In about 6 weeks it will be 2026.

I get it! No one is interested in building anything at any time nor anymore. But this blog posting should get your interest as this is a possible scenario for 2026 and this you can't avoid. I asked copilot "what is up for 2026"? See you could have built a CW rig.

Mike, WN2A did email me about a transmitter he designed that meets our specifications from yesterday. His rig design and project graced the pages of QST so it has a pedigree, and design features we would want in a rig built in 2025! The bonus, designs presented for various bands and good for 20 watts of fire to the wire.

OUTLOOK FOR 2026

In 2026, Americans are expected to grapple with major challenges around the economy, political polarization, government dysfunction, and social division. These issues are shaping both daily life and the upcoming midterm elections.

🇺🇸 Key Issues Facing Americans in 2026

💰 Economic Pressures

• Cost of living & inflation remain top concerns. Polls show voters giving low marks to leadership on economic management.

• While growth has stabilized, structural weaknesses—like debt levels, housing affordability, and uneven wage growth—threaten long-term stability.

• The U.S. economy, now valued at nearly $30 trillion, is resilient but faces tests from global competition and domestic blind spots.

🏛️ Political Polarization & Elections

• The 2026 midterms are shaping up as high-stakes contests, with control of Congress hanging in the balance.

• Retirements and razor-thin majorities in both chambers mean the elections could reshape national politics for years.

• President Trump’s approval ratings among independents are below 30%, signaling challenges for Republicans.

• Americans are navigating a deeply polarized electorate, with generational shifts and evolving media ecosystems intensifying divisions.

⚖️ Government Dysfunction

• The federal government shutdown in late 2025 highlights ongoing dysfunction, raising questions about governance capacity heading into 2026.

• Budget battles and partisan gridlock are expected to continue, affecting public trust and essential services.

🤝 Social Division & Civic Challenges

• Rising toxic polarization is undermining civic life. Nonprofit leaders emphasize the need to bridge divides and rebuild trust.

• Philanthropy and grassroots movements are being called on to counteract contempt and foster unity across communities.

📊 Why These Issues Matter

• Economic strain affects household budgets, retirement security, and business investment.

• Political battles will determine legislative priorities on healthcare, climate, immigration, and technology.

• Government dysfunction risks eroding confidence in democracy.

• Social division threatens cohesion, making it harder to tackle collective challenges.

🔮 Looking Ahead

Americans in 2026 are not just facing isolated problems—they’re confronting interconnected crises where economics, politics, and social trust overlap. The midterm elections will serve as a referendum on leadership, while everyday citizens continue to wrestle with affordability, polarization, and the search for common ground.

Would you like me to break this down into specific everyday impacts (like housing, healthcare, jobs), or keep the focus on the big-picture national challenges?

Taking this a step further the impacts are different by which generation you are from.

n 2026, Americans are grappling with a mix of economic, political, and social challenges, including inflation, healthcare costs, political polarization, climate change, and global instability. These issues are shaping both daily life and the upcoming midterm elections.

🌎 Key Issues Facing Americans in 2026

💰 Economic Concerns

• Inflation & Cost of Living: Rising prices for housing, food, and energy remain top worries. Many households feel squeezed despite wage growth.

• Jobs & Automation: Technological disruption, especially AI and automation, is reshaping industries and raising fears about job security.

• Federal Debt & Budget Battles: Ongoing government shutdowns and disputes over spending priorities highlight fiscal instability.

🏥 Healthcare & Social Well-Being

• Healthcare Costs: Americans continue to cite medical expenses and access to affordable care as major problems.

• Mental Health & Addiction: Concerns about opioid addiction and rising mental health needs are pressing issues across communities.

• Moral & Social Values: A growing share of Americans view the state of moral values as a “very big national problem”.

⚖️ Political & Cultural Polarization

• Deep Partisan Divides: The electorate is highly polarized, with generational and cultural shifts intensifying debates.

• Trust in Institutions: Confidence in government, media, and even elections is fragile, fueling political battles.

