The fundamental misconception of American politics

This cartoon, taken from an Economist story, illustrates what I call "the fundamental misconception of American politics." This is the idea that "Democrats want bigger government, Republicans want smaller government." Even foreigners think this is the case.

But it's just not true. Government spending as a percentage of GDP tends to rise during Republican administrations and fall during Democratic ones. Republicans spend a lot more money on defense (and borrow most of it), while both parties tend to spend about the same amount on non-defense programs.

As long as people continue to wrongly believe the lie depicted in this cartoon, it will be difficult for America politics to move forward.