There are at least 3 areas in politics that are tough if not impossible to change. Primarily because the system is so defined with each side dug in.

Education- Teachers unions vs. Taxpayers

Environment- Business/economy vs. govt. and protection groups.

Taxes- citizens and business vs. govt and politicians.

You almost never see any movement in any of these areas and if you do it's minor or countered by a new law that negates another one.

So politicians are just telling you what you want to hear because there is not much they can do about it.