• Midterm Elections: The 2026 races are seen as pivotal, with retirements in Congress and shifting voter priorities shaping the landscape.

🌍 Global & Environmental Challenges

• Climate Change: Extreme weather events and debates over energy policy remain urgent concerns.

• Geopolitical Tensions: Americans are increasingly aware of global conflicts and their economic and security impacts.

• Immigration: Border security and immigration reform continue to be divisive national issues.

📊 Why These Issues Matter

• Economic pressures affect everyday life, from rent to groceries.

• Healthcare costs directly impact family budgets and well-being.

• Polarization influences not just politics but workplace and community dynamics.

• Climate and global instability tie local realities to international events, making Americans feel the world’s turbulence at home.

In short: 2026 is a year where Americans are balancing pocketbook concerns with broader cultural and global challenges. The midterm elections will likely serve as a referendum on how well leaders address these intertwined issues.

Would you like me to break this down into top 5 priorities by age group (e.g., Gen Z vs. Boomers)? That could show how different generations experience these challenges.

Sources:

Yes

Here’s a generational breakdown of the top 5 issues Americans face in 2026, showing how priorities differ across age groups.

👩‍💻 Gen Z (Born ~1997–2012)

• Climate Change & Sustainability – Urgency around renewable energy, plastic reduction, and protecting habitats

• Mental Health – High concern about anxiety, depression, and access to care

• Gun Violence – Seen as a major national problem

• Higher Education Costs – Rising tuition and student debt weigh heavily

• Racial Equity & Civic Engagement – Strong focus on fairness, activism, and political participation

👨 Millennials (Born ~1981–1996)

• Financial Struggles Despite Earnings – Many feel “broke” even with higher incomes

• Housing Affordability – Difficulty buying homes or affording rent

• Debt Management – Student loans, credit cards, and rising living costs

• Emergency Savings & Financial Planning – Building resilience against economic shocks

• Political Representation – Growing presence of millennial candidates in elections

🧑 Gen X (Born ~1965–1980)

• Retirement Readiness – Many feel underprepared for retirement

• Sandwich Generation Pressures – Supporting both children and aging parents

• Mortgage & Debt Burdens – High monthly obligations compared to other generations

• Financial Insecurity – Struggles with balancing debt, savings, and obligations

• Healthcare Costs – Rising expenses for family and personal care

👴 Baby Boomers (Born ~1946–1964)

• Social Security Changes – Concern over benefit adjustments and retirement age

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) – Worries about insufficient increases in benefits

• Healthcare & Prescription Costs – Rising medical expenses in retirement

• Delayed Retirement – Many continue working longer than expected

• Housing & Wealth Transfer – Holding onto homes and assets, affecting younger generations

👵 Silent Generation (Born ~1928–1945)

• Healthcare & Long-Term Care Needs – Managing aging-related medical challenges

• Financial Stability – Living on fixed incomes, often reliant on Social Security

• Family & Values – Strong emphasis on tradition, responsibility, and community

• Political Polarization – More divided views compared to younger generations

• Mobility & Independence – Concerns about aging in place and support systems

📊 Big Picture

• Younger generations (Gen Z & Millennials) prioritize climate, equity, and affordability.

• Middle-aged Gen X is squeezed by debt, mortgages, and retirement planning.

• Older Boomers & Silents focus on Social Security, healthcare, and aging with dignity.

👉 This generational lens shows why national debates in 2026 feel fragmented: each group is fighting battles shaped by their stage of life.

Would this have been the same answer if a majority of Americans had made a different choice in November 2024. Some of the 2026 impacts would likely progress as they have, regardless. But would you have seen the chaos, stagnation in government, unemployment, tariffs, loss of confidence and hope in the future or have such fears of what is next. The track we are on does not make America anything other than we are in deep poop! 

Red hats may be a symbol no longer in vogue. Sensing danger, the rats always leave the sinking ship.

Them that know, know we need to look hard at the 2026 Mid-terms.

73's

Pete N6QW