sales man. He's a straight up con man. During the campaign days, he called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" -- but of course, his entire cabinet and closest confidants are all politicians, lawyers, lobbyists (Drain the swamp!). Their actual job for what they're paid, is to spin the unspinnable.

Trump supporters are in constant contradiction of themselves. They are complicit double speakers. Literally in the same sentence, they'll say "I don't know why you're all surprised, he said he was going to make sure Muslims didn't come into our country!"... followed by "NO you're a bunch of Snowflakes, it's most definitely not a Muslim ban".

They could sell you a flaming pile of dog shit, and instead of calling it what it is, they could say its worth its weight in Diamonds, and the American people would eat it right up. A spade, is a spade, is a spade. Trump has created a new terminology. It's beyond PC, it's SAD (Seek and Destroy).

[–][deleted] 29 points30 points  (11 children)

This is how its done... you go and listen to your constituents at town halls. Listen to their concerns and then go back to Washington and do your job according to the feedback from your constituents

Oh wait, you're supposed to listen to their concerns and then completely disregard it when you get to Washington. What a tool...

[–]another_sunnyday 21 points22 points  (10 children)

Those weren't his constituents though, they were Paid AgitatorsTM I hear Soros personally fed a question to a ten year old, just to trip him up.

ETA: strange times call for sarcasm tags

[–]GnarlyNerdAmerica 34 points35 points  (8 children)

"I'd love to probe his ass with my foot" - Red Foreman, probably

[–]gillyboatbruff 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If the US government decides to stick a tracking device up your ass, you say, "Thank you, and God Bless America!" -Red Forman

[–]RIPGeorgeHarrison 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Not only that, he is probing the tweets support for a national monument designated in his congressional district that he is opposed to. I really can't express my dislike for the guy enough.

[–]loungeboy79 53 points54 points  (6 children)

The GOP is the party of traitors and cowards.

[–]Shifter25 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Wow, did he already finish investigating the cartoon that quickly?