Republican Congressman - "Black people were better off as slaves"

Why are there so many Republicans that make really stupid, racist remarks like this?
"In this country, we had slavery for God knows how long. And now we look back on it and we say "How brave were they? What was the matter with them? You know, I can’t believe, you know, four million slaves. This is incredible." And we’re right, we’re right. We should look back on that with criticism. It is a crushing mark on America’s soul. And yet today, half of all black children are aborted. Half of all black children are aborted. Far more of the African American community is being devastated by the policies of today than were being devastated by the policies of slavery. And I think, What does it take to get us to wake up?"

That's what he said, really. You can watch the video. And people actually voted for this guy. It's beyond comprehension that anyone this stupid could get one vote, much less enough to be elected to high public office.