The presidential election and inflation topped events of 2024
One clue that the reelection of Donald Trump to a second, non-consecutive presidential term was a real possibility early on in 2024 is because unlike in 2020, not all supporters of Trump could be pegged as White men, red hat-wearing, fringe conspiracy theorists who hate government. And unlike in 2020 when a vote for Trump was practically done in “secret” as many dodged and disassociated themselves with the likes of QAnon, the Proud Boys, right-wing radicalism, or Sen Lindsey Graham — there were enough non-partisans openly endorsing him. There were Trump “main street” supporters who didn’t cower or feel embarrassed to say this time that they were voting for Trump.
It’s not that in 2024, Trump rebranded himself, abandoned his xenophobic policies and strongman persona. The MAGA savior was all that, still ferocious, whose ill rhetoric once again made it easy for Democrats to point their finger at him as the second coming of a would-be dictator out for revenge.
The problem is the finger-pointing didn’t work. Why? Because 2024 was not just about an election between Trump, the angry Teflon Don whose legal mires couldn’t keep him down versus the Biden-Harris tandem. 2024 had inflation on the ballot.
The top news for 2024 was the presidential election – and all the topsy turvy events, Biden flops in debate, Harris replaces him in the 11th hour, Trump survives a near-death assassination attempt, the exhausting punditry and polling – that is a given.
But a close second in top news for 2024 undeniably was the stubborn inflation which arguably determined the outcome of the top news, the presidential election, and to boot Republicans also garnering a trifecta, winning both houses of Congress.
Voters didn’t care why inflation was high, the economic intricacies of it all or that Biden and Harris were or were not fully or partially responsible for it. Voters could care less that the media kept reporting how strong the economy is, that Wall Street is robust, how employment is high. It was all doublespeak to many voters who went into grocery stores sticker shocked at rising prices and left grocery stores feeling cheated, and self-loathed over it because they weren’t making enough money to comfortably put food on the table.
This is why Trump won at the margins. The 2024 election was a referendum on inflation. And when you look at history, for example in the French Revolution, when conditions get to a point when people cannot afford food, that’s a kind of impoverishment that demands change. Harris in her internal polling obviously gaged inflation to be a top concern among Americans, but she failed to make it a centerpiece and increasingly ducked out of articulating enough her plans to combat inflation. The answer to why this happened is obviously linked to the big monied donors who supported her.
Democrats now are relegated to the proverbial dustbin for at least two years until the midterm. Have they learned their lesson of ignoring Americans’ calls for a better economy, one that’s not just for the big corporations? Have Democrats learned that to mimic Republican unbridled capitalism and embracing elitism is a losing position that does not separate themselves from the GOP, but will leave the party out of the halls of power? Will they go back to their roots of being the party for the people? They have two years to work all that out. But the fact that Democrats have chosen to keep the same leaders of the party to remain in the Senate and House, it’s likely that Democrats are still more interested in pleasing big-monied donors over main street Americans.
Bright side of 2024
2024 had encouraging moments – the Hawaii State Legislature and Gov Josh Green gifted the largest income tax cut in state history that could leave as much as $5.6 billion in the pockets of Hawaii taxpayers through 2031. The Governor said the new law will reduce state income taxes for 70% of working-class families and eliminate the state income tax entirely for about 40% of all state taxpayers by 2031. This is significant for many Hawaii families struggling with the high cost of living and those thinking to leave the state because of unaffordability.
It was also another vibrant and celebratory year for Hawaii’s Filipinos who enjoyed several community events from the annual Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta to Filipino Food Week. Our community also took delight in cultural and religious practices like Holy Week and Undas. On elections and empowerment, Filipino candidates in Hawaii and on the mainland garnered some representative wins for our community.
Our Filipino community in Maui also received welcoming news that a $4.037 billion Maui Wildfires Global Settlement had been reached, pending final legislative and judicial review. This could go a long way towards rebuilding their lives and transitioning into normalcy. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle will work to provide updates on resources and assistance as they are made available.
Looking forward to 2025
2024 could be characterized as a transition year as most election years are. There are obvious profound lingering problems ahead that Trump must deliver on his promises – lifting the burden on the crushing inflation is one. Locally, the Hawaii State Legislature must tackle in 2025 the homeowner’s insurance and maintenance fee crisis affecting tens of thousands of Hawaii locals.
The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle staff and management begins 2025 as we’ve always done with hope and optimism. We ask for your continued support and are committed to excellence in journalism and serving our community. Happy New Year to all!
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