Partisan Perceptions of the Economy (Hypothetical Feather Party)

People believe that partisanship doesn't have a negative impact on perception or society. In some way the other side just doesn't get it! (Doesn't matter the side). The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index  found that one's positive or negative look on the economy depends significantly on which party you belong and which party the president belongs. Study US Consumer Partisanship Bias. Its the same economy but much of what you believe is socially constructed. That means there is a little fact and a little fiction in people's beliefs. 

Interesting it also found that independents are more accurate in their perceptions than the two other parties. I call this anchoring. Right and Left are anchored to their party beliefs and their ideologies while independents seem to be anchored more to what they see in the environment (Makes sense as they would be independent thinkers as well). Without that bias they can see things a little clearer than others who use a heavy mental filter. We typically call this objectivity, versus black/white thinking, and it impacts almost all of our thoughts and perceptions about life. 

Now that you know that party bias can be significant we can also think about ways to limit bouncing between polar extremes in our decision making. its probably not that great for the country if the good things of one party are undone by another and then undone again. Thus to build from each others perceptions and prior works might waste less resources. Thus, one might need to think about finding a smoothing factor that eases transitions and anchors more to environmental data. 

(Thinking, thinking, thinking....)

My idea was a Feather Party made up of independents (their cognitive style) which is can agree or disagree with any ideology based on how they understand the problems at hand. This is for theoretical discussion on third party systems. A loose guide for making decisions from a science, long term strategic, evidence based decision making process that focuses on the needs of the next generation and the long term health of the nation. All parties will do this in general but they also have other objectives. Thus purely on the barebones of necessity, i.e. like running a large company/organization, might help in the overall process of choice making. 

Its a silly sort of thought experiment. I like thought experiments as they allow you to explore the possibilities. A study as presented here indicates that a stronger independent voting block with the presence of independent officials and administrators could help improve the overall accuracy of decision making. It doesn't mean anyone is all right and all wrong but that having people now swayed wholy by party affiliations can lead to balance. My suggestion at the moment, subject to change, is about 15% of the population who identified as independents would help if they could coordinate through party affiliated open discussions based on important societal questions.