Kerby Anderson

The political mantra of Democratic candidates these days is the word: affordability. I am sure the word surfaced in a focus group and has been used constantly by everyone from Zohran Mamdani to Elizabeth Warren. Never mind this word was never used by Democrats when inflation was nearly double digits three years ago.

But before you dismiss this political buzzword, consider why it resonates with so many voters. Here are just a few comments and statistics from a YouTube rant by Adam Livingston.

“Since the year 2000, real prices have gone up over 150 percent” while wages have been flat. “Some Americans remember when you could raise a family on one income. Now you need two jobs and three side hustles.”

"Why aren’t millennials buying homes? Maybe because our paychecks look like tips and your fiscal policies turn starter homes into lottery jackpots.” Owning a home means you also must pay taxes. “You’re being taxed like a Rockefeller but living like a medieval peasant who just found out that the pigs have the plague.”

And don’t forget medical costs. “Premiums are up over 740 percent since 1980. You want to give birth, that’ll be $20,000. You want to die, that will be $8,000 for administrative fees. By the way, 60 percent of bankruptcies are from medical bills.” And we might mention that “student debt in America is $1.7 trillion right now.”

“Let’s review. You can’t afford a home. You can’t afford to get sick. You can’t afford to get smart. But don’t worry, the government says, inflation is transitory just like your dreams.”

Obviously, some of this is exaggeration for effect, but it illustrates why the political mantra of affordability has connected with young adults. And it explains why some candidates were elected last month.