The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

The measured and nonpartisan Cook Political Report was unequivocal: “When a nightmare scenario becomes the most likely scenario … Republicans should brace themselves: The three most plausible outcomes (Election Day) are that it will be bad, really bad, or truly horrible.” Congressional Republicans are reading the polls and tea leaves. Many are avoiding Trump, one ran a TV ad critical of Trump, and some are voting no on GOP policies. But not Wisconsin Republicans. Meanwhile, Democratic voters, unlike GOP voters, are energized.

With no end in sight, the Iran War is Exhibit A. Cost — $38 to 43.6 billion (Congressional Budget Office and Pentagon). U.S. casualties – 18 to 23 dead and over 800 wounded. Iranian and Lebanese dead and wounded in the thousands. Congressional Democrats are in open rebellion, voting down the Iran War. And, 4 GOP senators and 7 GOP representatives have joined Democrats to end the war. Wisconsin’s congressional delegation has split along party lines, Republicans for the war, Democrats opposed.

A recent report from Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, “Republicans’ Chaos: Wisconsinites Pay The Price,” spells out the economic consequences of the Iran War and Trump’s global trade war: “Packing lunches will cost families more than $3,800 this school year, up nearly $400 from last year” (school supplies also way up). … “In total, people across Wisconsin have spent $1 billion more on gas since the beginning of the (Iran War). … Trump’s war is hitting Wisconsin farmers hard, causing the cost of fertilizer and diesel to skyrocket. Wisconsin farmers spent $43,750,386, or 73.6% more, on diesel fuel … . These increased input costs for American farmers, combined with Trump’s trade war, mean higher grocery store prices.”

Trump and the GOP-led Congress have driven the economy into the ditch. Economic growth is down, manufacturing employment has gone south, the national debt has soared above $40 trillion, inflation and interest rates are up (impacting auto and mortgage loans as well as credit card debt) and healthcare premiums and out-of-pocket costs are through the roof. On top of that, the so-called Big Beautiful Bill gave huge tax cuts and dodges to the wealthy while cutting healthcare coverage for millions (mostly after the midterm elections).

Trump and the GOP are now running on con games, tricks and bribing voters. Trump has promised if Republicans win the House and Senate, each adult citizen will receive $5,000. However, the Washington Post reported, “A single check can offer some financial breathing room, but it won’t fix the underlying cost-of-living crisis that so many American families face every month.” Another empty promise like the canceled checks funded by Trump’s tariffs. Then there’s Trump’s trick to pay some Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees $500. This won’t lower exorbitant ACA premiums caused when Republicans let ACA tax credits expire.

Senator Baldwin said, “Instead of actually changing course, (Trump’s) just trying to pay off voters. … Wisconsin families don’t want more campaign gimmicks and empty promises; they need real relief.” Vote Democratic change on November 3.

Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.