Cost of living is the most important issue
Democrats must stop doing it too much.
In 2024, Donald Trump Make a simple promise: “From the first day, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.” It didn’t matter that he was lying. It didn’t matter that he had no plan. What was intended is that voters thought they had seen their pain and were going to do something –Nothing-on this subject.
This message was so effective that Trump did massive gains among the voters of the working class And even the Latinos, despite His difficulty.
Quick advance until 2025, and the Democrats always seem afraid of this lesson.
But the voters tell us what works. Just look at the upset victory of Zohran Mamdani in the primary mayor Democrat in New York. His message? Rent, free bus, free daycare, grocery store belonging to the city, higher minimum wage – all cost of living. Voters have not only heard their policies – they felt them.
Always cynical realistic, I doubt the effectiveness of a large part of this program and Mamdani’s ability to find money to implement it. The grocery store is particularly absurd; The elimination of food tax on food would be easier and more efficient. But who cares? Trump had zero Plans beyond the signaling that he cared for the main concern of voters, and Mamdani struck the same message.
It is not complicated: promising to make people’s lives better, and they will reward you.
And focus on immediate relief. Stop burying the advantages in the complicated tax code. Nobody makes their taxes and thinks: “Phew! I would have paid an additional $ 250 if the Democrats had not succeeded in this tax credit!” No, we all hate to pay taxes, even those of us who appreciate what these taxes buy.
And stop doing stupid shit like letting Trump send checks to people – with His name on them– But to be too delicate to do it When it is our turn. If someone deserves money, send them money and proudly let them know who is responsible for this money.
Devil, you know these signs that indicate Projects funded by the State? They should all include the names of politicians who voted for this. Republicans cannot be take credit for the projects against which they voted.
Give the people an immediate relief, then show them – mainly – who delivered it.
Democrats can recover their coat like the working class party. But that requires speaking in clear language, directing with advantages and cutting the Elite Wonkery This lets people feel spoken or simply confused.
There are so many things that we could do! Higher social benefits, Medicare for all, universal childcare services, universal school lunches, best food assistance, elimination of food sales tax, limitation of credit card interest rates, free community college, free public transport in metropolitan areas, prohibition of junk food, etc. These are all linked to lifestyle problems affecting our daily life, and we can provide this aid by paying it with taxes on the rich –an approach who has Large bipartisan support.
The cost of steep living is THE political battlefield. Trump tries to fight it with racist scapegoats, a weird accent on the prices and an aggressive effort to redefine reality. Democrats can offer voters a better future. And if they focus tirelessly on the supply of immediate relief – no jargon, no gadgets – they will win. Again and again.
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