How does the Republican Party do so well by never talking about the "issues"?

[Caliman73]

35. They use emotions and narrative.

The Republicans have set themselves up historically as the party that supports free enterprise and that supports "less government". It is all bullshit, but that is the accepted narrative.

They use this narrative to beat up on Democrats because we are the party that believes that Government should help people. It is easy for Republicans to point out times where Government is inefficient or seems indifferent. Ever go to the DMV? You remember the times when you had to spend long hours waiting but you don't necessarily remember when they were efficient OR that they service a hundred million people, pushing hundreds of millions of documents regularly with complex laws and regulations.

My wife and I were talking about the IRS the other day. We owe back taxes and they have been coming after us hard. We are fortunate enough to be able to hire an attorney who has helped us come to a settlement, but it has been a major process. Then when we hear about people like Bezos and Musk paying no income tax or getting a refund, or the the IRA has not gone after wealthy tax evaders because of the complexity and time it takes, we get upset.

Now my wife and I know that much of the inefficiency and the unfair practices we perceive in government are the result of intense lobbying and a lot of money changing hands, mostly with Republicans, so we would NEVER vote for Republicans, ever. The problem is that most people do not really pay attention to politics like we do, like most people on DU do. It is a lot easier for Republicans to blame "Big Government" as an idea and hang it around Democratic necks, even though they are 95% of the problem. The other 4% is just the size and scope of what government has to do and I leave 1% by Democratic politicians like Manchin and Sinema who are also captured by lobbyists.

Republicans do not want to govern. They want power. Their whole worldview is a hierarchy, a pyramid of power with Wealthy White Men at the top and everyone else below them, serving them and the status quo. They believe that this is the "Natural Order" ordained by God. To Republicans/Conservatives anything to make that happen and maintain it is fair game. That is why they have no problems cheating, offending, being hypocrites, and destroying any conventions and standards for government.