According to the U.S. Statistical Survey Group, most Republicans are officially stupid.

There’s just no other explanation. Just try to explain some of the things these jokers do and say on Capitol Hill and come up with another reason besides mass ignorance.

I tolerated the Republican Congressman who thought that he should be considered lower-middle class because he made a little under $200,000 a year.

I withheld a giggle upon hearing about his colleague who hypothesized that the fall of the Roman empire was due to AIDS.

But it does make you wonder about the state of affairs in America when people like this are selected to govern our proud nation. Who is electing these guys?

I bring up these two cases not to poke fun of Republicans. Partisan politics are reprehensible to me, but it seems Republican leadership has lost touch not only with the pulse of the average American, but with this plane of reality.

Following the shameful governmental shutdown, our political leaders are dusting themselves off as they prepare for the next wave of legislative battles.

Before we get to what’s next on the Republican to-do list, it is important to note that the government work stoppage occurred in part because Newt Gingrich was miffed at being asked to use the rear door of Air Force One when returning from Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral.

He felt snubbed by President Clinton, and to “get back” at the president, did little to prevent the work stoppage, then proceeded to drop the entire blame for the shutdown in Clinton’s lap.

Why are fools like this still in office? Can’t they be impeached on grounds of absolute immaturity and placing their own personal hubris above the welfare of 800,000 government employees and American citizens? Just asking.

Republicans are claiming victory in the wake of the government work stoppage, since they passed their spending and tax-cut package that is supposed to balance the budget by 2002.

A victory for whom is in question, since important issues tied to the package such as education, Medicare, environmental regulations and tax protections for the middle class are still on the negotiating table.

The importance Republicans placed on winning the passage of this package is rather stunning, considering it was not even palpable to Republican supporters.

A recent survey revealed that 55 percent of those who voted for a Republican in the 1994 congressional election and 63 percent of people who identify themselves as conservatives say they didn’t like the package.

It is painfully obvious that the priorities of the Republican leadership are misdirected. They still swear that America will be better off by balancing the budget at the expense of vital federal services. Hopefully they will take their current notoriety into consideration when figuring out how to make their budget package work (psst, here’s a hint: cutting defense and congressional office operating budgets are a good start).

Despite the fact that several other big issues loom on the legislative horizon, Republicans are holding up their budget victory as the end-all, be-all of the 104th Congress.

House Budget Committee chairman, Rep. John Kasich, a Republican from Ohio, said that “the budget is really everything.” When asked about other issues that are pending, Kasich dismissed them, saying that asking about other issues “is like asking who else besides Babe Ruth is on the Yankees.”

How about Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly?

My point in reminding Mr. Kasich that there are more Yankees than just the Bambino is that there are more important issues besides the Republicans’ “Babe Ruth,” i.e., balancing the budget.

There is still their crime bill, mired in the Senate, that foolishly is placing the emphasis of anti-crime measures on the building of prisons. As I said last year, Republicans are practicing crime anticipation, not crime prevention.

There is also the matter of the Senate bill that will ease federal regulatory burdens, another attempt to allow corporations free reign without the need for concerns for worker safety, environmental risks, etc.

Other bills, such as anti-terrorism measures and a consideration for a presidential line-item veto, are also under scrutiny.

There is still much to be done in Washington. Let’s just hope Republicans do what’s best for America. But if recent history is any indication, it’s doubtful.

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Tim Davis is a senior from Carlisle. He is the editor of the Opinion Page.