I am not trying to make a political statement, just an opinion that we are fickle in our political views.
Scientifically I believe the pendulum swings, once started, due to momentum and gravity, friction at the pivot, length of the arm, weight of the arm, and air resistance determines the speed of each cycle and length of time it swings until it stops. Clocks have a counter weighted mechanical assist to keep them going exactly the same for long periods of time.
The psyche of the US voting public is much like a very slow pendulum. It depends on the topic, but public opinion changes over years and decades. As an example alcohol prohibition in the 20’s to now being socially and legally acceptable! Recreational drugs are traveling down the same road. Religion, smoking, big cars versus small cars, etc. all seem to travel the pendulum. You might have gone to jail 25 years ago that today is totally legal.
There are some people that never change their opinion, and there are some that change quickly. I think the media has a huge impact on the masses: people like to be with the crowd. If we did a pareto on the distribution of where people stood on an issue, we might see a normal distribution either for, neutral or against. I guess that is the polls. Over time, depending on the marketing and the media, the masses shift.
Archimedes said , “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” Today’s political and news media use this against us every day. They find a point where they can place their fulcrum and move the masses opinions. It may not even be a critical point, just enough sensationalism to place their fulcrum. The masses follow.
There have been studies on how hard it is to state your opinion in a room where everyone is against your position. It we take a verbal yes, no vote around a room, and everyone votes no ahead of you, you are the last vote. The more people that are ahead of you increases the probability you will vote no also. I think it is 7 people ahead of you and the probability is 90% you will also vote no. We want to agree with the masses.
My point! Careful who you listen to and read, they may not be telling you the whole truth. Stop being so fickle. Use a little independent logic, list at least mentally the facts, advantages and disadvantages, consequences and rewards to you and to society. And the cost!
We are accountable for our own actions and shall reap the rewards or suffer the consequences accordingly