Recently, a clip surfaced that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who proudly claims to hold a PhD, found herself in the hot seat when she was asked a simple question: Who was the president during World War I? Much to everyone’s surprise, she had no clue. The answer, which many might memorize in their elementary school history classes, is Woodrow Wilson. This amusing exchange was laced with laughter from the audience, but underneath, it leaves one questioning how well politicians grasp history, particularly those on the left.
History has a peculiar way of repeating itself; perhaps this ignorance is why some modern Democrats hurl accusations of fascism and Nazism at their political opponents. It’s essential to understand history to make sense of current events, and it seems some members of Congress might want to brush up on their civics. The congresswoman’s inability to recognize Wilson as our commander-in-chief during a monumental global conflict serves as a reminder that perhaps they should look inward before casting stones.
This isn’t the first instance of historical misunderstanding in political circles. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has previously confused World War II facts, claiming that the Alien Enemies Act was used to detain German, Japanese, and Italian immigrants. For those scoring at home, that reality check was almost as tough as reading Roman numerals. While Omar may get some leeway considering her roots in Somalia, the expectation is that Congress members should possess a fundamental grasp of American history.
Enter Dean Cain, the actor and producer who once majored in history at Princeton. He stepped in to address the situation, humorously questioning whether Democrats should pass a basic civics test before they can take a seat in Congress. Humor aside, it’s a valid proposal. If elementary schools can teach history effectively, why can’t these elected officials? Perhaps the reason Congresswoman Chu doesn’t know her presidents is because she attended a rebranded Woodrow Wilson School that dropped the name.
The conversation then takes a turn from the past to the present, where folks like Graham Platter are on the radar. Some leftists like Corbin Trent boldly claim that his presence in the Senate could elevate its morality. This raises eyebrows, especially when considering Platter’s past associations, including a controversial tattoo. One might think that the term “morality” would be clearer, yet it gets muddled in the current political arena.
The juxtaposition of these events showcases a broader disconnect. While those on the left accuse conservatives of racism or bigotry, they overlook their own inconsistencies, even supporting candidates who might have questionable pasts. It seems that truth has become subjective in politics—convenient facts are conveniently ignored when they don’t fit a narrative. So as the political theater continues to unfold, one can only hope that Congress pairs its commitment to progress with a re-evaluation of historical knowledge. Otherwise, they may find themselves in a pie-eating contest they never signed up for.
