You admit that there are many low information voters, then conflate rationality with ignorant greed. Rational analysis about politics requires the ability to acquire and digest relevant information (”trivia”), to place that information in context, and judge the effects of alternative causes.
Do you honestly think those who don’t know the name of major officeholders, etc., understand political principles and issues, or consider the likely overall effects their votes portend? The ability to frame the thought “gimmedat” is indeed rational, in a debased, reptilian way. It is not equivalent to the evaluation of long-term cause and effect, or the prudent judgment that sustainable “democracy” requires.
I don’t think you need to know the name of the Vice President in order to be a rational voter.
These people do understand political principles. They have different principles than ours. They understand that voting for Democrats is a financial benefit to them. Democrats are more likely to increase welfare payments and create new welfare programs. This directly benefits poor voters, for many of them it’s a rational choice to vote for a Democrat.
I agree that many of these people aren’t thinking long term. I think it was Keynes who said in the long run we’re all dead. So I can understand why some of these people aren’t thinking long term. Let’s face it, in the history of mankind long term thinking has never been a strong suit.
Perfectly put.