Craziest Republican of the Day: Louie Gohmert

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Gohmert gets this award a lot (e.g., here and here). But there's just no denying it: he's fucking crazy. (And a fucking idiot; see, e.g., here and here.) Here's more proof:

The House voted on Wednesday to strike the word "lunatic" from all federal laws and only one lawmaker voted against the measure: Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas). 

It was unclear initially why the Tea Party favorite opposed the change, and a Gohmert spokeswoman did not return a request for comment. The point of the bill, which cleared the Senate in May with no opposition, is to strike language from current law that contributes to the stigmatization of mental health conditions.

But during a rant on the House floor later in the day, about the need for a flat tax, Gohmert shed some light on why the word needs to stay.

"To keep spending and not pay the price, that is immoral," Gohmert said. "That's why we shouldn't eliminate the word 'lunatic.' It really has application around this town."

Right, so it's okay to keep stigmatizing those with mental health problems with a word the medical community rejects. Louie doesn't give a shit. He's got a stupid political point to make, a point that has nothing to do with the matter at hand, and darn it he'll make it even if he has to stand against his own party, the craziest among the crazy, no small feat.

Congrats, Louie! You certainly have a way of distinguishing yourself.