I remember the first time I voted for Donald Trump. It felt like taking a stand — not just for a candidate, but for an idea: that America should belong to the people who built it, fought for it and love it. That our leaders should work for us, not the global elite. That the forgotten men and women of this country deserved a voice in Washington.
For eight years, I’ve been with him, because I believed in what he was doing. I still do.
But I find myself wanting something more. Putting America first has to mean more than fighting the culture war. Yes, we need to stop radical gender ideology in schools, protect women’s sports and defend parental rights. But these aren’t the only battles worth fighting. Not when Americans are struggling to afford gas, groceries and rent. Not when businesses are closing because they can’t keep their lights on.
This month, I watched Trump’s speech to Congress. I cheered when he announced the U.S. DOGE Service (which stands for Department of Government Efficiency) to rein in reckless spending. I applauded when he reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling the woke agenda. But I kept waiting to hear how he would tackle the biggest crisis we’re facing: the cost of living.
Inflation might not dominate the headlines like it did under President Joe Biden, but anyone who walks into a grocery store knows prices haven’t come down. Eggs in my area are still nearly $6 a dozen. Ground beef is pushing $7 a pound. Gas is over $4 in many states. Rents are at record highs.
Meanwhile, new tariffs are meant to strengthen American industries, but at what cost? History tells us tariffs often drive up consumer prices. Our trading partners are retaliating, and American farmers, manufacturers and small businesses could be caught in the crossfire. Some analysts warn of a stagflationary shock: rising prices paired with slow growth. That’s not the future I voted for.
What would it look like to tackle the kitchen-table issues that keep working families like mine up at night? First, unleashing U.S. energy. Trump has expanded oil and gas production, but we need more refineries, more pipelines and fewer regulations. Second, reining in reckless spending. The Federal Reserve’s rate hikes have slowed inflation, but at a painful cost, including higher mortgage rates, costlier credit card debt and more onerous borrowing costs for small businesses.
We also need smarter trade policies. I support strong policies that protect American workers, but we can’t ignore that some policies drive up consumer prices. We need to bring manufacturing home — so we’re making our own goods, controlling our own supply chains and creating better-paying jobs.
Finally, real tax relief for working families is essential. Trump’s tax cuts helped millions keep more of their hard-earned money, but we need to go further. Cut payroll taxes, provide credits for essential goods and offer business incentives to lower consumer prices. “America First” should mean every American can afford to live, work and raise a family without fear of financial ruin.
I didn’t vote for Trump three times just to hear about gender pronouns every day. I voted for him because I believed he would make my family’s life better. It’s time to make “America First” mean what it was always supposed to mean: a stronger, freer, more prosperous nation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/16/trump-economy-retirement-tariffs
