It’s not often one reads one’s own exact thoughts in the words and thoughts of another. But it does happen, and it happened once again this week as I read the Economist’s “leader,” The right Republican.  The article makes it demoralizing clear that there is absolutely nothing presidential about the Republican presidential candidates.

Why would any American even consider them for the office? Is this what so many mean when the speak of our “civilization” as being in decline? That our people would actually vote for such as these? In Iowa what “civilization” do these candidates represent? Certainly not one I want to be a part of. For the moment, anyway, they seem to represent a minority and probably won’t impose their reactionary views on the rest of us. Let’s hope so.,

The battle for the Republican presidential nomination that, as the Media would have it is beginning in Iowa, ought rather to begin here with the Economist article, or at least with the ideas expressed therein. The “battle” in Iowa is much more like a squabble in a school playground among the loudest and most ignorant of the children.

What is it about these Republican candidates that enables them to hold their extreme and revolting positions regarding so much? As in the school playground here also it must be ignorance. What are their revolting positions? Here is how the Economist summarizes them. Grab hold of something to steady yourself while reading on.

Nowadays, a candidate must believe not just some but all of the following things: that abortion should be illegal in all cases; that gay marriage must be banned even in states that want it; that the 12m illegal immigrants, even those who have lived in America for decades, must all be sent home; that the 46m people who lack health insurance have only themselves to blame; that global warming is a conspiracy; that any form of gun control is unconstitutional; that any form of tax increase must be vetoed, even if the increase is only the cancelling of an expensive and market-distorting perk; that Israel can do no wrong and the “so-called Palestinians”, to use Mr Gingrich’s term, can do no right; that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education and others whose names you do not have to remember should be abolished.

It can’t be, you say. Well it is. Cry the Beloved Country once again.