[antonvs]

Sadly, that is entirely serious.

Arguably, that's the whole of politics: why should I give you something if you don't give me something?

The people involved are, generally, not deep thinkers, aren't aren't thinking much beyond their direct short-term advantage. The system selects against that.

[kjkjadksj]

No, the system selects for people who are brilliant for using it to maximize their own individual benefit. Never take the bait that these people are in anyway stupid.

[estomagordo]

Maybe that is the whole of politics in America then.