The Weight of the System: How Today's Government Is Failing Its People
- Wilberforce University
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
05 November 2025
Political Commentary
By Miss. Takiyah S. Mabene
Digital Media Major
Washington, DC - When we talk about the current state of the government, a lot of people feel the same way—tired, frustrated, and unheard. It seems like every headline, new policy, or election cycle brings more promises that never really reach the people who need them most. For many working-class Americans, especially Black and brown communities and immigrants, life feels like it's getting harder instead of better. From rising costs of living to cuts in social programs, the government's actions—or sometimes, its lack of action—are creating more barriers than opportunities. It's not just about politics anymore; it's about survival. People are working longer hours just to afford basic needs like housing, healthcare, and groceries, while wages stay the same and rent keeps climbing.
"It's like the government doesn't realize how much regular people are struggling," said Jordan Thomas, a senior political science major. "We're told to vote and participate, but when we do, nothing really changes for the people who are actually hurting."
For Black and brown Americans, this struggle isn't new—it is generational. The system has never been built with equality in mind, and even today, the effects of old policies still shape how communities live and what resources they have access to. From underfunded schools to over-policed neighborhoods, the same issues keep showing up in different forms. It's hard to believe in "equal opportunity" when the playing field has never really been even. Immigrants, too, are feeling the pressure. Many come to the U.S. seeking a better life, but what they often find is a system stacked against them—one that makes it hard to get fair pay, affordable housing, or even basic protection under the law. Constant changes in immigration policy, language barriers, and discrimination in the workplace make daily life even harder. It's like the American Dream has turned into a race with no finish line.
"My parents came here hoping things would be different," said Maria Lopez, a first-generation college student. "They work so hard, but it feels like no matter how much they give, the system keeps moving the goalpost. It's exhausting watching them fight just to stay afloat."
Meanwhile, political leaders spend more time arguing than acting. Issues like healthcare, education, and affordable housing are turned into talking points instead of priorities. And while those in power debate, families are struggling to put food on the table. The frustration runs deep because people can see where the money goes—and it is rarely to the neighborhoods that need it most. But despite all the division and disappointment, people are waking up. More young people are paying attention, organizing, and using their voices to call out injustice. Social media has become a powerful tool for spreading awareness and demanding accountability. Communities are learning that waiting for the government to fix everything isn't enough—it's going to take collective action and real leadership from within.
The truth is that the government's choices don't just affect numbers and budgets—they affect people's lives. And right now, too many people are falling through the cracks. The system may feel broken, but the people aren't. They're speaking out, showing up, and refusing to accept that struggle is just a normal part of life.
Maybe that's where the change starts—not from the top down, but from the ground up. Because if history has shown us anything, it's that progress has always come from the people who were told to wait their turn—and decided not to.
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