Two Sides of the Same Coin
- Ma-Sadio Faye
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
What is going on?
Things are inevitably changing in this country. There is a new President, Vice President, Congress, Cabinet, and new tariffs. Business is not business as usual. Democrats and Republicans have reacted oddly to the new President's policies. Mr. Trump has enjoyed an average approval rating within members of his own party, with it currently at 44%*. Both sides of the same coin—both parties—have completely accepted what this new Trump presidency will mean.
Republicans have convinced themselves into believing that they can smooth things over with the world. Many believe, yes, many— that Trump is currently destroying our relationship with the world. Besides our nuclear bombs (which nine other countries also have), America's biggest asset on the international stage is our allies: the exact same ones we've slapped with tariffs. Many democratic nations are beginning to question whether America remains a reliable partner, while domestic opposition remains muted on both sides.
Most Republicans have remained loyal to a fault. Some have expressed discontent with President Trump's policies: tariffs, to name one, his Ukraine policy (and subsequent blowup with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy), and budget cuts, to name a few. Perhaps my affinity for middle school debate makes me much more inclined to say this, but I greatly yearn for the days when parties did not move in unison, where there was a gradient of opinions across a political movement, like the Tea Party. Remember the days when Little Marco Rubio and Lyin' Ted Cruz spoke out against Trump in 2016? All of that is gone now.
Democrats seem to still believe that they still enjoy the widespread support of the working class. They don't— current statistics clearly indicate that most Americans perceive the party of blue negatively, and believe they do not have concerns like the economy high on their list. The world of politics is a public relations game, and they are losing. What is extremely troubling is their failure to present a strong counterweight to Trump’s agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer came under fire for agreeing to Trump's continuing resolution to fund the government despite holding leverage over the Republicans. Ire over his doormat-esque behavior has led to calls for him to be primaried in 2028, and it is not looking good with fellow Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading him by double-digits in polls.
Is it a useless plea to ask for some sort of action? Cory Booker's lone 25-hour stand has left the public's collective memory. Democrats have yet to fully mobilize grassroots efforts or unify behind a clear direction; there has been no unanimous decision to push toward a more progressive platform or a centrist one. In the meantime, critical opportunities to push back against Trump’s policies have been missed.
As both parties stumble, the American people are left to bear the consequences. Many citizens are feeling increasingly disillusioned with the idea that their voices matter at all. Voter turnout among younger generations has remained low, and not out of the laziness most will claim, but out of a deep, valid skepticism that neither party can deliver real change. The current vacuum of trust has left room for third-party movements and outsider candidates to gain traction, appealing to voters searching for new approaches outside the traditional two-party system. American democracy will continue to erode.
At the end of the day, it's been made exceedingly clear that Republicans and Democrats have dug into their trenches. Both parties have prioritized their political survival over the good of the citizens who elected them. Until Democrats and Republicans alike are willing to act on principle rather than short-term strategy, Americans are likely to continue feeling unrepresented, caught between two sides of the same coin.
* = satisfaction percentage taken from Fox News
Photo Credit:
[Header]: ABC News
[Embedded 1]: Shutterstock
Sources:
[3]-https://www.foxnews.com/official-polls/fox-news-poll-first-100-days-president-trumps-second-term
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