Actually I suspect those that have such strong beliefs that they are neutral arbiters might just be the most gaslit.In uses WRT human nature, “you” is used rhetorically. However some uses were specific to circumstances. For example, you being susceptible to gaslighting on the right. Everyone who is not suspicious of those on their own side are susceptible to gaslighting. We’re naturally suspicious of the other side. We think they’re lying before we have any facts. We also trust those on our side before we have any facts.
So. I noticed that you did not answer the question. Who was your last completely fiscally responsible choice? I ask because there aren’t any. They’ll talk about it, but they won’t do it. Instead we vote for people we think are on our side, on the most important issues.
And you, not just rhetorically “you”, sit there and blame people for voting for imperfect people, as you are forced by circumstances to do the same. In reality, every vote is a vote for least evil, which still results in some evil.
The fact that in my lifetime there has not been a fiscally responsible choice is not because of some mythical “they”. It is because not enough of the collective “we” recruit, support, fund, and get out the votes for fiscally responsible candidates.
It all goes back to my original post, the people do not demand it or they would get it. The founders understood the power of the people and gave them the tools but the people must use them…