General Discussion

AStern

(464 posts) Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:22 PM Jul 17

What exactly are "kitchen table issues" and why is it suddenly the buzzword of the moment?

Was this always part of the conversation, but only now getting attention? Or is it just finally being prioritized after years of being sidelined?

Honestly, it feels like the media has spent far more time amplifying wedge issues like bathrooms, books, culture war bait rather than focusing on what most people actually care about day to day. And to be clear, that noise didn’t come from Democratic candidates, but from the right-wing outrage machine and the corporate press that ran with it.

Maybe we're finally seeing a pivot back to what matters. Thoughts?

5 replies

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What exactly are "kitchen table issues" and why is it suddenly the buzzword of the moment? (Original Post) AStern Jul 17 OP

The media is definitely part of the problem but not just the right. everyonematters Jul 17 #1

Nope. Establishment Dems were caught flat footed LuvLoogie Jul 17 #2

Sounds like another vague , bs media / billionaire MW67 Jul 17 #3

Phrase has been around a long time. Definition here: emulatorloo Jul 17 #4

The phrase has been around forever & is nothing new at all. It refers to concerns grownups talk about... Hekate Jul 17 #5

everyonematters

(3,879 posts)

1. The media is definitely part of the problem but not just the right.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:40 PM

Jul 17

How often does MSNBC talk about all the people who are struggling to make ends meet? They will talk about Trump's abuses and missteps but not that. That would make the corporate sponsors nervous. That influences the base. It tends to make the party more like a fan club.

LuvLoogie

(8,170 posts)

2. Nope. Establishment Dems were caught flat footed

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:55 PM

Jul 17

and they're grabbing a blankie.

MW67

(40 posts)

3. Sounds like another vague , bs media / billionaire

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:10 PM

Jul 17

Concocted term for a class of people more than a real issue , some new speak to get the serfs to feel
understood, think billionaires experience " kitchen table issues ' as they jet over " flyover country " ?

emulatorloo

(46,068 posts)

4. Phrase has been around a long time. Definition here:

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:11 PM

Jul 17

Kitchen Table Issue
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/kitchen+table+issue

kitchen-table issue
An issue or problem that directly affects individual people and their families on a daily basis. Used primarily in relation to politics.

Hekate

(98,677 posts)

5. The phrase has been around forever & is nothing new at all. It refers to concerns grownups talk about...

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:24 PM

Jul 17

…”around the kitchen table” after the kids have gone to bed.

It conjures up ordinary people who have to stretch their paycheck every month, who worry about rent/mortgage, car payments/maintenance, college for the teenagers, Christmas presents for the littles, and how they can’t afford a vacation this year. Groceries and gasoline.

The phrase gets deployed every election cycle, but doesn’t disappear in between. I am in my late 70s and cannot remember a time when this catch-phrase was not used.

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