During a recent event, guests fondly reminisced about the days when hard work led to prosperity, acknowledging the challenges of achieving the same success in today’s economic climate.
MILWAUKEE—Republicans highlighted the importance of personal responsibility, legal immigration, and diligence on the opening night of their national convention, focusing on economic issues throughout the day.
A lineup of politicians, business figures, and everyday citizens shared stories that alternated between personal triumphs of the American dream and narratives suggesting that self-made success is becoming increasingly elusive for most people.
Many speakers attributed the financial struggles of Americans, particularly those in the working class, to President Joe Biden’s economic and border policies.
Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee pointed out, “Biden and [Vice President Kamala] Harris have increased electricity prices by over 29 percent by outsourcing our energy supply. Gas prices have risen from $2.40 to $3.54 since they took office.”
The economic message from the Republican Party sharply contrasted with President Biden’s assertions that the economy is on the upswing.
Success Stories Through Hard Work
Several GOP speakers shared their humble beginnings to illustrate that success should be attainable through dedication and accountability.
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Vanessa Faura, an immigrant from Peru, shared her family’s journey out of poverty. “When we first came to the Bronx, we lived in a graffiti-covered building on the sixth floor. Both my parents worked two jobs,” she recounted.
Representative John James of Michigan recounted his father’s struggle with poverty during the Jim Crow era. “Despite facing racism, my father never played the victim card. He put himself through college, served in Vietnam, and established a trucking company from scratch,” Mr. James explained.
Congressman Wesley Hunt of Texas talked about his family’s resilience against racial stereotypes. “As the great, great grandson of a slave and the son of a retired Lieutenant Colonel, I am a testament to breaking barriers,” he declared.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasized the dignity of hard work. “My hero was my mother, a nurse who held our family together when my father lost his job. At 15, while washing dishes and cooking, I learned the value of labor,” he reflected.
Challenges to Achieving Success
Other speakers highlighted the obstacles to realizing the American dream in today’s economic landscape.
Linda Fornos, who immigrated from Nicaragua six decades ago, shared her struggles after losing her home in a fire in 2022. “Life is incredibly tough now. One of my sons has three jobs, and the other has two, totaling six jobs for three people just to get by,” Ms. Fornos revealed.
Representative Byron Donalds of Florida recounted how his mother made sacrifices to provide him with a private school education but later had to rely on public assistance due to job loss.
“My mother and grandmother worked hard to ensure I had a bright future through education and diligence,” Mr. Donalds stated. However, for many children today, “that dream seems out of reach.”
Benjamin Joseph, a home remodeling contractor from Michigan, discussed the challenges of running his business amidst rising costs. “Many clients are cutting back on home improvement projects, forcing me to reduce my margins significantly just to stay afloat,” Mr. Joseph lamented.
President Biden has repeatedly argued that Republican policies are hindering the success of working-class Americans.
“Since I took office, the economy has grown at a faster rate than in any other presidential term over the past 25 years,” he claimed, pointing to a 3% increase in GDP in the first quarter of the year with unemployment below 4%.
However, the president acknowledged that many families still struggle with high costs. “I am committed to lowering them,” he reassured.
On July 5, President Biden criticized Republican policies for benefiting the wealthy at the expense of working families. “Their actions will burden middle-class families with high tariffs, provide tax cuts for the rich, and repeal the Affordable Care Act,” he argued.
The focus briefly shifted from the Republican economic agenda when former President Donald Trump, officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate earlier that day, made his first public appearance since surviving an assassination attempt two days prior.
The former president received a standing ovation upon entering Fiserv Forum, where he sat alongside vice presidential nominee Senator J.D. Vance, political commentator Tucker Carlson, and members of the Trump family, without addressing the audience.
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