| If you ask most Americans what is on their mind right now, the answer is simple: affordability. The cost of everyday life, from groceries and gas to housing and healthcare, has become the defining issue for families across the country. Inflation may have cooled from its peak, but prices are still significantly higher than they were just a few years ago. Home prices remain near record highs, putting ownership out of reach for many, while rent continues to strain household budgets. According to Gallup, inflation and the cost of living consistently rank among the top concerns for Americans, with a majority saying they are worried about their personal financial situation. Data from Pew Research Center shows similar trends, with many Americans saying their incomes are not keeping up with rising costs.
At the same time, confidence in leadership is near historic lows. Congressional approval is around 10 percent in recent Gallup tracking, President Trumpâs approval rating has dropped to 34 percent, and trust in government more broadly remains deeply eroded. Yet despite that dissatisfaction, incumbents continue to win reelection at rates exceeding 90 percent. That disconnect tells you something important. The system is not responding to what people are actually experiencing. While affordability tops the list of concerns, Washington often appears focused elsewhere. That includes partisan maneuvering like gerrymandering, political investigations and prosecutions, and internal power struggles that have little to do with lowering costs or improving economic opportunity.
The results speak for themselves. Congress has passed relatively few major pieces of legislation that directly address the core drivers of affordability. Conversations about long term economic challenges, like preparing workers for technological change, strengthening local economies, and expanding access to good paying jobs, are not getting the attention they deserve. Meanwhile, approval ratings for both Congress and national leadership remain deeply underwater, reinforcing the sense that the system is not delivering.
This is exactly why the Forward Party is focused on building something different. We are recruiting and supporting candidates who are solutions focused, grounded in their communities, and committed to listening to what voters are actually saying. That means using data, evidence, and real world experience to shape policy, not ideology or party talking points. It means prioritizing affordability, economic opportunity, and long term stability over short term political wins.
There is a better path forward, and more Americans are starting to see it. Across the country, people are stepping up to run for office, engage in their communities, and demand a system that actually reflects their lives and priorities. Change will not happen overnight, but it is already beginning. With leaders who are willing to listen, focus on real problems, and work toward practical solutions, we can build a system that delivers again. One that makes life more affordable, expands opportunity, and gives people confidence in their future.
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