Middle America Is Paying Attention, And We Deserve Better

Forget political tribes. What we need now is leadership rooted in reality with a tent big enough to shelter us all.

I’m a former Republican who’s feeling scared and angry. There’s a feeling of depression in me that’s increasing by the day. Are you catching up on the daily news and feeling the same way?

I wish I were being dramatic, but I’m watching our future unravel in real-time, so I’ll be blunt. Our current president is a nutball.

When he announced global tariffs last week, he actually pointed back to the 1890s as a golden time in American history.

Hey, the world has changed a ton since then, Mr. President.

This administration shows no coherent sense of history and clearly has no actual plan.

Most economists deemed the formula they used to determine the tariffs a joke. It made no sense at all.

Plus, he slapped tariffs on two uninhabited islands full of seals and penguins. Not a single person lives there.

A President Without a Plan

We need some help here in the U.S. Are you with me?

Terrified is a better word for what I’m feeling. Things weren’t perfect before, but they were heading in a good direction.

Prices went up during the pandemic years, and yes, they stayed high longer than we wanted. But shortages had eased, and unemployment was down.

We entered this new Trump administration stronger than when he left office four years ago.

Nothing’s perfect, and no one party has all the answers.

But for the love of everything holy, can we please stop treating each other like enemies?

Your neighbor probably wants the same things you do: a safe, stable life and a better future for their kids and grandkids.

My husband is close to retirement, and Trump comes in swinging his wrecking ball. He quickly tanks the stock market with an unnecessary trade war. Every day, folks like us are afraid to even peek at our 401Ks. It’s like watching the future we dreamed of slowly dissolve. And we’re powerless to stop it.

There’s no reason for this kind of pain.

Everyday Folks Pay the Price

It really is starting to feel like the 1890s. Back then, the country worked beautifully for the rich and powerful. Everyone else struggled for each and every penny. Most people lived in squalor.

The Industrial Revolution and the implementation of the federal income tax came to our rescue back then. What’s gonna save us this time?

Oh, and I can practically hear the gears turning in Trump’s head as he looks for a way to end the federal income tax. Won’t his rich cronies squeal with glee while the rest of us suffer?

Trump thinks tariff money will come pouring in and fix everything. He isn’t in charge on a global level. Other countries are gonna retaliate. Bet on that.

The administration has already said to expect “some pain.” Pain for who? Not the rich. They’re doing just fine. It’s a pain for the rest of us. Many folks were already hanging on by a thread and didn’t need this economic misery.

Sick, Poor, Delusional and in Denial

And speaking of suffering, let’s talk about healthcare. We’re going to be sick — literally. With RFK Jr. out there spewing conspiracy theories, preventable childhood diseases will come roaring back.

Life expectancy has already decreased in the U.S. Now, it’ll sink even more. We already rank low in health outcomes compared to other developed nations. It’s heartbreaking to think it’ll likely get worse.

I love my country, but it’s feeling surreal and bleak here. It’s uncertain times for sure.

I’m tired of our lives being shaped by policies made by people who live in a screen silo. People who never try to see the other side. I get it, though, because I’ve been there myself.

Both the Left and the Right Fail in My Eyes

Before the Trump Times, I listened to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham daily. My son kept telling me, “Mom, it’s not that bad. They’re lying.” It took time, but his words finally sank in.

He didn’t give up on me, and I’m so grateful. I was headed for the wearing of the red MAGA hat for sure.

My stress level was through the roof. I had to turn it all off and start searching for facts instead of being spoon-fed someone else’s agenda.

Now, I limit my news, stick to factual reporting and minimal opinion. I focus on what matters for all of us and not just my political tribe.

The BBC helps me keep up with what’s going on in the rest of the world. It’s news without the noise and bias.

You and I must always be vigilant about finding the balance between extremes.

I can’t help feeling furious that more people won’t see what’s happening.

The MAGA movement isn’t a return to greatness. It’s a cult. It’s dragging us all down.

Democrats, Don’t Blow It Again

Let me be clear. The left makes me angry, too. Democrats are too wrapped up in culture wars and in Hollywood celebrity flash. They’ve forgotten that folks in middle America respond better to common sense.

They had a chance in 2024, and they blew it. Everyone knew Biden wasn’t up for another term, but the Dems waited too long to change course. That delay has come at an actual cost to the country and to the world.

Kamala Harris wasn’t my dream candidate, but I was starting to warm up to her. She felt safe compared to what the right had put forward. I liked her talk about kitchen table issues.

Then, the celebs came out to support her. Those millionaires have no idea how it is for just folks. It felt cold and less than authentic.

Kamala Harris also couldn’t entirely separate herself from Joe Biden. Loyalty is fantastic, but the stakes were unimaginably high, and she should have broken with Biden’s administration.

I’m begging you, Democrats, do not trot out Oprah again. I’m telling you, she drives away voters.

She’s not in touch with middle America. We don’t care about her favorite things. Most of us can’t afford them anyway.

We care about groceries, rent, retirement, and being able to see a doctor.

Oprah and her celebrity crew don’t speak for us. Please skip the celeb endorsements. They’re not helping you win over “the folks.”

I used to be a Republican right up until the Trump disaster began. I believed in conservative ideals, such as fiscal responsibility, strong communities, and limited and smart government.

Still yet, I believe in those things. But I don’t see any of that in the GOP today and haven’t for many years. The party I believed in is no more. I see no signs it’ll be able to break with Trumpism any time soon.

Don’t Give Us Flash, Give Us Real Leadership

So now I’m thinking the best chance we have to save this country won’t be from the right. I don’t give a rat’s patooie if they are a Democrat or an Independent. The person has to have experience, common sense, and historical literacy.

Someone who actually understands how our government is supposed to work. No Hollywood. No far-left extremes. Just someone Middle America can trust.

A governor would be ideal. Someone who’s actually governed before. Someone with a plan to do good things for all of us.

I’m ticked that the Democrats didn’t give us that in 2024. Biden again? Really? Come on. We out here in the heartland are not fools. We’ve got a clue. Don’t talk down to us like Hillary did. And don’t stir up trouble to “poke the bear” on the right, either.

Talk to us like adults. Tell us the verifiable truth. Make a long-term plan and explain it to us. None of this “I alone can fix it garbage.” Please give us the deets. Explain what you can do, and let us decide if we want to give you a chance.

Remember that big tent Democrats used to talk about? Well, people are looking for shelter right now. We’re looking for somewhere to belong.

We need shelter and hope to survive what this second Trump administration is doing to our nation and the world.

That tent of yours? It could work. I consider myself a Conservative, but if you’re a progressive, I’ll consider your tent. Times are looking dire, and I need answers.

That tent needs to be open, wide, and welcoming. Build it with humility and a laser focus on the common good. No flash is necessary, just a heaping helping of truth and details about real solutions.

No finger-pointing. No noise. Just real leadership.

Okay Democrats and Independents, the ball’s in your court. Please, get to building that tent and help us right this ship called America?