Arthur Brooks on Episode 14 of the Remnant Podcast series with Jonah Goldberg made several interesting observations. I recommend the series, but particularly this episode.

Because of the Citizens United Ruling, super pacs grew, wielding political power that once belonged to the parties, but lacking a cohesive philosophy or the control of party leaders.  Parties remain the preferred vehicle to manage campaigns. FYI, Hillary raised substantially more from super pacs than Trump.  Even though she was not successful there remained concerns about the lack of control from the Democratic party leaders.

Nixon was forced to resign by the Republican Party leaders. Since Donald Trump owes so little to the GOP, they would have little control of an issue like Watergate if it arose today.

Those who remain concerned about the issue of money in politics may be focused on the wrong tool.  What disturbs the proper representation is not money as much as restrictive ballot access laws.  Super pacs control the money but still lack the access and thus must use the parties as their vehicles.

I would prefer the control that party leaders once had, but more open ballot access laws to allow governing ideas to compete. That super pac money could be better served.  It would also allow the evolution or the creative destruction of a political system to serve us as it does in the economy.

New parties will still struggle if they are one issue concerns. Political victory requires a coalition of sometimes incompatible interests.

Brooks also noted a political bubble, where the belief that the government can solve all problems is exposed.  It is an interesting concept, but I fail to see it.

Bubbles, per Brooks, inflate when the skeptics join the ride.  Libertarians are a smaller part of Republican ideology, even though they are almost nonexistent on the left.   Our frustrations and fears of government failure is rarely connected to government itself.  Voters prefer demons and saviors, partisan rage, and cultural identities. Neither party sees less government as a solution, even though we are seeing some semblance of deregulation under Trump.

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