Let me ask you a question, what do think of when you hear the term Sam’s Club Republicanism? The reason I ask is that that term was coined by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and it is supposed to be very clever or appealing or something. Pawlenty uses the term as a contrast to Country Club Republicans…like George and Barbara Bush, for example. In other words, we all know why a Country Club Republican would vote for lower taxes on the highest marginal rates, and for less financial oversight and regulation. But why would some oaf that buys their sodapop and cheetos in bulk give a shit about tax shelters in the Cayman Islands and the elimination of the Estate Tax?
It’s important that Republicans get the votes of the kind of dumbasses that buy their Tyson® Mesquite Chicken Breast Fillets in 46.4 oz. bags.
In 2002, Mr. Pawlenty invented the term “Sam’s Club Republicans” to describe the voters he fears the party is losing. They most likely didn’t graduate from college, often hold socially conservative views, struggle to make ends meet, and want a government that delivers real value for their tax dollars and programs that make their lives a little easier without “getting in their face.”
This is basically a con job. Are these hard-working folks getting real value for their tax dollars in Iraq? How about in Defense contracting in general? How about in the oversight of the banking and housing industries? Who’s looking out for them if they happen to invest a little of their hard-won cash in a stock like Worldcom or Enron? Wouldn’t they maybe get a better bang for their tax dollar if half of it didn’t go to pay interest on the national debt?
Just who the fuck does Tim Pawlenty think he is fooling? Oh yeah. He’s fooling that chump he imagines loading up his cart with the 36-pack of Pringles® Original Potato Chips Singles. I hope McCain picks this clown for his veep. Fatasses for McCain. I can see it now.
“what do think of when you hear the term Sam’s Club Republicanism?”
I think of average Americans struggling to make ends meet, who want to believe they are not powerless and getting screwed by the moneyed class. I think of people who are thus willing to be told that Sam’s Club is what makes America great, that things are somehow worse in the rest of the world which must have government food lines because of the slightest regulation. Large quantities of Pringles in your closet become What Makes America Great, not a pathetic symbol of the only economic security you have.
Pringles and 64-packs of toilet paper are the new guns and religion.
But seriously… I think you’re right that it’s essentially extreme cultural pandering. Americans place wayyy to much identity emphasis on what we buy (who really gives a fuck if I shop at Costco vs Sam’s? They’re essentially identical!)… And giving people some sense of pride based on where they buy dry goods is a clever political trick, nothing more.
I’d rather be a Costco Democrat than a Walmart Republican.
Costco is one of the best retail employers in the country. They are committed to providing good treatment, a good environment, good wages, and good benefits to their employees.
Walmart, not so much.
Therefore, shopping at Costco is a good ethical choice. Shopping at Walmart, not so much.
why is everybody always hatin’ on my cheetos?
LEAVE MY CHEETOS ALOOOOONE !!!
you sure that isn’t orange packaging popcorn?
it ain’t easy bein’ cheezy
I knew that Pawlenty was gunning for VP back in May when he insisted that hemp language be removed from an omnibus bill, which he ultimately signed.