OPINION:
If politics were logical, Republicans would be leading in the polls and looking forward to maintaining — even expanding — their congressional majorities.
Putting aside President Trump’s annoying personality, vulgar language and narcissistic behavior — as difficult as that might be for many people — Republicans should be asking voters a few questions. First, do you remember why you voted out the Democrats two years ago — because of their crazy economic and social policies, such as transgender athletes in women’s sports?
If you do, why would you return Democrats to the majority in Congress, which would result in investigations and another possible impeachment of the president and members of his Cabinet?
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Will that improve your life?
Yes, the Iran war is frustrating, but the unacceptable alternative to stopping the fanatical Iranian regime from getting a nuclear weapon is allowing it to have one.
Do you know nothing about their fundamentalist doctrines that teach they have a duty to kill Jews, Christians and anyone else who believes differently from them?
Are you unaware of recent economic progress? According to the Unleash Prosperity newsletter, which offers insider updates on what is happening with the economy, “After four months of decline due to high energy prices, real household income showed a rebound in August and September. Median household income rose to $88,667 in August, nearly the highest income level ever, and up to roughly $2,500 in real terms from when Trump’s second term began! In his four years in office real incomes barely budged under Biden.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate fell to 10.2% last year, the lowest on record dating back to 1959.
It gets better.
Mr. Trump promised to control the southern border, and he has. A White House press release makes the case: “Illegal border crossings have plummeted to their lowest level since the 1970s, with migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border dropping dramatically in 2025. The U.S. achieved negative net migration in 2025 — the first time in over 50 years — reversing decades of unchecked migration and restoring control over our sovereignty.”
Plus, the administration claims to have deported more than 500,000 immigrants, approximately 70% of whom had criminal records. Yes, there has been some overreaction by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but it pales when compared with the crimes committed by the deportees.
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Except in select urban pockets where violent crime remains a stubborn challenge — though even Chicago reported a significant drop in homicides — the administration can legitimately brag about the decline in overall crime. According to FBI data, violent crime in America dropped 9.3% in 2025, the largest one-year decline in history.
Nationally, homicide fell 18.1%, robbery fell 18.5%, and America’s violent crime rate is at its lowest since at least the 1960s, with the homicide rate potentially its lowest since 1900.
Mr. Trump and the Republican Congress made tax cuts permanent. The downside is that they did not attack the $40 trillion debt. The president also significantly reduced the number of federal employees and repealed regulations at a rapid clip pursuant to executive orders, according to the Office of Management and Budget.
Plants and manufacturing jobs have returned or been brought to America. Ford is moving Lincoln production out of China starting in 2030. Toyota is shifting a major portion of its Tacoma production from Mexico to Texas by 2030. GM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and others are expanding U.S. production.
Power plants and refineries are being built.
Why do more people not know all this? Because the major media largely ignore it, preferring to focus on the horse race and Democrats, who have no policies.
It takes time to turn around the sizable failures of two administrations — those of Presidents Biden and Obama — but things are moving in the right direction. Putting Democrats back in the majority in the House, Senate or both will stall this progress.
If only Mr. Trump would make the campaign less about himself and more about some of the above questions — or would it be illogical to expect that of him?
• Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book, “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books).
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