Illinois is going down the tubes...probably assuming the Feds will think that state is too big to fail...and they may be right. But, a state bailout is a moral hazard. Nearby states who balance their budgets will get screwed.
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As long as their political religionist (to borrow MAS' term) team is winning elections, all is well. But as the study I cited below points out, even more important is that the other team is losing. So policies, such as fiscal responsibility are not possible unless we evolve as a society.
A viable third party would be helpful, because it would reduce the binary mindset. But I don't see it happening.
Unfortunately, I think the Iowa caucuses have set back alternative voting schemes 100 years. No one will trust them. They will just think it is a Trump or Clinton affiliated company writing the code to fix the outcome.
A return to federalism, with stronger states and a weaker national government, is easier to achieve than a third party...and that would result in less money at the national level. I know Chris thinks there is more corruption at the state level, but I think that is just because he lives in Louisiana.
Of course, as I say this, we are facing economic threat from China...and I'm not sure 50 states can win against China. It's quite a conundrum.