Not just politicians. People don't care whether policies work, they care whether they think the policies are "fair" or "the right thing to do" or "compassionate

Not just politicians. People don't care whether policies work, they care whether they think the policies are "fair" or "the right thing to do" or "compassionate", etc. They will slide into hell as long as they thought they were doing the right thing, and evidence that their policies aren't working just means that they must double down and do even more.