It’s a little over a month before the 2026 midterm election. Early voting has started in many places. All the member candidates supported by Kane County Democratic Women are working at full speed, pulling out all the stops in their campaign efforts to win countywide across northern, southern, and central districts.
As Americans, this is a pivotal moment in our shared democratic values, in the rule of law, and in our humanity about who we are as a people. And every day we hope that our Constitution will stand firm in the face of the constant chaos devised in Washington to distract citizens from what is really occurring.
Many Americans are suffering, feeling the bruising economic pain under the weight of Trump’s executive orders, his policies, and his leadership. Our nation is $40 trillion dollars in national debt, a figure so staggering that there is real fear of economic collapse. Very few can ill afford the $5.00 plus per gallon of gas, while farmers are paying over $6.50 per gallon for diesel. These prices are only a part of a budget bucket of woes.
Consider also the economic engine of global markets that swing up and down and the portfolios of everyday workers, hoping their savings will bounce back in time for their long-awaited retirement.
The federal government is not thinking about the welfare of its people, and many are beginning to see that the government is not concerned about making make life better for the average person. The hike in interest rates announced last week means mortgages, cars, and businesses are going to pay more for credit. And for the wage earner trying to make it from one paycheck to the next, it means paying down a credit card is going to take longer and may seem impossible. America’s farmers are being squeezed by higher diesel and fertilizer costs, leading to higher prices at the grocery store. Everywhere, in every sector of society, lives are being shaped by the costs people can no longer afford. The federal government is not focused on its people. Do you hear the rumblings and the voices of discontent?
It has been said that misery loves company, and the news shows us global discontent and misery. From Venezuela to Iran, there is chaos. Conflict is taking a worldwide toll. Congress did not authorize the war with Iran, which has cost taxpayers over $36 billion so far and dwindled U.S. military stockpiles. The war has exacerbated the readiness of our armed forces and is making our nation less safe at home and abroad. Yet while America suffers, those in leadership hope the average citizen is not paying attention, insisting that Americans should not believe what they see. Instead, the country’s leaders want Americans to believe the government’s excuses and promises for a solution. And to add insult to injury, the politicians in control want Americans to give them another chance so they can keep doing what they have been doing.
Isn’t it ironic that while millions of dollars are spent on gilded construction projects in Washington, low-income families and young people out of school can’t find housing in America? However, housing units sit empty. For the poor with annual incomes of $16K for a single-person household – or 30 percent of the median income – only 4 million affordable rental units are available for the country’s 11 million extremely low-income household renters. Where is the priority to make life better for the working poor? (Rush, C. 2026, September 10. Associated Press).
Winter is around the corner. Our neighbors, low-income families, and the homeless are buying less food so they can afford housing. They need supplements for healthcare and programs like SNAP. They need a helping hand from generous neighbors who can donate food. Most of all, they need a government who cares about all of its citizens.
It’s up to voters to take a stand and vote for change. Early voting started in Kane County September 24th. Make a plan to vote as soon as you can.