[snek_case]

Another big issue is that policy is based on politicians trying to get (re)elected. Their focus is doing things that make them look good, rather than actually doing good. There isn't a ton of long-term planning because elections happen so frequently. Politicians are also often old and not educated about technology.

[mrguyorama]

There isn't a lot of long term planning because American voters do not at all reward long term planning. They also don't reward realism, honesty, generosity, capability, intelligence, etc.

American voters objectively reward hatred, fear, anger, and retribution, lying, false narratives, ignoring the past, ignoring reality, ignoring society.

It's no surprise the politicians we get.

[snek_case]

The thing is, a lot of the time, politicians make decisions that don't reflect majority opinion. They act against the will of the people... But people are forced to choose between two extremes because of the two party system. That's why less and less people are voting. They feel like politicians no longer represent them, that it's hopeless.