Both Parties Fail to Respond to Signals in the Political Marketplace

[Valin]

Jewish World Review

Michael Barone

July 9 2021

I like to apply free market analysis to American politics. Within established laws, politicians compete for votes and are rewarded for maximizing voters' preferences. As in economics, there are sometimes market failures, but mostly the system seems to be self-regulating.

his sounds nice, but it doesn't seem to describe what's been happening over the past five or so years. Both parties seem to be ignoring voters' clear signals. Neither seems to be rationally maximizing its votes and its chances of winning presidential elections or congressional majorities.

(Snip)

Democrats have been allowing players with adolescent mindsets to determine their policies, and Republicans have been embracing a leader with adolescent behavior control problems.

It's time for the parties to grow up and pay attention to the signals and cues voters are sending them in the political marketplace.