General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAffordability. Seems like the Dems finally have a hook.
Here's hoping the memo is sent to every dem, ala Gingrich, with a means to apply it to their actions.
Proof in the pudding.
Should the present office holders wait for the recently elected to start the application? No.
It could be the imprimatur we've needed to take out the divide. Eighty plus percent of us battle affordability. Doesn't matter one's allegiance.
It could be the connector to all the issues we have in common. Child care, health care, nutrition, and beyond.
Wrap our conversations on what we are doing to make life more affordable.
"It's the economy, stupid."
Fiendish Thingy
(21,479 posts)Beware the Third Way Trojan Horse that is the Abundance Agenda, youll be hearing a lot about it over the next year, if not by name, surely by concept.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/abundance-agenda-democrats/
cachukis
(3,563 posts)Affordability fits on a bumper and hits everyone.
I don't have a mailing list, but it seems like a fairly complete agenda prime mover.
leftstreet
(38,208 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)I think they are being incredibly stupid and are indulging in their own drug supply that they deal. The economy is in a delicate balance, propped up by AI capex (capital expenditures) building out data centres. Without that, half the country would already be in recession. Everything has to go perfectly for the regime to not preside over a nation-wide recession. There is a real chance that one will begin next year well in time for the midterms, if not early in the year or even sooner. There are multiple signs of a tech bubble in the market and of a K-shaped economy: strong high-end consumer spending, contraction among poorer consumers.
leftstreet
(38,208 posts)"affordable healthcare" ended being anything but
What's affordable to a person making $50k a year isn't the same for someone making $200k
I don't know the answer, but it just sounds like backsliding
WarGamer
(18,098 posts)the Party in power is always going to pay the price for inflation, affordability and such things.
cachukis
(3,563 posts)WarGamer
(18,098 posts)cachukis
(3,563 posts)of beans if not implemented.
Trump pushed an escape from from an inflation brought about by his ineptitude as a manager. Covid put this on full display.
Biden managed much, masterfully, but didn't sell it well.
Mamdani sold his ambition through improving affordability. It motivated many of the lost youth desperate for guidance.
Should the Democrats push specific policies to address child care, health care et al, and make progress, we will all, the entire country, perhaps the world, will be able to focus on bigger things like managing incoming tides, gigantic storms and the growing cycle.
Some one, notably Democrats, have the wherewithal to face these realities, that maybe even republicans have begun to become aware.
cachukis
(3,563 posts)deputy communications director says trump will discuss this next year, "affordability" is a mantra like word that Mamdani rode to a win.
The Democrats can focus on the word and accompanying programs they support, to take serious direction and application.
We live in a world of semantics and driving home a simple, unifying goal makes sense.
Trump pushed groceries and bringing down prices.
Once again, he has not delivered on his promises.
Should democrats focus on a mission to provide affordable child care, for example, nearly every one in America would be in favor. It would expand jobs and free existing workers from some anxiety and improve their contributions to their employers.
New Mexico has headed in this direction and I'm sure plans are in some folder to set the ball rolling.
How could repubs not want to support this measure? It would actually unite congress.
I say commandeer the word " affordability" and make it our goal.
Ritabert
(1,809 posts)...with some spurious shopping basket from Walmart costing less than 2024.
cachukis
(3,563 posts)at this moment. Get it on the lips of every Dem.
southmost
(831 posts)government as a collective defense from monopolies and huge corporations
LetMyPeopleVote
(172,486 posts)After Democrats scored election victories, the president started talking about affordability. Unfortunately, his assessment is rooted in nonsense.
ð° MSNBC
— The ðºð¸ Headline Bot (@us-headlines.bsky.social) 2025-11-06T18:44:29.514Z
Trump makes an overdue discovery: 'They have this new word called affordability'
â¶ MSNBC | headline in context
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-makes-overdue-discovery-new-word-called-affordability-rcna242345
The day after Democratic election victories, Trump assured the public, Affordability is our goal. That was followed by a related online rant: 2025 Thanksgiving dinner under Trump is 25% lower than 2024 Thanksgiving dinner under Biden, according to Walmart. My cost [sic] are lower than the Democrats on everything, especially oil and gas! So the Democrats [sic] affordability issue is DEAD! STOP LYING!!!
Whether the president understands this or not, Walmart lowered the cost of its Thanksgiving dinner by reducing the number of items included in the package and replacing brand-name products with value products. It was not, in other words, the result of the White Houses awesomeness.
As for the idea that the underlying issue is dead, the president seems to know better. Consider his exchange with Bret Baier during the Republicans Fox News interview Wednesday night.
Link to tweet
.......By Trumps reasoning, GOP officials and candidates have struggled because they havent talked about the cost-of-living challenges facing American consumers. That might make him feel better, but the underlying issue isnt rhetorical, its practical.
Republicans can use this new word all the time and it wont change the fact the party, with total control over federal policymaking, has failed spectacularly to address one of the key issues that elevated them to power in the first place.
Democrats scored election victories, not by mentioning affordability, but by shining a light on the GOPs substantive failures on the issue and offering an alternative.
The longer Trump fails to understand this, the more often he and his party will suffer political and electoral consequences.