We have devolved, politically.

Now you know what people think who don't think

Because everybody’s triggers are different, no one can appeal to much more that a small majority regardless of what they stand for. I was involved with my Union leadership, a small company of about 70 members. It was difficult getting a consensus on our priorities and contracts even with all of us working for the same company! If you watch most elections, at least federal and the Local ones in my area, the winner seldom has more than a 10% majority, rarely that much. And with our two party system, more often than not, everyone is just settling for the candidate least offensive, certainly not one that represents all of your needs or even most.
Parliamentary systems with multiple Parties based on narrower platforms make it perhaps easier to vote for one you can actually feel more representative of your needs. But even they, once elected, have to form unions with other Parties that may not be to your liking, just to get anything done. Which is why governments around the world tend to swing wildly from left to right, sometimes peacefully, sometimes not. The verdict for which way our country changes will come this November, but regardless it will leave about half the people feeling disenfranchised.

its all about education.....since the Reagan era, school systems have scrapped civics education(probably by design)..what we are left with is a segment of our population that is completely ignorant of how governments should function and what , as citizens, our responsibilities are to our society.....unfortunately, we are paying the price for this currently with disastrous results.....RESEARCH...then vote accordingly

Most people vote on emotion. Very few vote on the facts.

It appears to be the weakest link in ‘democracy.’ If in a majority backward region, that backward majority rules.. Claiming a candidate’s values match their own is often code, or simply permission to further their social desire to oppress or discriminate.

That’s why the ‘battlegrounds’ are at the edges, or ‘swing districts.’ Those I know deep into politics don’t mess around in their own backyard - but go to work in and for such ‘swing districts.’ Enlightenment may never come to my neck of the woods…