This GOP congressman tried to fearmonger about Biden’s agenda — but it completely backfired
Republicans can be brutally effective with their messaging, however disingenuous — from weaponizing the term "woke" (which had a very positive connotation when it originated in the African-American community) to convincing Virginia voters that critical race theory is a major threat in public schools. But sometimes, GOP messaging that's meant to inflict harm on Democrats can fall painfully flat. A case in point: Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah argued that President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda is a "socialist" attack on taxpayers — then listed everything there is to like about it.
The Utah Republican, on November 10, tweeted, "This is what the build back better plan includes. This is the socialist laundry list that your hard-earned taxpayer money is going towards."
But Twitter users reminded Stewart that the things he slammed as pork-barrel spending were common-sense items — including "Medicare hearing benefit," "in-home care access," "worker training and higher education" and "child care and universal pre-school."
There ended up being many replies to his tweet — which seemed overwhelmingly critical — than there were users "liking" the post.
This is what the build back better plan includes. This is the socialist laundry list that your hard-earned taxpayer money is going towards.pic.twitter.com/6TSUc2cthp— Chris Stewart (@Chris Stewart) 1636560304
Veteran jazz singer/saxophonist Curtis Stigers was quick to slam Stewart:
These are all really good important things that take care of human beings, you stupid piece of shit. Meanwhile your party of criminals just wants to subsidize oil companies & cut taxes for billionaires. Honestly, go fuck yourself.— Curtis Stigers (@Curtis Stigers) 1636607879
Here are some other responses to Stewart's tweet:
So you're against child care, preschool, expanded tax credits, affordable health care, elderly hearing benefits, access to in home health care, affordable housing, and increased education and worker training?— Turkey Beaver (@Turkey Beaver) 1636586395
You're right: How DARE we fund child care. \n\nA pro-life, God-fearing country would NEVER do that.\n\nIt's really rather appalling.\n\nAt Christmas, when we recall Jesus & the Holy Family having no room at the inn, I will give thanks for leaders who opposed more funding for child care— Matt Zemek (@Matt Zemek) 1636648795
God forbid Americans tax dollars are spent to benefit them rather than corporate subsidies and trillion dollar fighter jets that catch fire on the runway.— Pete Woods- now with Retsyn!\u2122 (@Pete Woods- now with Retsyn!\u2122) 1636675147
Right? My taxes WENT UP because they took my SALT deduction away. It's all we had to offset the bill.pic.twitter.com/d8emG1LoLI— Zephyr1701 RN\ud83d\udd96 (@Zephyr1701 RN\ud83d\udd96) 1636647178
Using our tax money for our benefit is socialism?\nBecause it empowers us?\nBecause it weakens the corrupt rich?\n\nIt is not socialism.\nIt is a healthy Federal Budget for a healthy strong govt.\n\nOnly the corrupt rich use the lie 'its socialism' as a scare tactic to confuse voters.— \ud83e\udd93 Lincoln \ud83d\udc89 \ud83d\udc89 Eastman (@\ud83e\udd93 Lincoln \ud83d\udc89 \ud83d\udc89 Eastman) 1636686940
The GOP is betting that their base will picture it benefitting the "wrong people," so they will think it's actually bad. But calling it socialism is an ineffective euphemism imo. They need to make a more direct connection to the "undeserving poor."— LA Resident Tourist (@LA Resident Tourist) 1636674332
Republicans said Social Security and Medicare were socialism too. They are now the most popular programs in America. They claim socialism whenever Democrats try to help regular people.— LMC (@LMC) 1636678380
