We all remember the campaign line about winning elections, “It’s the economy, stupid!” Americans are struggling. Young people today are the first generation to fare poorer than their parents. They can’t afford homes, daycare, groceries, automobiles, eggs! The average American does not have $400 available for an emergency. Independent voters flip-flop, electing one party or another depending on whether they feel that the previous administration was able to improve their lives.

Donald Trump plays on the frustrations of every-day hard working Americans. And like many authoritarians, he creates scapegoats responsible for their suffering, falsely blaming: left-wing lunatics and their out-of-control spending, wasted money supporting the sovereign right of Ukraine to defend itself from Russian invasion, illegal immigrants flooding our country with criminals; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives taking away what should be theirs.

Donald Trump sows hatred and division. And while some people think Trump is busy rooting out “waste and fraud” and making “America Great Again,” he and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, are gutting the American institutions that serve everyday folk, while making sure the wealthy and large corporations will prosper even more.

The problem is not persons of color, women, freeloaders on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Nor is it persons coming here from countries racked with violence, political persecution and poverty to seek the American dream as most all of our ancestors have.

The pain is real, but it does not come from a government following the Constitution to “promote the general welfare, secure the blessings of liberty, and establish justice.” It does not come from helping those in need. It does not come from reaching out globally to foster democracy, health and education.

The discouragement of regular hard-working people comes from the unhealthy redistribution of wealth in America over the last 50 years.

A recent study by the non-partisan Rand Corporation found that:

¯ Since 1975, $79 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90% to the top 1% in the United States.

¯ In 2023 alone, $3.9 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90% to the top 1%.

¯ $3.9 trillion would be enough to give every full-time worker in the bottom 90% a raise of $32,000/year.

¯ Working Americans have seen their share of taxable income steadily fall for 50 years.

¯ Median household income would be double what it is today if income inequality had remained the same as it was in 1975.

If the super-rich and mega-corporations paid their fair share of taxes and extended more of their profits to their workers, we could easily solve many problems.

If you don’t want:

¯ To pay higher prices due to Trump tariffs. ($6000 more for new car!)

¯ Cuts to Medicare, Social Security, Education, Health Care, Veterans.

¯ Tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

¯ America to relinquish its place as leader of the free world …

RESIST. Educate yourself. Vote. Call out Stefanik for betraying her constituents. Write. Mobilize. Elect Democrats.

Peggy Wiltberger

Saranac Lake