Democratic Party’s history on affordability isn’t favorable: Joe Concha
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha argues that the Democratic Party’s focus on affordability may ultimately hurt them in the long run. he questions what the party actually plans to do to lower the cost of living and contends that there’s likely little that can be done in the near term to make prices noticeably more affordable. Concha points to Democratic actions such as the Inflation Reduction Act, framing it as a Green New Deal-style effort that raised taxes and spending, which in his view contributes to inflation rather than alleviating it. He cites polling data showing about 70% of Americans feel their area is unaffordable and rising credit-card debt, arguing that simply promising relief without concrete policies won’t satisfy voters. The piece also notes that voters who research the issue will recall Democratic control of the White House and Congress in recent years, and it mentions centrists who campaigned as moderates but purportedly did not deliver on affordability. Concha portrays affordability as a potential political liability for Democrats in the 2026 midterms and beyond, suggesting some may ignore the issue if they regain power.
Democratic Party’s history on tackling affordability isn’t favorable: Joe Concha
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said he wants to know what exactly the Democratic Party’s plan is to address the cost of living going forward.
An opinion piece published on Sunday argues that the Democratic Party’s focus on affordability this November could hurt it going into 2028 and beyond, as “there’s probably nothing Democrats can do” to make things “noticeably” more affordable in the near future, according to the Hill. Concha said any voter who “does their homework” will notice that Democrats had control of the White House and Congress “just a few years ago,” when party members promoted the Inflation Reduction Act.
“It was a version of the Green New Deal, inflation goes above 9%,” Concha said on Fox Business’s Varney & Co. Monday, guest-hosted by Ashley Webster.
“In the end, Democrats support raising taxes, which would’ve happened if the Big Beautiful Bill didn’t pass last year, that’s certainly not a solution to make things more affordable, and they want to increase spending, which Econ 101 taught me way back when only devalues the dollar and therefore leads to the kind of inflation that we saw under the last administration.”
Concha also cited polling data that indicated 70% of U.S. residents say the area they live in is “unaffordable,” and credit card debt is at “an all-time high” as “survival now runs on credit.” He wants to know “the plan” to lower the cost of living, as raising taxes or increasing spending won’t address this.
RECLAIMING AFFORDABILITY: 2026 MIDTERMS MAY BE COST OF LIVING REFERENDUM
Concha added that voters could still buy into the Democratic Party’s platform, citing how Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) ran as a centrist on the 2025 campaign trail, but “pulled a bait-and-switch” upon entering office. He said many voters aren’t “paying attention,” and may “roll the dice” on campaign promises.
Washington Examiner economics columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher predicted that Democratic lawmakers will ignore affordability if they retake the House this November. She said the party could seek to propose its own affordability legislation but instead subpoena and “go after” people who have worked with President Donald Trump or donated to his White House ballroom project.
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