There is no shame in admitting ignorance on a subject. That's different from willful ignorance, which is a refusal to acknowledge proof that one's views on a subject are incorrect.

For example, the majority of Americans have not served in the military. It wouldn't surprise me if a majority of Americans don't even know anyone who has served in the last 30 years. Those people are, quite simply, ignorant about the military and how it works. No shame in that, but it does raise questions about their knowledge and credibility when discussing military matters.

As another example, there are some who believe that raising taxes is good for the economy, despite the lack of evidence that this is true. Conversely, they're also likely to deny that cutting tax rates stimulates the economy, despite ample evidence that this is true. That's willful ignorance.

The author of the original column must be ignorant of history is shown by the following exerpt:

But I do have some modest suggestions that might provide a start for discussion: an intelligence test to earn the right to vote; a three-significantly-stupid-behaviors-and-you're-out law; fines for politicians who pander to the lowest common denominator and deportation of media representatives who perpetuate such actions.

"Intelligence tests" to earn the right to vote have been used before, primarily by racist southern Democrats to deny blacks the right to vote. Either the author is a closet racist or he is ignorant (willfully or not) of the odious history of his idea.

Further, who gets to define what "intelligence" gets tested, or what qualifies as "significantly-stupid-behaviors"? To me, believing that socialism and/or communism were good ideas, just implemented by the wrong people would qualify as a significantly stupid behavior. Believing that somehow the same government that has a decades long history of mismanagement and failure with socialized medicine (Medicare and Medicaid) for a small percentage of people can somehow get it right if given control over medical care for everyone would qualify as willful ignorance to me.