You're operating off of an observability bias. The ones who spend all day writing op-eds in the NYTimes or WSJournal are more likely to be using a thin veneer

You're operating off of an observability bias. The ones who spend all day writing op-eds in the NYTimes or WSJournal are more likely to be using a thin veneer of economics to shill for a particular policy. The ones doing actual actionable economics are publishing and working on policy in non-sexy journals you're never going to stumble across. Or working in invisible, non-controversial advisory roles. So yes... the economists spend their lives _not actually doing economics anymore_ are probably pushing politically motivated actions. Shocking! Scandal!