There was a McDonald’s in my neighborhood that we used to go to a lot when I was growing up. Each time, I read about the weekly sales that were advertised in the tent under the golden arches. Sometimes, I would ask my parents if we could stop at the McDonald’s on the corner. And each time their answer was: “Do you do you have McDonald’s money?”
There is an adult for that conversation as well. For the first time in nearly four years, property taxes less than 6%. But how many Americans have the money to buy a home right now?
Half of us struggle to pay our monthly house or rent, respectively a recent survey. More than 80% of prospective buyers said last year it was difficult to come up with a down payment and closing costs. bringing them back.
For potential homebuyers, falling mortgage rates are big news: Even just one percent can represent tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
However, when almost a quarter of Americans report a living wage for a wage earnerThe recent mortgage rate news only shows the growing disconnect between the American economy and its people. It is similar to the feeling that the Dow Jones industrial average has crossed the 50,000-point threshold where the richest 10% of Americans they own more than 90% of the shares and nearly half of private sector workers I don’t have a chance there is an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Democrats are right to point out the flaws in President Trump’s economic policies. But what laws are they putting in place to resolve the ever-growing dispute between the haves and the have-nots? Demonstrating the principles of democracy – free speech, peaceful transfer of power, due process – is the answer to what the Republicans are doing wrong. But these are not the issues that inspired the voters and returned Mr. Trump to the throne.
Trump won his second term in part because he sold a vision of the economy — and a promise to make the economy once again part of the American dream. George Washington, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson… the founding fathers were among the wealthiest men in the colonies. Yes, the American Revolution was a struggle for sovereignty. And that was not all philosophy. The American dream has always been materialistic, with wealth and ownership as the centerpiece.
Progressives these days, especially elected officials, don’t like to talk about money that way, but the reality is that protecting democracy requires more than upholding the Constitution. It involves making people feel that democracy is working for them. People will review that briefly to see if it’s hard to find and if it’s supposed to continue.
That’s one of the reasons why the Biden administration will look like nothing when it comes to the economy in 2024. Often times, the pain inflicted by the have-nots while he was in office would be met by metrics that mostly benefited the haves. Same economy, different impact. Case in point: While grocery prices have it’s been up for four years and inflation-adjusted earnings were flatcompanies pulled in a record $4 trillion in profits in the last quarter of 2024. CNN noted that the top five US-based oil and gas companies have gone inside. profit is more than 250 billion during the first three years of the Biden administration, a 160% increase compared to the same period of the Trump administration.
The US economy was breaking records at the same time it was breaking hearts.
Although Mr. Trump has advocated for this cut, since returning to the White House his policies have increased this issue. So far more than 90% of the taxes he has imposed have been paid by US consumers and US businesses. We have rising health care costs. Trump’s first year back in office was the worst for job growth in a non-recession year since 2003.
Trump certainly has a lot to answer for, and his response to the economic pain of the American people seems to be word for word the same as President Biden’s.
All of this means that Democrats have a lot to blame on Republicans during this year’s midterm elections. However, from a messaging perspective, the Democrats didn’t surprise anyone with a different platform — hence the party’s historically low approval ratings. Party leaders are continuing to talk about the struggle for democracy, sounding like law professors who are fed up with theory. Rounding out key economic policy proposals that will help workers bring in greater pay is equally important and requires a lot of party time.
Trump’s critics need to stay on message about his attacks on democracy, and true voters would rather be electing candidates based on good governance. But if you can’t save money or figure out how to buy a house before you turn 40, “good judgment” is a far cry from having money in your pocket.
The message that will be most prevalent is the one that makes voters feel that in America, you can have it all.
YouTube: @LZGrandersonShow
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The tips are presented in a nutshell
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Falling mortgage rates provide meaningful relief only to wealthy Americans while the majority of the country faces economic hardship, as nearly half of all Americans struggle to make monthly or rent payments and more than 80% of prospective buyers are unable to pay the down payment and closing.[1].
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The disconnect between economic indicators and the experience of ordinary Americans shows a major policy failure, where corporate profits and stock market gains are offset by inflation-adjusted wages, rising grocery prices, and financial insecurity affecting a quarter of Americans living on paycheck to paycheck.[1].
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Trump’s economic plan has failed to address economic inequality despite campaign promises, as US consumers and businesses have been taxed heavily while job growth remains the worst in a non-recession year since 2003.[1].
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Democrats have ignored a compelling economic message focused on rising wages and economic opportunities, instead emphasizing the principles of democracy and governance that are failing to resonate with voters facing immediate financial stress and fewer options for home ownership.
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Economic policy should prioritize making the American dream of wealth acquisition and property ownership available to working Americans rather than simply preserving democratic institutions, as voters will evaluate whether democracy works through their ability to earn basic income and build wealth.
Different opinions on the subject
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Falling mortgage rates increase access to homeownership for more than the wealthy, with a 1 percent drop in rates potentially enabling 5.5 million more households to qualify for loans, including about 1.5 million potential first-time buyers.[3].
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The housing market is showing a real improvement in housing prices and is expected to stand at 0% growth in the country in 2026, while housing prices decreased from 6.96% in January 2025 to 6.1% recently, with purchasing power increasing by $30,000 due to lower prices and rising incomes.[2][4].
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Economic conditions show signs of stabilization and recovery, with improved job growth expected in 2026 and housing market fundamentals showing promise despite recent challenges, suggesting that policy interventions are beginning to produce measurable benefits.[5].
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While middle-income affordability is still constrained with buyers able to afford only 21% of available homes, this represents progress from the recession and reflects supply-side problems rather than policy failures.[3].
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