my memory is dim, but my impression is 'not really'. outside of a vague sense of token efforts that died quietly, both major parties seemingly only pushed throu

my memory is dim, but my impression is 'not really'. outside of a vague sense of token efforts that died quietly, both major parties seemingly only pushed through giveaways to various lobbies in exchange for political donation/support. it's pretty easy to slip in such small, innocuous-seeming riders without much pushback because it takes more than cursory economic knowledge and real interest to work out the first-order effect, nevermind the higher order ones, or even pick them out of huge, drab appropriations bills in the first place. there doesn't seem to be a valued constituency on the other side to push through counteracting legislation however.