Are People Acting Against Their Best Interests?

For many years, I have been part of a substantial group of Americans who criticize individuals for “voting against their own interests.” This refers primarily to those at or near the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, including the working poor and parts of the lower middle class. Many work multiple jobs striving to survive, facing heart-wrenching financial decisions regarding essential needs like food, rent, and medical bills. In addition, a considerable segment of the “middle class” earns between the median income of about $55,000 and twice that amount. Unfortunately, they face risks from a tax system favoring investment gains over wages, which exacerbates our national debt burden. With the Trump Administration dismantling critical social safety nets through the “Big Beautiful Bill,” numerous working-class Americans are now precariously positioned. This raises questions about why individuals may still choose candidates whose policies harm them. Factors such as religious beliefs, personal liberty concerns, and racial anxieties deeply influence their voting behaviors, often more than economic realities.