Where do they get these guys? U.S. Republican Congressman William Todd Akin is the latest politician to display a depth of ignorance that, unfortunately, among elected officials seems to be bottomless.
He is the guy who said that women who are victims of “legitimate rape” have the natural ability to automatically prevent the potential pregnancy.
He did not explain what those natural abilities are or what constitutes “illegitimate rape,” but as a graduate of the ultra-conservative Presbyterian Church of America’s Covenant Theological Seminary, was expressing the view of his church that women who are raped rarely get pregnant, and that therefore, if they do, the rape was not really rape.
Both the United States and Canada are filled with people of sound judgement and good character, who have a strong work ethic, high intelligence and pleasing personalities.
So why do political parties keep putting forward people like Akin who are such dimwits?
The cynical might say that it is because the political system in both countries has become so hardened along party lines, with such a rigid structure of controlled party-line voting, that they don’t really want very many elected officials to think independently; they only want bodies in seats that will robotically vote the way their party leaders say.
Canada’s track record is slightly better than the U.S. but only because our campaign contribution laws so restrict the amount spent on elections that the candidates have to take part in public forums to be heard and are therefore more easily scrutinized and questioned about their views.
Intelligence in candidates is sometimes hard to determine, of course, partly because as psychologists will tell you, there are many types of intelligence. Some people are gifted in their ability to think in a concrete, linear manner, attacking problems systematically and sequentially.
Some people are gifted in their ability to think globally, seeing multiple solutions to problems and the wide ranging implications of those solutions.
Some have the ability to think metaphorically; some perceive spatial, three-dimensional relationships far better than the average person. Some are highly sensitive to social behaviour and can perceive the emotional responses of others to a fine degree.
But surely, those within the political parties, who have the job of vetting potential candidates, can come up with a series of questions and procedures that could weed out the dim bulbs and put forward those with a range of intelligence and ability that enables them to think clearly and independently and make sound decisions on behalf of the entire electorate.
Otherwise, we will forever be stuck with Bev Odas and Herman Cains.
– Jim Holtz is WEEKENDER columnist and a former reporter for the Grand Forks Gazette
