The Illusion of Progress: How Economic Policies Are Failing Everyday Americans

By Vision LEON & D. Leon Dantes

Introduction: Leadership Without Accountability

America is facing a critical moment in its economic trajectory. While political leaders celebrate policies that they claim will benefit the nation, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The current administration appears disconnected from the struggles of everyday Americans, favoring policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy while leaving the middle and lower classes to fend for themselves.

The focus of this article is not political rhetoric. This is about economic reality—understanding who truly benefits from current policies, how tariffs and economic mismanagement are impacting American lives, and what history teaches us about government accountability. More importantly, this is about finding real solutions to strengthen America’s economy, reduce inflation, and restore financial stability for the majority of its people.

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The Economic Reality of Social Classes in America

To understand who benefits from government policies, we must first break down the percentage of Americans in each social class.

• Upper Class (Top 20%): Households earning above $130,000 annually. The top 5% (earning over $290,000 annually) hold the majority of wealth and assets.
• Middle Class (Middle 60%): Households earning between $43,350 and $130,000. This group consists of professionals, skilled workers, and small business owners.
• Lower Class (Bottom 20%): Households earning below $43,350, often struggling with job insecurity, lack of savings, and limited access to healthcare.

Who benefits the most from tax cuts and economic policies? The top 1%. The latest tax plan continues the trend of reducing corporate tax burdens and high-income brackets while making minimal impact on middle-class workers and increasing costs for lower-income families.

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Who Actually Benefits from This Administration?

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was initially sold as a tax relief measure for all Americans. However, studies show that by 2027, over 83% of the tax benefits will go to the top 1% of earners. Meanwhile, middle-class households will see minimal reductions or even slight increases in their taxes due to the phasing out of deductions and tax credits.

The same is true for corporate tax cuts, which were supposed to stimulate job growth. Instead, large companies used their tax savings for stock buybacks—inflating share prices for wealthy investors rather than reinvesting in American workers.

Meanwhile, the administration continues to propose cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, and food assistance programs (SNAP), arguing that reducing government spending is necessary to control the deficit. But if tax cuts are widening the gap between rich and poor, how can slashing essential programs be the answer?

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How Tariffs Work and Their Impact on American Families

A tariff is essentially a tax on imported goods. While the government claims tariffs protect American industries, the reality is that businesses pass these costs onto consumers.

Here’s how it affects you:

• Higher Prices on Everyday Goods:
  Tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada have increased the cost of electronics, automobiles, clothing, and groceries. The middle and lower classes feel these price hikes the most.
• Job Losses in Export-Dependent Industries:
  While tariffs were intended to protect American jobs, they have led to retaliatory tariffs from other nations, making it harder for U.S. businesses to sell goods abroad. Farmers, auto manufacturers, and tech industries have all suffered.
• Stagnant Wage Growth:
  With rising costs, businesses hesitate to raise wages, meaning workers see less purchasing power even if their salaries remain unchanged.

The economic logic here is simple: trade wars do not benefit consumers. The working class suffers the most when prices rise, and businesses struggle under the burden of increased costs.

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Who Voted for Trump and Where Do They Fall in the Social Class?

Trump’s voter base has always been a mix of working-class Americans and high-income earners. In 2020:

• Over 60% of white voters without a college degree supported Trump.
• Rural communities, which are more likely to depend on industries like farming and manufacturing, heavily favored him.
• High-income business owners and corporations also supported Trump due to tax cuts and deregulation policies.

However, the irony is clear: while working-class Americans backed Trump for promises of economic revitalization, they are the ones suffering the most from his administration’s policies on tariffs, inflation, and reduced social support programs.

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Government Accountability: How Can They Justify This?

How can a government elected by the people continue to serve only those at the top?

Historically, economic policies that favor the rich do not lead to long-term national prosperity. The 1920s economic boom was driven by extreme wealth concentration, but it led to the Great Depression. The Reagan-era tax cuts of the 1980s created short-term growth but expanded the deficit and led to the recession of the early 1990s.

The fundamental issue today is lack of leadership and accountability. The government justifies these policies by promoting “trickle-down economics”, yet time and time again, it has been proven ineffective.

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The Dangers of Isolationism and Trump’s Cozy Relationship with Putin

The administration’s increasing isolation from the European Union and coziness with Russia is another concern. Trade wars with allies weaken America’s economic standing, while aligning with authoritarian regimes raises security and economic risks.

Russia and China have strengthened their economic ties, reducing reliance on the U.S. The European Union is seeking alternative trade partners. America cannot afford to push allies away while engaging in economic battles that hurt its own people.

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Solutions: How Do We Turn Things Around?

To rebuild the American economy and reduce inflation, we need policies that benefit everyone, not just the elite.

1. Tax Reform That Works for the Middle Class
   • Increase taxes on corporations that outsource jobs.
   • Close loopholes that allow billionaires to pay little or no taxes.
   • Provide tax credits for working-class families.
2. Pro-Growth Economic Policies
   • Invest in infrastructure and technology to create high-paying jobs.
   • Support small businesses instead of only large corporations.
   • Strengthen public education to create a competitive workforce.
3. Trade Policies That Help Americans
   • Negotiate fair trade agreements instead of imposing reckless tariffs.
   • Reduce dependency on China while strengthening alliances with the EU and Latin America.
   • Encourage American manufacturing through tax incentives and technology investment.
4. Reducing Inflation and the Deficit
   • Stop excessive tax cuts for the wealthy.
   • Control government spending without cutting essential services.
   • Regulate corporate price gouging to keep inflation in check.

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Conclusion: America Needs Leadership, Not Empty Promises

At this point, it’s not about Republican vs. Democrat—it’s about keeping America growing and improving. The current administration’s policies are failing real Americans. Tariffs, tax cuts for the wealthy, and reckless spending reductions are not solutions; they are symptoms of a government that has lost touch with its people.

Real leadership means making tough decisions that benefit the majority, not just the elite. It’s time for the American people to demand accountability, question their beliefs, and push for policies that create real economic stability for all.

This is not about politics. This is about the future of America.