Dunderheads explained

I often marvel at the sheer dunderheadedness that afflicts all too many politicians. For example, New Hampshire lawmakers tried to advance a bill would block presidential candidates from appearing on primary ballots unless they provided a birth certificate. Mercifully, it's been buried in committee and unlikely to re-emerge -- ever. Still, how could presumably smart people (Granite State Republicans in this case) advance something so patently stupid? I'll even grant that these folks are honorable and intend no malice. Still, stupid is as stupid does. But one could go mad over-thinking this malady. Perhaps the long ago maxim proffered by Sherlock Holmes writer Arthur Conan Doyle provides the best explanation: "Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself."