US GDP between April 2025 and March 2026 totalled $31.22 trillion, representing growth of 2.1%. This was a 0.7% drop from 2024. In the same period, public debt totalled $31.27 trillion. For context, putting aside the COVID-19 crash, this is the first time US debt has exceeded GDP since the Second World War. The claim that Trup has built the best economy in the world is demonstrably a joke. According to the Congressional Budget Office, debt is projected to reach 125% of GDP by 2036 and 175% by 2056. While I accept projections are guestimates, history teaches us that such estimates tend to be on the low side.
I don’t want to overcomplicate things, so let’s settle on the understanding that US debt is now exceeding revenue from what it sells both domestically and to the world. I think it's safe to say that Economics 101 suggests this isn't a good thing, and I think we can all agree on that.
Trump claimed that tariffs were the key to turbo-charging US economic prosperity. In reality, it was just an average 18% federal sales tax on consumers. The truth of the matter was, Trump inherited a healthy economy, praised by economists around the world for the fastest post-pandemic recovery of all developed nations. We can debate whether the recovery was felt by those in the middle and the bottom, but by Trump’s own measure, where he serves only the top 10%, the economy was quite literally ‘on fire’ for the shareholder class when he took over.
There was a reason the Democrats lost in 2024: it was their abject failure to listen to the millions of people who were screaming that the economic recovery had excluded them. The Trump campaign honed in on that key demographic and created a deliberate false narrative to claim (unlike Democrats who were too busy patting themselves on the back at their perceived economic achievements), Trump felt their pain and would address the affordability crisis on ‘Day one.’ It was a lie, as later became clear, but they didn’t care as long as they got the votes.
It makes me angry to even think about the schoolboy error made by Democratic strategists who thought the answer was just to tell voters to vote for Harris because her opponent was a fascist, when what voters needed to hear was that they were listening to their affordability concerns. I’m afraid Democrats have nobody to blame for the tyranny which followed but themselves, but don’t hold your breath for an apology. They preferred instead to say ‘We told you so, now look what you’ve done’. They never had the good grace to say, ‘It’s on us that we failed to deliver a coherent proposition of hope for a better tomorrow’.
Here we are two years on, and what’s the message? I eat, drink, and sleep US politics, and I still can’t see any coherent proposition other than ‘Vote for us because the other guy is a fascist’. I’m truly sorry to say NOTHING has changed, and you only have to read that comedic piece of writing, their autopsy report. I could write a whole book on this abomination of a report, but it would change nothing, as is evident from the current midterm campaign.
If you want a potted assessment of the report, you could do worse than read Robert Tait and Lauren Gambino's report in The Guardian from 21st May 2026, in which they state:
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), released the report – which fails to mention Gaza or Joe Biden’s age – accompanied by an apology to party members angered by his initial decision to keep the analysis of Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump and defeat in both houses of Congress under wraps.
The reporting goes on to state:
Misgivings about the quality and contents of the 192-page document are stated graphically at the beginning and at the top of each page in the form of a disclaimer marked in red, stating: “This document reflects the views of the author, not the DNC. The DNC was not provided with the underlying sourcing, interviews, or supporting data for many of the assertions contained herein and therefore cannot independently verify the claims presented.”
Sections thereafter are punctuated with multiple qualifiers questioning sourcing, data accuracy or a perceived lack of evidence.
I have long said that there needed to be recognition that the Democratic Party failed the American people, accompanied by an apology and a commitment to transparency moving forward. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Democratic establishment and leadership determined that they could simply sit and wait for Trump to set himself on fire, opening the door to them jumping back on the gravy train to enrich themselves and serve their own corporate donors. In other words, just more of the same old same old.
Let me be VERY CLEAR and unambiguous. How I feel about the DNC and the current Democratic leadership, along with their merry band of corporate-bought and paid-for incumbent Vichy lapdogs, is absolutely NOT how I feel about the millions of Democratic activists who spend hours holding events, speaking to voters, writing postcards and engaging on social media to advocate for a fairer, more equitable society. These dedicated Americans are the very heartbeat of social progress. It is their relentless tenacity that gives me hope every day that this tyranny will be defeated.
Equally, I appreciate the incumbent Democrats and those seeking office who are not prepared to become instruments of Israel and corporate special interests. Tragically, these good people are in the minority, and to make true progress, a revolution has to take place within the party to realign it with the core values of ‘people first’ driven politics in America.
Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix. The damage that has been done will take years to undo because this is no longer about political parties; I’m afraid it is about a systemic political rupture caused by an ocean of money, leaving democracy floating on a sea of competing special interests without a life jacket. Democratic leadership would have you believe that they have ‘turned the corner’ with voters. Shhh ….. can you hear that? Listen carefully……. That’s my belly laugh from the other side of the Atlantic. Current poll spreads show Democrats 18 points underwater.
Let’s take a look at the Republican numbers:
I accept that polls often get it wrong, but polling companies have now begun adjusting their models to better reflect public sentiment. Do I think Democrats will take the House and Senate in November? I think they will almost certainly take the House and, with it, the subpoena power to begin investigating Trump’s corruption in office. The Senate is a bigger hill to climb, but depending on the outcome of the Iran debacle, there is still a chance.
