I'm not convinced at this point that nutcase Congressman Allen West (R-FL, of course) isn't just a product of some elaborate performance art:

Republican Rep. Allen West kicked off his Treasure Coast campaign for congressional District 18 on Sunday with a rally, during which he criticized President Obama on a variety of issues, using phrases and language guaranteed to get attention.

“He does not want you to have the self-esteem of getting up and earning and having that title of American. He’d rather you be his slave,” said West.

Obama wants you to be his slave. Oh, there's a good one. I can really see why the tea party decided to make this guy one of the faces of their movement.