One party believes in empirical evidence. The other lives in an illusion. I don't think I need to say which is which.
The right's beliefs actually do affect policy in very negative ways. Namely, their strongly Christian backing has forced many a politician to be against gay rights and abortion. Against immigration. Against climate change science.
Republicans still believe in the myth of Obama's giant stimulus, most of which were the tax cuts from the Bush administration. 50% still believe Obama wasn't born in the US. Active denial of the truth eventually convinces them otherwise. They will spread these lies through the media (Limbaugh is a prick). Universal health care is great, but I agree, Obama should be doing more and is unfortunately a politician. However, I'm banking on him being more ballsy his second term because he doesn't have to worry about re-election. He's been too soft on Wall Street as well, without a single major conviction yet, despite all the nonsense that's going on lately (like LIBOR). But to pick Romney over Obama? Romney is basically in bed with Wall Street, receiving money from the Koch brothers among others. A contortionist, he never looks comfortable.
And by the way, since Fox News is the highest rated news network and I can only conclude that most viewers that watch it are misinformed. I found it funny that Glen Beck was actually too crazy for them. And NewYorkSpur, when I said knowing about our politics, I meant knowing about how our politics REALLY work. Not in terms of the candidates and their platforms but in the knowledge that large industry controls many facets of politics. Also in terms of foreign relations. But honestly, I do think many people are deluded here, mostly thanks to religion.