Given the way the government works, it’s understandable that the current Republican Senate Majority Leader does not want to ditch the filibuster, because once he opens that door, Republicans could find themselves in deep trouble downstream. Whichever way you look at it (and this assumes there will be free and fair elections, of which there is no guarantee), transformative change, with the current crop of corporate Democrats, is simply wishful thinking.
The reason Democrats are likely to enjoy midterm success, beyond the fact that the incumbent government almost always loses seats at this point in their tenure, is that some who are angry with Trump will vote Democrat to register a protest. As a result, Democratic leadership will do a lap of honour and claim ‘We’re back, baby!’ It’s just what politicians do. The smart people in the room will understand; it’s on them to undertake a revolution to reshape the party to meet the challenges they will still face. Once they go after Trump in hearings, which indeed they should, Trump is back to doing what he does best, playing the victim. However we might feel, it’s a gamble that could backfire.
There’s little doubt in my mind that the Democratic base and the army of Democratic activists absolutely have their finger on the pulse of America, unlike their leaders, and it will be on them to effect change, because rest assured, the Democratic establishment is more than happy to deliver more of the same. The key to making progress is understanding what voters seek from government. It’s all about framing the argument, and you can only do that if you embark on true meaningful engagement with constituents. Representation is not about sitting in Washington, working out which donor to serve next. It’s about demonstrating to constituents that THEY are your priority.
When I think about engagement, AOC always springs to mind because she has mastered not only the art of meaningful engagement, but also the art of messaging her ambition to improve the lives of those she represents. Focus on what means most to the people who have loaned their vote to you. Whether it’s supporting food pantries or early learning and child care. You could argue that she’s one of a kind. I’m sure she would argue (and she would be right) that anyone can do it if they are prepared to invest the time and expend the effort.
It has been said many times that ‘All politics is local,’ and this is absolutely true. The best currency in politics is TRUST; it’s worth more than the fickle support of any donor. If the Democratic Party is to deliver transformative change to a nation desperately in need of just that. The point I am desperately trying to make is that time is running out, and I have little to no confidence that the Democratic establishment is little more than ‘Republican lite’, and that should terrify every American. Without systemic change, democracy will wither on the vine, never to return, and social Darwinism will become the only game in town.
It’s all about building trust; it’s exactly why Zorhan Mamdani’s approach works. It’s about embracing the audacity of hope and understanding that change can only be delivered through bold ambition and a willingness to fail. It’s impossible to succeed every time, but if you believe in making the space you control better for your efforts, that’s a win for everyone.
For those who would rightly point out that a democratic socialist approach can’t be adopted everywhere, I agree, but believe me when I say Zohran Mamdani’s success comes from his ability to articulate the argument for the steps he takes. Much like AOC, he understands social media messaging and the broader media landscape. He has clearly surrounded himself with a great team, and above all, he has confidence in his own judgement and ability to succeed, and that is a powerful message to send.
Now let’s talk about James Talarico. Nobody could accuse him of being a democratic socialist, but he is the best chance Democrats have had in years to flip a Texas Senate seat. Mamdani and he are very different characters, but intriguingly, they each share a common religious belief that their maker helps define who they are as public servants. James has remained consistent in asserting that his deep faith informs his political outlook. He is a classic example of ‘All politics is local’; he’s not adopted his religious beliefs for political expediency; he’s had them all his life. If I’m honest, I am not a big fan of organised religion, but his faith does resonate with my values as it seems to do with many Texans.
Just like Mamdani, he has a great social media presence that is agile and able to capitalise on his opponent, Ken ‘corrupt’ Paxton’s, negative messaging. For example, Paxton referred to him as James ‘Talafreako’. His campaign now has a whole merch line declaring ‘I’m a Talafreako’
Yes, you can get the yard sign, the baseball cap and the bumper sticker. The point I’m trying to make is that the same old, same old campaigning won’t deliver. Of course, you can’t polish a turd, so great marketing does not a great candidate make. I think you get where I’m coming from?
I believe the Democratic Party has a deep bench of political talent that wants to deliver change; they can’t do that when their leadership won’t take them off the leash to do what they do best. What Mamdani and Talarico have proved is that if you are true to your vision and your ambition, you don’t need the endorsement of a bunch of corporate mouthpieces.
In a two-party system, there has to be an acceptance, for good or bad, the Democrats are the only game in town when it comes to delivering America from Tyranny right here, right now. Am I a fan? Not in its current iteration, but I believe that if they allow the visionaries within their ranks to lead the charge, great things can be achieved. My advice is: don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. We have to start somewhere, and that somewhere begins with taking back the House and the Senate. Once that has been achieved, the revolution can begin.
In the next episode in this series, we’re going to look at the sleight-of-hand attempts by the regime to counter the blowback from the American people on AIPAC by integrating the US and Israeli militaries. Never has there been a greater threat to US national security, and they are attempting to do it out of sight and with no oversight.
Mostly agree. Dems are Republican lite but thank the stars they are not maga lite! Vote blue
🇬🇧🇩🇰 As a half-Dane in England, I appreciate the Hans Andersen reference! But your rivetting text has me enthralled & able to grasp & understand much more. Many thanks.