Does conservatism thrive on low intelligence?

It seems superfluous to ask to this question.


Any ideology that considers evolution no more valid than "intelligent design" calls into question the intelligence of adherents to that ideology.


But, that is modern conservatism. 


A Canadian study published last month shows that "a low general intelligence in childhood predicts greater prejudice, towards people of different ethnicity or sexuality, in adulthood."


In other words, stupid is as stupid does.


Conservatives, aided by Fox News, have created an alternate reality.  


The (Manchester) Guardian columnist George Monbiot writes: "Listen to what two former Republican ideologues, David Frum and Mike Lofgren, have been saying. Frum warns that 'conservatives have built a whole alternative knowledge system, with its own facts, its own history, its own laws of economics.' The result is a 'shift to ever more extreme, ever more fantasy-based ideology' which has 'ominous real-world consequences for American society.'"


Uh, no kidding. 


It's comforting, on one hand, to see that there are some "Republican ideologues" out there with some brains. Unfortunately, they are persona non grata in the Republican ranks.


On the other hand, why do the Democrats and the media allow a "fantasy-based ideology" to dominate the political discussion in this country?


Why is contraception framed as a "freedom-of-religion" issue rather than a basic health issue?


The "fantasy-based" ideologues in Congress held a hearing this week on contraception, but would only hear testimony from religious men. Women were not allowed to testify.


Hello, anyone there?


Evidently, not.


We're living in a time of unprecedented change in the social order that Republicans do not want to acknowledge.


In the early 1950s, less than 25 percent of college graduates were women. By the late 1970s, women had surpassed men as college graduates.


For the past 25 years, the ratio has stayed fairly constant: Nearly 60 percent of all college graduates are women.


More women now graduate from law or medical school than men.


The genie is out of the bottle and she ain't going back.


The GOP has aligned itself with this pre-1950s America.


Well, it's 2012. 


Given the right-wing-nuttery on display the past few weeks, women are far more likely to vote for Barack Obama than any GOP candidate. 


Let's hope so.