This is a response to the June 17 op-ed “Maine’s congressional leaders must step up to stop Trump.” The best way to stop President Donald Trump is for Democrats to take back the U.S. House and Senate in the 2026 election.

Democrats lost the 2024 election because they didn’t pay enough attention to working class concerns about jobs, the price of groceries and housing. And they’re making the same mistake for the 2026 election.

The Democrats talk a lot about gay and transgender rights, the rights of illegal immigrants and how Trump cut food aid for starving children in Africa. They also talk a lot about Trump’s attacks on the rule of law, habeas corpus and the Constitution. These are important issues that Democrats should be fighting for.

But, “It’s the economy, stupid.” That’s the main issue that will win working class votes and determine the 2026 election. But I don’t see any significant Democratic plan to benefit the working class that’s the equivalent to Trump’s big, bold tariff plan to bring back high-paying manufacturing jobs to America.

Will Trump’s tariff plan work? The answer to that question and the Democrats’ counter plan will determine the outcome of the next election. Remember, “As Maine goes so goes the nation.”

Steve Scott
Sarasota, Fla.