Party politics

In our rigid two party political system there are three factors that ensure a party is elected; the economy, pork barreling and incumbency.

The party in power has very little influence on the economy but has to create the appearance of doing things that give them the credit for a good economy.

If the economy falters then they must die on this sword.

Pork barreling works to an extent but its effectiveness is largely depreciated by our media’s manic focus on deficits, and the fact that many recipients of pork barreling can’t vote (think corporations). But yet, it is one of the gifts of incumbency.

Incumbency can only be polluted by dumb decisions which unnecessarily piss off the electorate.