Well, often enough we DO effective analysis, but it doesn't matter since at its core a political institution like a government is political. It acts on subjective valuations of officials and subjective valuations of the humans being governed.
Florida is a great example. We know the negative results of continuing those subsidies. The analysis is done. However, we decide to continue those policies anyway because that represents the subjective valuations we make as a country.
Keep in mind that we voters are the ones awarding those congresspeople as we actively reelect them, affirmatively going to the polls and saying, "Yes, you did a good job, have another term in office."
We don't just sit back while things happen. They don't get power unless we voters decide to stand up and give it to them.
We must remember our power and not act like we have none.... or we effectively won't.
@volkris you mean politicians award themselves the discretion to override the facts (data) with what they want to do based on some other spurious reason. (Usually money) Of course that happens. It only changes when critical mass of public opinion affects the spurious reason. You can call it “subjective valuations we make as a country,” but it’s usually much less lofty, and much much more local.