Regarding ‘National Treasure’ Repubs

Bubblehead: Phil Hart is emblematic of what I call the “National Treasure Republicans”, who believe that by following a series of clues in historical documents they can find the proof they need to convince everyone that none of their money should go to people who don’t “share their values” (or appearance). Hart argues that the 16th Amendment wasn’t meant to tax wages, even though Congress, made up of essentially the same group of people who sent the amendment to the states for ratification, specifically included “wages” in their definition of income in the Revenue Act of 1913 . (Actors Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger before 2004 release of original “National Treasure” move)

Question: Why do so many people, of all political stripes, believe in governmental conspiracy theories?