Have Americans really forgotten the consequences of Joe Biden and the Democrats’ actions just a couple of years back? Is there a genuine desire to revisit a situation of open borders, rising crime rates, and the overwhelming presence of cancel culture?
If Republicans decide to stay home this Election Day, that’s exactly what could happen. The Democrats are pushing so-called “affordability” initiatives, but their main focus seems to be opposing Donald Trump. Why is that? Well, it’s likely because their own policies lack popularity and effectiveness. They’re aware of this.
If they regain control in Congress, the Democrats will likely spend their time undoing the advancements made under Trump regarding border security, increasing domestic energy production, and curtailing the detrimental DEI programs that Biden has put in place.
Furthermore, they will probably initiate “investigations” into Trump, recruiting Hollywood producers to capture their drama, much like they did after the events of January 6. Of course, if the GOP maintains control of the Senate, any impeachment attempts will likely falter; but Democrats, it seems, won’t worry about that.
The real question is which Republican will play the role of Liz Cheney, the anti-Trumper who turned against her party in attempts to impeach the president.
Democrats are set to spend resources on attacking Trump, as that seems to be the one unifying factor within their party. Meanwhile, voters might find themselves waiting indefinitely for solutions to the affordability crisis, a major pledge they campaigned on; because the leftist factions and moderate Democrats are bound to disagree on how to move forward.
What about Medicare for All? That’s a lofty dream, especially for union-supporting Democrats. Workers in unions like UAW or AFL-CIO are fiercely protective of their healthcare benefits. A memo from last year highlights how members, for instance, at General Motors’ Spring Hill plant, enjoy excellent plans with no premiums and minimal co-pays. Do you think the government could possibly beat that?
As for making housing affordable, the New Democrat Coalition—this group of more centrist lawmakers—aims to cut red tape and modernize zoning laws, hoping to build four million homes in the coming decade. It sounds very much like Trump’s enduring focus on reforming permit processes. They also intend to push for innovative construction technologies to speed up home production.
However, the first initiative will likely clash with environmentalists who have significantly driven up housing costs in Democrat-led states like New York and California. A study shows that only 11 states meet the criteria wherein a median-income household can afford a median-priced home. Interestingly, most of these states voted for Trump in 2024, with Iowa offering the most affordable options and New York having the least.
The second idea, while prudent, may alienate union voters concerned about job losses due to new technologies.
Energy costs are another significant issue in the upcoming election. Democrats have made promises to reduce these expenses. Again, the New Democrat coalition emphasizes the need for faster permitting to enhance energy transmission and generation capabilities. They also advocate for ensuring that energy remains “available and abundant,” which translates to reducing perceived unnecessary tax breaks for oil and gas firms and boosting funding for renewables like wind and solar. They also pledge to shield consumers from price increases associated with data centers, although that seems more like a local matter than one for Washington.
Yet the Coalition doesn’t prioritize tapping into America’s vast fossil fuel reserves, which could secure affordable energy over time. Biden’s policies severely restricted oil and gas growth, delaying lease sales and permits, raising production fees, and limiting drilling in promising regions. His administration’s war on oil, likely appeasing the green lobby, had detrimental impacts on both national security and the economy. Failing to facilitate new production, especially in Alaska, could inevitably raise oil prices, and we need to avoid that.
True, we require faster permitting to expand the electrical grid, and yes, an “all of the above” energy strategy is essential. But, those in the Left won’t consider that.
Progressives, take New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for example, believe they can make life easier by providing “free” housing, childcare, and other services. He and his contemporaries underestimate that increased government involvement usually leads to inefficiency and, quite often, higher prices. Just consider the skyrocketing tuition costs in higher education spurred by government funding—students are now burdened with debt, while the value of their degrees has diminished.
And let’s not forget, there’s no such thing as something for free. The Left proposes taxing wealthy individuals and corporations, but companies will simply pass those costs to consumers through price hikes, and affluent individuals will relocate to more favorable tax environments, as is evident with the trend in New York.
Currently, excessive government spending on entitlements has pushed our national debt to an alarming $40 trillion. Under Biden, spending surged to levels akin to what we saw during World War II, and it’s still unsustainably high. The Trump administration sought to regulate Medicaid and similar costly programs—efforts Democrats are likely to reverse—and aims to eliminate hundreds of billions lost to fraud. Although more action is necessary, Democrats show little interest in cutting expenditures.
Instead of implementing measures that could reduce our national debt, Democrats continue to propose initiatives that would inflate it further. Just think about the expected costs of Medicare for All—estimated between $25 to $35 trillion over the next decade. And that’s merely one element on their agenda.
Voters should remain aware: Democrats aren’t equipped to truly lower prices. They simply can’t.
