In recent years, the Democratic Party's approach to addressing the nation's challenges has faltered.
A pattern has emerged in their messaging: instead of engaging with the American people and understanding their concerns, the focus has been on dictating what these concerns should be. This imposed narrative has resulted in a disconnect with constituents, contributing to the party's struggles.
As an Orthodox Jew, I've watched with discomfort the disintegration of religious values and the encroachment on religious freedoms propagated by the left through "woke" ideologies.
The Democrats have steered their messaging to convince Americans that the lack of ultra-liberal policies is the country's most pressing issue. This can alienate those who came to America to practice their faith freely and maintain their traditional values, labeling them outsiders for rejecting concepts such as woke ideology and transgender sports.
This narrative shift has fostered an environment where those who stand by their values are portrayed as oppressors. Women concerned about privacy in bathrooms or religious individuals adhering to their beliefs face repercussions, politically and monetarily, accused of excluding others rather than exercising their rights to personal convictions.
A Whistleblower's Message
I will never forget how former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst deeply touched many hearts with her poignant essay in 2021.
In her suicide letter, before jumping to her death, Kryst questioned the societal pressure to chase dreams that ultimately led to emptiness. She wrote, "Why work so hard to capture the dreams I've been taught by society to want when I continue to only find emptiness?"
Her words highlight a society where achievements are increasingly dictated by an external narrative rather than personal fulfillment. Her tragic story serves as a mirror, reflecting the dangers of allowing cultural and societal influencers to define what America's problems and goals should be.
Her message should be shared to preserve her legacy, and even though it did not save her life, it has the potential to save many others.
Kryst's message is heroic and must live on, as she was a victim of a societal dialogue driven by liberal celebrity voices, which promotes false achievements as solutions and sets false goals to promote happiness.
The 2024 presidential election demonstrated this exact disconnect with the public as the American people voiced their concerns at the polls and delivered a decisive blow to America's liberal Democrat leadership. Engaging in honest dialogues rather than imposing a specific worldview is a more sustainable path toward addressing the nation's true challenges, and that's how Donald Trump won over the American people.
The Real Problems
Notably, Trump and the Republican Party chose a different approach. They did not merely highlight woke ideology as the root of all problems but addressed a range of real issues, including the impact of the woke movement, concerns about gender in sports and locker rooms, economic challenges, inflation, energy independence, educational reform, and international relations.
Trump's willingness to tackle these matters head-on and propose viable solutions was a driving force behind his victory.
As a leader in the world of commerce, I frequently engage with innovators and entrepreneurs. My first question to them is always: What problem are you addressing, and how does your invention serve as the solution
It's not unusual to encounter individuals eager to present their ideas as revolutionary fixes to nonexistent issues.
This, I believe, is emblematic of the Democratic Party's missteps that led the American people to reject them at the polls.
The American electorate is anything but naïve. Through their votes, Americans have stated unequivocally that they don't need the Democratic Party to engage celebrities, who often seem detached from everyday realities, to lecture them about their problems and how they should think and vote.
This strategy has backfired on the Democratic Party and insulted the intelligence of the American people.
The crux of effective leadership is simple yet profound: Don't dictate what the problems are; instead, ask the people about their concerns and offer real solutions. This approach was central to Trump's strategy, which led to his victory.
Ultimately, recognizing and addressing the core issues that matter to Americans remains essential. Leaders must listen more and lecture less, providing solutions that align with the people's real-world experiences and challenges.
As we move forward, this mindset will be crucial in building a stronger future that reflects the true needs and aspirations of a hurting nation.
Duvi Honig is founder and chief executive officer of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, a global umbrella of businesses of all sizes, bridging the highest echelons of the business and governmental worlds together, stimulating economic opportunity and positively affecting public policy of governments. His work has been recognized by both Presidents Obama and Trump. Read more of his reports — Here.