This is an open letter to all bros. You're angry. You're disillusioned. And you have every right to be. The question is, what do you do about it? How do you do something that's going to improve your life, your future?
Does the answer lie in a political party? Both Republicans and Democrats certainly want your vote. However, you don't feel that you can look to the Democratic Party for help. They seem to be particularly interested in women, people of color, and immigrants. They haven't spoken to you or done anything for you.
It doesn't matter to you that 100 years ago, they were at the forefront of fighting for American workers against the power of big corporations. They enabled unions to become strong and improve the livelihood of workers. Democrats took action to improve worker safety and a range of other measures that enhanced workers' lives.
"That may be true," you say, "but then Democrats started pushing women's rights and the rights of people of color." Before that, it was mostly a White man's world. Whether you were a blue-collar or white-collar worker, White men were the predominant force. Women and people of color were certainly not a threat.
Now things are very different; you feel that it is you, a White man, who has to fight for what he wants. They say you're privileged because you're White, but as far as you're concerned, what does that matter if you see no way forward for yourself?
The country is at the point now where the White American worker feels neglected by the Democratic Party, and young bros feel like they have not only been overlooked, but they have never had the attention of the Party.
And so when Donald Trump came along and spoke with rage about the plight of the American worker and dissed all the efforts that had been undertaken to help women and people of color through DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) programs, you understandably listened up and said, "This man is speaking to me."
But wait a minute. Wouldn't you say that all people should be treated equally in the workplace? Should they have the same opportunities? I'm sure your answer is, "yes." But you understandably think it's not fair if some people—women and people of color—are given preference. That's not equal treatment, regardless of how much discrimination there was in the past.
You think Donald Trump may make things better for you? Regardless of what Donald Trump says—he sure does talk the talk—he does not walk the walk; he has done nothing that has or will help you gain strength.
All his efforts against DEI will not change the fact that women and people of color have a different status now than they had 50 years ago. They are and will be your competition. And keep in mind that he isn't attacking DEI to help you; he's just throwing red meat to his manosphere and White supremacist supporters.
To put yourself in the best position possible, you need to acquire the knowledge, talent, and energy necessary to succeed in competition. You can do it. Don't know where to turn? Demand that the government provide you with the resources and opportunity to make the most of yourself.
You have to realize that Donald Trump is a Republican, first and foremost. Certainly not an old-fashioned conservative Republican, but a Republican nonetheless. Virtually everything he has done—all his executive orders, his One Big Beautiful Act—all are for the benefit of the rich and the powerful. He is the friend of the true elite of this country—the big banks and corporations. The Republican Party under President Trump has not become the party of the people, as he and his MAGA allies claim. They have deceived you; they have used you to gain power.
Many of his followers react to the havoc he has created in government with glee because they don't trust government and feel that Reagan spoke the truth when he said, "Government is not the solution; government is the problem." But you have to understand that almost everything Trump is tearing down are programs that helped the average person, not just people of color and women.
Do you know that the majority of people living in poverty in the U.S. are White? That's a fact; not Black, not Hispanic, but White. So all the anti-poverty programs help more White people than people of color. You may not be living in poverty, but consider this. And all the business regulations he's getting rid of—the purpose of all that regulation was to protect the public, the average person—you. However, Trump favors deregulation because it undoubtedly pleases corporations.
So if you can't put your faith in Donald Trump, what about giving Democrats a chance? Don't turn away. You may not have had their attention in the past, but you sure do now! They have heard your complaints loud and clear, as voiced by your vote for Trump.
They are trying to figure out how to provide you with the support you need. Not just to get your vote, but because Democrats have a real concern for the well-being of all Americans. They may have f***ed up at times in the past, but they believe in the words of the Declaration of Independence that all people are created equal and all have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Give them a chance. See how they speak to you. But regardless of how they respond, know that Donald Trump will not only do nothing that improves your position in life, but he also has no interest in you. All he wants is your vote. And everything he says to get your vote is a sham, deceitful.
For both your own sake and the country's, consider what is truly in your best interest.
Ronald L. Hirsch is a teacher, legal aid lawyer, survey researcher, nonprofit executive, consultant, composer, author, and volunteer. He is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School and the author of We Still Hold These Truths. Read more of his writing at www.PreservingAmericanValues.com
