Op-Ed: Protecting the American Dream in the Age of Trump By Tram T. Nguyen

Protecting the American Dream in the Age of Trump

Written by Tram T. Nguyen

Families are really struggling in Trump's economy, and I say that as someone who has seen my own family struggle hard. Growing up, my father worked as a food delivery driver to make ends meet. I could tell you what food my dad delivered on any given night just by the smell on his clothes when he walked through the door. 

Chinese food smelled like garlic and ginger. Pizza was tomato and grease. Sometimes both in one night if he could get the extra hours. 

Mom did whatever she could find. Sewing. Craft work. Anything that paid. My sister and I grew up watching them hustle, always looking for the next gig, the next way to pay the rent. My entire childhood was watching my parents — the hardest working people I know — scramble to make ends meet in a country that promised them a fair shot. 

Our government is supposed to be there for its people. Sometimes it is, but oftentimes, it’s not. I’ve lived both sides of that outcome. I know what’s possible when it delivers, like providing us with public housing as a foundation to build on. And I know what happens when it fails you.

Last month, I found out my mother’s health care premium had jumped from $4.11 a month last year to $235 this year.

It’s the same plan with the same coverage, but it’s seventy times more expensive because Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans let the premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025. 

Just like my mom, over 20 million Americans are getting hit with the same shock. Trump told Republicans not to extend subsidies, even though most Americans, including most Republicans, wanted them.

My family came to America with $100 to our name, and my parents worked every job they could find, and they were able to build a new life for our family. That’s the promise of this country. 

But when Trump and the billionaire class rig the economy for themselves, they take that promise away from working people.

Thankfully I am in a position to cover my mom’s premium, so she is not among the many who will have to make the difficult decision to forgo health insurance altogether. But at a time where everything is more expensive, there are many families who do not have that option. No one should have to worry about how they’re going to afford health care because Washington Republicans would rather hand out tax breaks to billionaires than extend much-needed subsidies that keep our entire health care system more affordable for everyone. 

As a State Representative from the 18th Essex District, I’ve fought to give working families a shot. I’ve pushed to strengthen health care protections in the Commonwealth and co-sponsored legislation to make mega corporations pay their fair share. 

Now, I’m running for Congress because I’m tired of politicians in Washington who’ve never worried about next month’s rent making decisions for the people who have. My parents kept their promise. They worked, contributed, took the help when needed, and paid it back a thousand times over. 

They didn’t ask for special treatment. They just wanted a fair shake like so many others struggling to get by.

It’s time Washington remembered that they work for us, the people. 

State Representative Tram Nguyen represents the 18th Essex District and is a candidate for Congress.

Provided by the Tram campaign.