In this week’s Bright America LIVE, Andrew Bates and Terry Holt joined me to discuss:
How do we rebuild faith in democracy when so many Americans feel like the system has failed them — especially at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the rent office?
The answer, as our discussion made clear, begins with one word: affordability.
Affordability Is the Unifying Concern
No matter where you live or who you vote for, the cost of living is an ever-present weight for the vast majority of Americans. Our guests shared stories about neighbors cutting back on meals, retirees moving in with adult children, and young families who simply can’t imagine ever buying a home.
Poll after poll shows that affordability consistently tops the list of voter concerns. But it’s more than an economic issue — it’s an emotional one. When bills keep rising and paychecks don’t, people start to question whether democracy itself can deliver on its promises.
That disillusionment is fertile ground for the loudest voices offering simple scapegoats and hollow guarantees of rescue. And when your financial foundation feels shaky, you’re more vulnerable to narratives that blame outsiders, stoke resentment, or promise “strongman” solutions. Our guests highlighted how this dynamic has played out in elections here and abroad.
Ignoring this pain doesn’t make it disappear — it makes it easier for demagogues to exploit.
The Power of Grounded, Empathetic Messaging
So, what do we do?
One of the most powerful insights from the conversation was that messaging must start with what people feel in their bones. Not with lofty policy goals or technocratic jargon.
We need to speak plainly about rising costs — and to acknowledge that frustration is valid. People don’t want pity. They want to know that someone sees them, respects their effort, and is willing to fight for a better system.
Our guests shared examples of local organizers who are building trust by talking first about everyday struggles — and then connecting those struggles to bigger questions about accountability, fairness, and civic power.
Hope as a Strategy
It can be tempting to focus only on the crisis. But as we discussed, hope is an underrated organizing tool.
Yes, people are frustrated. But beneath that frustration is often a desire to believe that something better is possible. A longing to feel agency again.
When we offer a clear, hopeful vision — of a country where families can thrive without working three jobs, where democracy is responsive, where communities look out for each other — we create a reason to engage instead of tuning out.
Why This Moment Matters
Affordability isn’t a distraction from defending democracy. It’s the front line.
If we want a groundswell of new people to care about protecting our institutions and our freedoms, we have to show that democracy can solve real problems.
Our guests left us with this reminder: Talk about the issues people care about most. And right now, that means the cost crisis.
Your Part
Think about your own story. How have rising costs shaped your choices, your plans, or your outlook?
Share that story. With your neighbors. On social media. With us!
When we connect around shared experiences, we create the foundation for trust, solidarity, and the resolve to build something better—together.
Thanks for watching or reading or both,
Austin
P.S.
We talked about a few columns in the video that I want to link to here for your convenience:
Biden’s Chief Economist: The Chart That Convinced Me Our Debt Is a Serious Problem (NY Times Gift Link here)
Share this post