John Boehner is Full of Crap or Stupid

Steve Benen thinks he means what he says (via Mark Thoma):

But that’s not what this is about. The House Speaker is presenting an economic vision based on fantasy, confusion, and lies. The man simply has no idea what he’s talking about.
Marcus, Bloomberg, and Chait walk through a striking list of bizarre errors of fact from Boehner. He said the economy will be worse off if the debt ceiling is raised without massive cuts. He thinks the Recovery Act “hurt” the economy. He believes the public sector is “crowding out” private investment. Boehner’s certain the economy “never” grows after a tax increase. He’s convinced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac “triggered the whole meltdown” of the U.S. financial system.
These claims aren’t just wrong; they’re ridiculous. It has nothing to do with Democrats vs. Republicans, or left vs. right. This is Boehner vs. reality.
At an almost instinctual level, the political establishment tends to strongly resist this. I more or less understandable why — considering Boehner’s rhetoric at face value, and assuming he means what he says, is almost terrifying to think Boehner is so painfully confused.
But here we are. We’re left with the discomforting fact that it appears the Speaker of the House, Congress’ most powerful official, when dealing with the nation’s most important issue, is functionally illiterate, bringing the sophistication of a slow child to the debate.

I am stunned to talk to everyday people who believe what Republicans say.  Either the Republicans are completely ignorant and blind to reality, or they are the biggest, most conscience-free shills for rich assholes who like to screw over people who aren't as lucky and crooked as them (or both).  I haven't decided which is the case, but I'm leaning more and more toward ignorant.  Ten years of tax cuts haven't helped the economy.  All the banks (especially the investment banks) are responsible for the housing boom and bust.  The stimulus stopped the economic freefall.  All of that is obvious to anyone with eyes in their head.  Arguing against this is faith-based argument.