When we think about politics, many of us think it's all about debates.

Arguments about things like immigration.

It's called extreme vetting.

There are children suffering in this catastrophic war.

Or perhaps we think politics is a way to achieve our economic goals.

Secretary Clinton, you're calling for a tax increase in the wealthiest Americans.

And Mr. Trump, you're calling for tax cuts for the wealthy.

I'm really calling for major jobs because the wealthy are going to create tremendous jobs.

Trickle down did not work.

It got us into the mess we were in in 2008 and 2009.

But here's the thing.

Economists, psychologists, and journalists have long noted a paradox.

Millions of Americans seem to ignore their ideologies and their economic interests

when it comes to voting.

Working class people often vote for conservatives who promise tax cuts for the wealthy.

Liberal elites, who might personally benefit from a less progressive tax code,

are often the ones arguing most strongly for higher taxes and economic safety nets.

In the 1990s, Democrats who decried the powerful taking advantage of the week

rallied behind President Bill Clinton after he was caught having an affair with an intern.

More recently, family values conservatives supported the thrice-married Donald Trump

even after he boasted about groping women.

Why do people seemingly vote against their interests and their values?

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