I wonder if these people are just plain stupid … or nefarious?

Here’s a direct quote from Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN):

“FDR applied just the opposite formula [than cutting taxes]: the Hoot-Smalley act, which was a tremendous burden on tariff restrictions. And of course trade barriers and the regulatory burden and of course tax barriers.”

Nowadays anyone with wikipedia can verify facts in about four seconds – unless you purposefully change the words. It’s tough to find anything on the internet about “Hoot-Smalley” if the real name was Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act.

And yes, that was passed by President Coolidge, a Republican. Shit, Smoot and Hawley? Also Republicans.

At least Bachmann knew that the act was a disaster. She just blamed the wrong side.

Wow. This irks me so.