tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354786999298607934.post3932316059102622141..comments2023-06-13T06:25:21.844-04:00Comments on Tenacious Muse: Presidential Bread and CircusesR. William Ayreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228717107253041752noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354786999298607934.post-85499194191250146462016-02-16T16:24:01.171-05:002016-02-16T16:24:01.171-05:00Wow-- I disagree with you for once. I love the Pa...Wow-- I disagree with you for once. I love the Page and Gilens research, but the change from GWB to Obama did alter important policies that were not necessarily about the accumulation of wealth and power. It sure matters to the people who now have health insurance. If GHWB and Bob Dole had won elections in the 1990's, it would matter to the gay people who would not have the right to marry. I suspect we can agree that the Iraq War does not happen if Al Gore had been president (but for a few hundred votes in Florida). Did that affect the accumulation of wealth and power? Nope. Was it hugely important for our country? Yes. It matters to people whose lungs really depend upon reasonably clean air. I think you are simply setting too high a bar with, "real change that broadly and systemically alters the direction of the country and the welfare of the population as a whole." Modest, non-systematic change, can make a huge difference in millions of lives for the better or worse. L'il Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07282692963428671643noreply@blogger.com