Remember the “low information content” voter? Well, they are a dream compared to these guys:
The High-Misinformation Content Voter
Tea Buggers spend a lot of time acquiring misinformation. To hold the beliefs they do requires a lot of work, as does maintaining those beliefs. They read things on the intertoobz (just as you are right now). They watch faux news–and sometimes even actually news-like products. They regularly vote. They disproportionately attend rallies, town halls, and even actual government meetings (e.g., school board hearings).
This post by Mike the Mad Biologist put words to some queasy feeling I’ve been having for a while – We are contending with a virulent strain of stupid.
It is hard work to believe that:
* State workers lavish pay and benefits created the current economic crisis,
* President Obama was born in Kenya,
* the wealthy are overtaxed and the poor are under-taxed,
* climate change is a hoax, and
* the Christian Theocracy envisioned by the founding father has been perverted by gay mexican liberals, [but can be restored by tearing up the Constitution they claim to venerate].
You need to be constantly shoving nonsense into your head through your eye and ear holes to believe the whacked out shit that Teabaggers believe. And yet, they are willing to put the effort in. They get off on it.
They are energetic and engaged, but apply their energy to growing more and more misinformed. Delaware’s “9-12 Patriots” exclaim:
“The challenge this generation faces is probably the greatest “crisis” since the revolution and demands bold, fearless and unwavering participation from our patriotic citizens. We all gain strength and inspiration from one another; let’s forge ahead with one voice, one vision – Protect Our Constitution!”
To that end they meet twice a month in each of Delaware’s three counties to hear from conservative intelligentsia like Dave Anderson (who is currently running to bring his brand of Christian Theocratic Teabaggery to Dover’s City Council) and renowned Climate change quack, Dr. David Legates.