Common Sense; Not Convoluted

The Need for Common Sense in Politics

In the world of politics, common sense should reign supreme, no matter the party affiliation. For too long, this straightforward approach has been absent from the halls of power. The establishment has preferred convoluted schemes and self-serving agendas that prioritize insiders over everyday Americans. This pattern has persisted for decades, but moments of potential change have flickered into view, only to be snuffed out by the entrenched elite.

The Contract with America: A Brief Glimmer of Hope

Consider the 1990s, when a glimmer of hope emerged with the Contract with America. Introduced in 1994 by Republicans led by Newt Gingrich, this document outlined a series of reforms aimed at restoring accountability and efficiency to government. It included ten key promises, such as tax cuts, welfare reform, and measures to strengthen families through child support enforcement and incentives for adoption. More than 300 Republican congressional candidates gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to sign the pledge, nationalizing the midterm elections and sharpening the focus on conservative policies. The Contract helped Republicans gain control of the House for the first time in 40 years, and several items were enacted within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress. Yet, this push for common sense quickly faded. Politics as usual resumed, with backroom deals and favoritism taking center stage once more. The initial momentum dissolved amid internal conflicts and the pull of the status quo, leaving Americans disillusioned as the establishment reasserted its grip.

The Establishment's Self-Serving Legacy

This cycle of promise and betrayal underscores a deeper issue: the political elite have long prioritized their own enrichment over the needs of "We the People." History is rife with examples of corruption that expose this reality. The Teapot Dome scandal of the 1920s involved bribery and the leasing of federal oil reserves to private companies, marking one of the most infamous cases of political graft in U.S. history. Watergate in the 1970s led to a president's resignation after a burglary and cover-up revealed widespread abuse of power. More recently, a 2024 Ohio bribery scheme involving a Republican lawmaker demonstrated how corruption has become harder to prosecute, with schemes warping public trust and reinforcing the notion that politicians operate above the law. As of 2025, the U.S. scores just 65 out of 100 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting ongoing issues with graft and influence peddling. These instances reveal a system where backroom deals benefit the powerful, disregarding the average citizen who foots the bill.

The 2015 Disruption: A Newcomer's Challenge

Then came 2015, a turning point that shattered expectations. Donald Trump, a businessman with no prior political office, announced his presidential candidacy at Trump Tower in New York City. He was never supposed to win, according to the pundits and insiders. His campaign tapped into widespread frustration with the establishment, using anti-elite rhetoric to rally voters who felt ignored. Trump's victory in the 2016 election was a stunning repudiation of the status quo, riding a wave of populist anger against Washington insiders. He won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million ballots, exposing divisions and the elite's disconnect from everyday Americans. This triumph sent shockwaves through political institutions, laying bare the lie that leaders were truly serving the public. Instead, it highlighted how the ruling class had been enriching themselves through lobbyist ties, foreign deals, and unchecked power.

Lasting Impact and the Ongoing Battle

Trump's disruption extended beyond his election. His presidency challenges norms, from trade policies to judicial appointments, forcing the establishment to confront its own hypocrisies. Critics decried his style, but supporters saw it as a necessary shake-up. By 2025, this theme of common sense versus convoluted mess has resurfaced strongly. President Trump, back in office, has emphasized restoring practical standards to government, including ending discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that many view as divisive. Appeals to common sense have become a populist tool, resonating more in rural areas and among older voters who prioritize straightforward solutions over elite-driven complexity. Organizations like CommonSense American have even compiled bipartisan issue lists for 2025, focusing on practical reforms to bridge divides.

Yet, the battle is far from over. Populist leaders like Trump continue to frame politics as an us-versus-them struggle, pitting common people against the establishment. This approach empowers ordinary people but also risks deepening divisions. Still, the core message remains clear: Americans demand leaders who apply common sense, reject backroom nonsense, and truly serve the people. The establishment's convoluted mess has been exposed, and the push for real change persists. As history shows, from the Contract with America to today's reforms, the fight for a government that works for everyone requires vigilance against those who would return us to the status quo.