For most of this election year, there has been much talk about a “red wave” in the midterm elections when Republicans are expected to sweep Democrats from power and retake both the House and Senate. The mainstream media has tried in vain to equivocate and suggest there may be no red wave and Democrats might be able to cling to power. Some Democrats have even humorously claimed Democrats will increase their majorities. This propaganda and wishful thinking were meant to shape the election, but it’s just noise because Republicans will take control of the Congress. Perhaps not because of Republicans, but because of Democrats.

Republicans are certainly working hard and offering solutions, but they are having trouble being heard in the Democrat Media Complex echo chamber. No matter. Democrat performance and policies are so atrocious that it’s patently obvious what we are doing is not working, or more precisely failing miserably, so Americans know we cannot stay this course. Anything would be better than Biden Administration policies, so Americans are looking for any alternative to staunch the bleeding. Hence, a golden opportunity for Republicans.

Inflation compounded by rising interest rates is a huge problem for American families as it eats their budgets and erodes their income, but Democrats ignore the devastation and insist on pouring more gas on the fire with more unending profligate spending. They know Americans are clamoring for relief, but their pleas fall on deaf Democrat ears. Why? Democrats hold tightly to their progressive philosophy and refuse to concede socialist policies hurt the middle class. They are determined to pursue socialism even at the cost of prosperity.

One of the biggest drivers of inflation and our flagging economy is skyrocketing energy prices; it literally affects the cost of everything. This is an easy fix because the USA has ample resources and the technology to fuel America; we were energy independent just two years ago. Again, Democrats will not relent because they are wedded to the church of climate change. They erroneously believe they must save the planet even if it means sinking Americans into poverty.

The border is a wide-open crisis with illegal immigration completely out of control. Illegal immigrants are being abused and suffering. Cities and states are strained to breaking. Americans are losing jobs to cheap labor. Democrats do absolutely nothing because they deny there is even a problem. In a cynical bargain, Democrats realize they are losing working Americans, but hope to eventually gain the votes of illegal immigrants. It’s not about the country; it’s about the party.

After a couple years of insane “defund the police” policies, crime is out of control and Americans are afraid to leave their homes, but Democrats double down on cashless bail and simply not even charging criminals for their crimes. Blue cities are suffering the worst, but Democrats still refuse to admit their gross failures or change their ways.

Education has become a lightning rod as Democrats insist on imposing extreme LGBTQ policies on schools. Parents are incensed at the inappropriate sexual topics pushed on their children, but Democrats have no regard for decency and remain loyal to a militant LGBTQ fringe. Parents are desperate, but Democrats remain unaware.

The crazy thing is Democrats could have mitigated this disaster; they could have veered to the center to make Americans think they hear them. They could simply stop spending. Support even a modicum of domestic oil production. Dissuade illegal immigration by just trying to control the border. Drop the radical law enforcement and education policies at least until after the election. Some Americans might give them the benefit of the doubt for trying and they might stem their losses in the House and maybe retain the Senate, but they have shown no interest in what Americans are feeling or thinking.

In every respect, the nation is in bad shape and Democrat intransigence has made our situation hopeless, so Americans are looking for any alternative for relief. Enter Republicans with aggressive candidates across the country and we will have a red wave. Republicans have a lot of work to do, but their priority must be to rein in the absurd deleterious policies of the Biden Administration. A Republican Congress will not solve all our problems, but it’s a start and it will give Americans hope we can end this nightmare. It’s not done yet, so be sure to vote out the immature leftist zealots and then hold Republicans accountable.

“You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen” (Isaiah 42:20).

Pete Riehm is the host of Common Sense Radio heard 8 pm every Thursday on FMTalk106.5 or streaming at fmtalk1065.com. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or on MEWE @PeteRiehm or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.