Angry Americans Send Unmistakable Message
During World War II, an estimated 20 million eager Americans planted Victory Gardens. These backyard and neighborhood plots produced 40 percent of the nation's fresh vegetables at the war's peak, freeing up farm produce to feed the troops.
In 1942, the government began rationing food to make sure there was enough for the military.
My parents and grandparents were proud of the sacrifices they made on the home front. America wanted to win that war and everyone had a part to play.
Which brings us to Tuesday's disastrous midterm results.
To persuade Americans to sacrifice for a war, a president has to bring them along. Trump didn't. Worse, he didn't even try.
Yet he seemed to expect Americans to cheerfully pay $4, $5 or even $6 a gallon for gasoline because of the war he launched against Iran.
Is it any wonder an angry electorate turned on him and his party?
Trump frequently touts the strength of the economy, and he has a point. Growth is strong, inflation is down from the Biden years, wages are up, manufacturing is returning and the stock market has hit record highs.
But plenty of ordinary Americans, particularly younger ones, are struggling. And Trump, the man who famously donned an apron and worked a McDonald's drive-through during his campaign, seems oblivious.
Whatever happened to that guy flipping burgers?
Trump promised no new wars. Then he launched the war against Iran and assured Americans it would last "weeks, not months."
Six months later, we're still stalemated, peace talks have gone nowhere and Americans are paying more at the pump.
Add in the tariffs and trade war with Canada and you have a recipe for voter revolt.
Trump has a substantial list of accomplishments: permanent tax cuts, tighter border security, lower crime and drug overdoses, reduced federal bureaucracy, increased energy production and record military recruitment. He can also point to efforts to root out government fraud and expand America's strategic military presence in the Arctic.
But none of that means much to someone struggling to fill the gas tank.
Voters were angry and on Tuesday they took it out on the party in power.
A better communicator would have made the case for confronting Iran last spring. Trump would have launched modern-day versions of FDR’s “fireside chats.” He would have explained why preventing a nuclear-armed Iran mattered to the safety of their children and grandchildren. He would have acknowledged the financial pain to come, explained why he believed it was worth enduring and offered some relief, perhaps by urging governors to suspend state gas taxes.
Instead, at a campaign rally in Georgia two weeks ago, Trump said he didn't "give a damn" about criticism over high oil and gas prices.
Tone deaf doesn't begin to cover it.
On Wednesday, Trump acknowledged the war may have cost Republicans the election.
"At the same time, if I had to do it again, I'd have to do it again," he said. "You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."
Perhaps. But he needed to make that case to the American people. He failed.
Does Tuesday's blue wave mean Americans are suddenly in love with Democrats? I doubt it.
The electorate hasn't necessarily embraced the Democrats' agenda of higher taxes, gun control, open borders, expanded government and the rest of the progressive wish list. In fact, in states that elected Democrats - North Carolina and Washington - voters overwhelmingly passed conservative ballot measures.
But voters sent another, unmistakable message: They're furious.
Unfortunately, some good Republicans paid the price, including Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas, Susan Collins in Maine, John Husted in Ohio and Jen Kiggans here in Virginia's 2nd District.
The next two years promise to be a circus of congressional investigations, subpoenas, hearings and impeachment threats.
But 2028 is coming.
If radical Democrats overreach - and if history is any predictor, they will - voters will be fed up with them two years from now.
In the meantime, Trump needs to stop the belligerence and finger-pointing, end the war, get the economy moving and give Americans a reason to believe the sacrifices were worth it.
The GOP needs to regroup and retake the moral high ground.
PS: Am I sorry I voted for Trump? Hell no. Day-drunk Kamala Harris would have been a disaster and instead of 20 million illegals we’d have 50 million pillaging the country.
