Does anyone else ever wonder

[TNNurse]

Have there always been this many really stupid people in government??? I mean local, state and of course Congress.

[Hugin]

1. Yep, I've come to the conclusion that no...

This is a new phenomenon.

Granted, there were always uneducated people in government, but, they were willing to learn new things and grow. Plus civics was taught in the public schools.

Now willful ignorance seems to be almost a requirement.

[genxlib]

2. Here's the way I see it

There are people who don't know anything. We have long been stocked pretty well with these people.

Then there are people who know things that are wrong but they are sure that they are right. These people are far worse because it gives them false confidence to be assholes on the internet, engage in public displays of idiocy and, of course, run for office.

It doesn't happen in a vacuum. This is the result of right wing propaganda being pressed onto the American psyche for 40 years. For a while, it was at least the garden variety RW BS. But the internet has made it stupider as social media, youtube and websites has allowed the BS to metastasize into conspiracy theories and wing-nuttery.

So yes, I think your observation is spot on.

For what it is worth, I consult for a lot of local governments so I have to attend a number of City Commission meetings. It is bad out there.

[dlk]

3. The idea that opinions and feelings are the same as facts goes back to our country's beginning

This is who we've always been. Kurt Andersen does an excellent job outlining American's historical uniqueness in his book, "Fantasyland." I'd recommend it. Below is a link to Andersen's site:



[link:http://www.kurtandersen.com/fantasyland|

[stillcool]

4. I think it's a reflection of who we are

and that's frightening