Our current political waters are muddy. The U.S. is in a tricky spot right now, especially with a presidential election coming up. People are grumbling about the economy even though the numbers, like unemployment and stock market gains, don’t look so terrible. There’s a gap between what the government says and how people are actually feeling about their wallets.
Democrats have been at the steering wheel for a good chunk of recent history—12 out of the last 16 years, to be exact. They’ve been all in on things like tackling climate change, pushing electric vehicles, and going green. But this has left many ordinary Americans scratching their heads, especially when they see the cost of living going up to levels not seen in decades. These Americans are asking themselves, why are we spending so much money on these items, when we are suffering financially?
That rise in the cost of living is known as inflation. It’s what happens when you have more money chasing after the same number of goods. Right now, the government is spending way more than it’s taking in from taxes—about $2 trillion more per year. So, we’ve got inflation hitting us hard. Prices for essentials like food, gas, and healthcare are rising fast, and paychecks just aren’t keeping up. No wonder people are frustrated. They feel the American way of living is crumbling right in front of their eyes.
You can see that frustration spilling out onto the streets and into the news. Nurses, factory workers, and other everyday workers are going on strike because they can’t maintain their standard of living with the wages they’re getting. Meanwhile, the President is on TV saying inflation is getting better, but all people see are prices staying stubbornly high. For example, a family SUV costs about 30% more than it did three years ago, and a grocery store trip can sometimes feel like a luxury. Today’s high prices are hitting consumers in areas of their lives that are necessities, not luxuries.
Politicians can say all they want, but most Americans aren’t buying it. According to polls, a whopping 84% think that the current administration’s economic policies are doing more harm than good. So what’s the alternative?
Here’s where things get tricky. The Republican Party just went through a kind of internal earthquake, and nobody’s sure what they’re about anymore. Conservative Republicans are upset that their party is okay with also spending more than this country earns, but no one can agree on the best way to fix it. No politician wants to tell voters, “Hey, we need to raise your taxes,” especially in an election year.
Both parties have their talking points. Democrats say, “Let’s tax the rich,” but even if we took every penny from millionaires and billionaires, it still wouldn’t cover our national debt. Republicans talk about cutting government spending but don’t want to touch the military budget, and messing with Social Security is almost like touching a third rail—you just don’t do it if you want to survive in politics.
And over the last two decades, our priorities have changed. We’ve invested more in things like renewable energy and social programs, but now the bills are piling up. For instance, our social safety net is strained because of immigration policies that have allowed a large number of undocumented immigrants into the country because of our open border policies. Now, federal and state governments are struggling to provide services to the millions of illegals now here, leaving Americans to wonder, “What about us?”
There’s a middle ground somewhere. Maybe Democrats need to realize we can’t spend our way into a better future without some drawbacks. Maybe Republicans need to understand that cutting services isn’t the only way to fiscal health. Perhaps both sides could consider compromising—like increasing the income subjected to Social Security taxes, or making companies that outsource jobs pay more in taxes.
Debt is a huge problem, and kicking the can down the road will only make it worse for future generations. Yes, tackling this problem is going to hurt, but if we don’t, we’re setting up our kids and grandkids for a harder life. The political waters may be muddy, but it’s up to us—and our leaders—to find a way to make them clear again.