Unsustainable government spending is threatening to upend the American Dream for independent voters.
What is an independent voter? More than just someone who rejects party labels, independent voters are pragmatic problem-solvers. They’re increasingly the backbone of American democracy—especially when it comes to confronting the nation’s most pressing challenges, like our ballooning debt and deficit.
At the Independent Center, we believe independents are uniquely positioned to lead the charge toward a modernized American Dream—one that’s economically sustainable, politically inclusive, and rooted in common sense.
Lessons from Abroad: A Fiscal Canary in the Coal Mine
If history is any guide, American politics often echoes trends that first emerge across the Atlantic. Before Ronald Reagan, there was Margaret Thatcher. Before Donald Trump’s 2016 election, the UK experienced its own populist wave through Brexit.
That’s why a recent Wall Street Journal article caught our attention: “Is the U.K. a Canary in the Coal Mine for a Heavily Indebted World?” The piece highlights how the UK’s long-term borrowing costs have surged to their highest levels since 1998. The culprit? Unsustainable government spending paired with sluggish economic growth.
The UK’s response—more borrowing and the largest tax hike in a generation—has sparked fears of a looming fiscal crisis. But this isn’t just a British problem. It’s a G7-wide dilemma. For two decades, Western governments have relied on low interest rates to justify high deficits. Now, with rates rising, the cracks are showing.
The Global Warning Signs Are Clear
France is also feeling the strain. Just this week, the French government collapsed for the second time in less than a year, following backlash over proposed spending cuts and tax reforms. Political instability is becoming the norm in countries where fiscal dysfunction reigns.
Even in the United States, the warning lights are flashing. Our national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, and net interest payments on government debt globally rose 11.2% last year, totaling $2.72 trillion. Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has warned that “America’s tipping point is near.”
While the U.S. enjoys the privilege of being the world’s reserve currency, that status isn’t guaranteed. If global confidence in our ability to repay debt falters, the consequences could be severe—higher taxes, a worsening affordability crisis, and long-term economic pain for everyday Americans.
Independents Are Ready to Lead
Both major parties have contributed to this fiscal mess. Neither has shown the courage or competence to propose meaningful solutions. But independent voters understand that this issue transcends partisanship. They’re ready to work with like-minded Americans to tackle the hard problems—split-ticket voting and pragmatic coalition-building are just the beginning.
Independents know that the American Dream must evolve. It must be modernized to reflect today’s economic realities. That means demanding fiscal responsibility, rejecting unsustainable spending, and holding leaders accountable—regardless of party.
The Path Forward
The future isn’t set in stone. But without action, the dye is about to be cast. Independent voters are rising to meet this moment—not with ideology, but with solutions.
It’s time to ask: What is an independent voter? They’re the ones who will save the American Dream.
