It works the other way around as well. The left votes for social issues that upset the established cultural state, and which in the grand scheme of things will have minimal real impact (like transgender people using any specific bathroom). Social issues are a dividing force that occupies both sides of the spectrum, it's conveniently used as a means to divide and conquer. It's why most politicians will take on social issues as their political battle cry and shy away from issues that will impact financial markets. It's easier if you don't bite the hand that feeds you (wealthy donors).

> because far too many people vote against their own interest

You don't get to decide what other people's interests are, and you certainly cannot make an empirical case that the interests of all individuals would be better served by voting one way or the other. This sort of reductionism and failure to interact with people you disagree with in good faith ought to have no place on a professional forum like this.

>You don't get to decide what other people's interests are,

I absolutely can,there are far too many voters who are now upset that obamacare & the aca are the same thing and they're going to lose their health insurance.