I really appreciate all of the really good points raised in this article.

Sadly, I feel they are lost on most people because, it seems to me, the majority of Americans respond strongly only to very specific triggers and then they seek only the information (well let's face it, what they get is more /opinion/ than information) that confirms…and the rationalization that supports…their hindbrain's fight or flight response. If there was ever a situation where the phrase, "Don't confuse me with the facts!" applies, it is in American politics.

In other words, I think most people vote their fears and the most successful politician is the one that most effectively taps a deeply held fear in enough people to elect them. This is why I see the sound-bite trumping the argument, the flip-flops and contradictions pass unnoticed, and image without substance reign even when it flies in the face of reality. I believe this is what politicians use to get elected and exacerbates the least-worse approach to choosing our...government...um...officials (they're not what I'd call representative, and I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to call them leaders).