Trump's Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amid Aftermath of US-ROK Exercise Reduction

According to Professor Kim Sang-jo, a poll conducted on August 24 showed President Trump's job approval rating at 31-32%, a new low.

This is interpreted as a result of inflation-driven high prices and the burden of ongoing wars increasing voter dissatisfaction. Democrats received 36% support for their ability to solve cost-of-living issues, surpassing Republicans (28%).

In U.S. elections, the economy serves as the most important issue for voters, as per the old adage: "It's the economy, stupid."

The success of foreign policy also tends to be evaluated based on real-life economic situations, such as gasoline prices or grocery costs.

The U.S. President does not have the authority to cancel midterm elections. However, concerns among voters arose when it became known that the Trump administration had reviewed documents related to intervening in voting equipment and voter registration.

These actions heightened doubts about the possibility of restricting voting rights.

In the American South, after the emancipation of slaves in the 1860s, various methods were employed to restrict the voting rights of non-mainstream white people of color.

These included literacy tests to verify constitutional interpretation skills and poll taxes, which required proof of tax payment to exclude the poor and Black citizens.

Additionally, the grandfather clause exceptionally allowed white people with past tax payment records to vote.

As the Trump administration advocated for voting site improvements, such as mandatory photo ID presentation for voting, concerns grew among Americans that their suffrage might be restricted.

These actions raise questions about the fairness of election rules and decrease the reliability of election results, increasing the potential for social conflict.

As the Iran war drags on, the political value of the North Korea card has grown, and it is also suggested that it may have been used as leverage due to President Trump's complaints about exercise costs and South Korea's uncooperative stance regarding the Iran war.

Trump aimed to build his image through summit diplomacy achievements, viewed alliances as a form of transaction to raise cost issues, and also considered the realistic problem of troop shortages.

There is a strong perception that while they may seem like a cost in normal times, they are indispensable in an emergency.

Representatives Tim Tillis and Mark Kelly demanded the reversal of the exercise reduction, emphasizing that the US-ROK combined defense capability can only be maintained through repeated training.

The conservative camp criticizes that it is undesirable to weaken deterrence first when North Korea has made no concessions, while the progressive camp argues that it is unfair to use alliance exercises as leverage because South Korea did not support U.S. military actions in the Middle East.

The U.S. homelessness problem is easier to understand by comparing it to a 'bathtub' where water continuously flows in, rather than a bottomless pit. Homelessness is constantly generated by various factors such as rising rents, job loss, and medical expenses.

The government is only providing stopgap measures like shelters, emergency rooms, and temporary housing, akin to wiping water from the floor. Fundamental solutions are difficult because 'drains' like affordable housing, treatment, and job provision are blocked.

The total number of homeless people in the U.S. is approximately 750,000, with chronic homelessness surging by 81% over the past decade to 260,000.

California alone has spent about $24 billion over the past five to six years to address homelessness, but tangible results such as a reduction in homelessness remain minimal.

Some criticize that the homelessness problem remains unresolved, and instead, a 'homelessness industrial complex' is being maintained. There are accusations that taxpayers' money is being unnecessarily wasted in this outsourced industry.

In downtown areas where homeless people are concentrated, most commercial zoning regulations make it difficult to construct residential facilities.

Due to these zoning rules, it is almost institutionally impossible to build permanent rental housing in the form of apartments.