Author: R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D.
As we approach the election, we need to focus on the realities of making sound choices, particularly in an environment of excessive media bias. One of the primary issues that the Democrats are focused on almost exclusively is “affordability.” Here is the main point I want to make. There is a world of difference and significance between Identifying a problem and proposing specific solutions for that problem. Anyone can easily identify a problem, but the real issue is what they are going to do about it. That should be what guides our decisions in the voting booth.
Let’s first address inflation as a symptom of affordability. Inflation is, to a large extent, caused by the massive national debt. During President Trump’s first term, the average yearly inflation was 2.46%, which historically speaking was at or near the 2.0% target of the Federal Reserve. In 2025, the first full year of his second term, the yearly inflation was 2.7%. Compare these figures to the average inflation during the Biden administration, which was about double at 5%, including a year when it was over 9%. President Trump inherited high inflation from the Biden administration and has cut it nearly in half in less than two years. Does that mean the price of most things have gone down? No, because once higher prices occur, they rarely go down. The most we can hope for is that the rate of increase is slowed. Now, while continuing to use inflation as a weapon against the Republicans, what strategies are the Democrats offering to reduce inflation? Actually, none. In fact, is it rational to trust the Democrats who gave us much higher inflation to actually be able to reduce it? Not really.
How about the price of gasoline and diesel? The price of gasoline was actually higher during most of the Biden administration. In order to fool people, Biden drained the Petroleum Reserve to flood the market and bring down the price of fuel artificially. The Petroleum Reserve was established for emergencies like war and natural disasters, not to manipulate the price of fuel! What did the Democrats actually do about gas and diesel during the Biden administration? They shut down numerous refineries, creating an inability to process crude oil into gasoline and diesel. They shut down oil pipelines, making access more expensive and limited. They implemented electric vehicle mandates, prohibited drilling on national lands, and enacted other measures to reduce fuel supplies. Are these the people you trust to lower fuel prices? Absolutely not. Also, remember that the higher prices of diesel fuel have nothing to do with the conflict with Iran and everything to do with Ukraine and Russia attacking each other’s refineries.
What about housing prices? During the Biden administration, the average cost of a new house increased from $400,000 to $500,000 an unheard-of increase of $100,000. During Trump’s first term the average price of a new home only went up by $29,000. Due to all the unwarranted spending by the Biden administration, the inflation rate drove the mortgage rates from 3.5% under Trump to over 6%. The unfettered illegal immigration under Biden, estimated to be 20 million people, increased the demand for housing, also resulting in higher prices. Is it rational to think that the Democrats will lower housing costs? Absurd.
What about taxes? The Trump administration and the Republican Congress passed the largest tax cut in modern history, including no taxes on tips, overtime and social security benefits. This has resulted in a large increase in take home pay. This tax cut was opposed by the Democrats. Which party is more likely to reduce the size of government and lower taxes? You know the answer!
What about job growth? The majority of jobs added during the Biden administration were government jobs, which of course require you the taxpayer to foot the bill. During the past few months, over 1.1 million private sector jobs were added as a result of Trump’s policies–like tariffs and returning manufacturing to this country where it belongs. The Trump administration just announced plans for a private company to build the largest steel manufacturing plant in the country in Omaha. No more depending on imports of essential items. In contrast, President Biden caused the shutdown of many manufacturing plants by putting in place excessive regulations which caused the plants to more overseas. You choose what you think is best for the country. Easy call for me.
We are in the midst of an economic boon compared to any other country; the stock market is up, and 401ks are growing instead of shrinking like under sleepy Joe. Yes, gas prices are higher than we would like. Those prices should be coming down as the Strait of Hormuz is back to pre-conflict shipping levels Do not throw the baby out with the bath water! Get out and vote to keep the economy growing. Do not turn it back to the Democrats who know nothing about economics.