Leading in the Right Direction
President’s Corner
The Test of Trump’s Second Term
Now that the Schumer Shutdown is over and the Democrats achieved nothing but exposing their hatred for President Trump, it is time for the Republicans to get back to work improving the economy for all Americans. The success or failure of the next 10 months will determine the outcome of the midterm elections.
For all the noise around Trump’s tariffs, budget fights, and deregulation, the administration wants Americans to see a restoration of purchasing power.
Trump’s team argues that we’re too reliant on fragile supply chains, foreign manufacturing, and imported energy. Their answer, they say, is to rebuild capacity at home, even if that means short-term disruption. It’s a painful adjustment, but it’s starting to bear fruit.
The Trump Administration wants us to understand that as inflation is the symptom of global weakness, affordability is the proof of national strength. Prices fall when a nation makes what it needs again. However, consumers are still experiencing high prices for food and necessities. Grocery savings of 10% or 15% don’t offset the 40% rise of the last four years. But there’s a subtle difference in tone, a feeling that maybe, finally, we’re bending the curve in the right direction. Manufacturing payrolls are steady, and for the first time since the pandemic, more small businesses are hiring than closing. This is what Trump needs to sell his message. “We can rebuild this economy step by step.”
Trump campaigned on protecting the forgotten American worker. If voters begin to feel their paychecks stretch a little further, that promise gains credibility. If they don’t, it risks sounding like another government fantasy. That’s why the administration is racing to turn numbers into something people can feel before the next election cycle hits full speed. Their bet is that by mid-2026, enough people will feel what they’re only hearing about now. Republicans in Congress and those running for office would be wise to stay on that message. Economic nationalism has to mean a life that ordinary Americans can actually afford to live.
This is no easy fix after the terrible policies of the Biden Administration almost brought our country to the brink of collapse. Rebuilding an economy that works for workers means temporarily higher rates, tighter budgets, and short-term pain. But the idea behind it carries moral weight. Because the truth is, hope is a kind of currency too. When people believe tomorrow will cost less than today, they start to plan, save, and invest again. That optimism is what every real recovery depends on, and it’s what the Trump team is trying to revive.
If the first Trump presidency was about reclaiming sovereignty, the second is about converting that sovereignty into stability. No one is declaring victory, but there’s a sense that it may be within sight. If the “Make America Affordable Again” plan succeeds, it won’t be because of one report or one month of data. It’ll be because Americans start to believe that affordability isn’t a fluke, that it’s a goal their leaders are serious about achieving. That belief, fragile as it is, could be the most powerful economic stimulus of all. This is why the government must stay open, the Republicans must stay united, and the Democrats’ nefarious schemes must be thwarted.
Patricia Moore
Men's Breakfast Club
The "Men's Breakfast Club" meets at 8:30 AM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove.
If you are interested in a lively, morning conversation about political events and your first cup of coffee, please attend this breakfast. This is a real opportunity for some "like-minded" discussion.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Chuck Streeter - streeter@greencafe.com
PCRC Women's Luncheon
If you are looking for an informative and lively conversation among "like-minded" women and the opportunity to "talk Republican," here is your chance!
The luncheons are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Vicki Streeter at streeter@greencafe.com