If you’re a supporter of former President Donald Trump, you may want to enjoy the “good times” while they last. While Trump’s pro-business rhetoric and America-first policies may feel like a breath of fresh air to many, his economic agenda contains contradictions that could create long-term consequences for the nation — especially if deeper structural reforms aren’t addressed.
For example, unless Trump eliminates the federal minimum wage law, and allows the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates when necessary — without political interference — his administration risks repeating the very mistakes that fueled economic instability in the past.
You Can’t Save the Welfare State Without Taxing Productivity
Trump campaigned on protecting Social Security and Medicare, two of the largest entitlement programs in the country. But to “save” these cradle-to-grave welfare programs, the federal government will need to generate massive revenue — and that revenue must come from sources that can actually be taxed.
The private sector — particularly big industry — is the engine of America’s income tax base. Employees pay taxes only when there are productive jobs to be taxed. Public servants, on the other hand, do not truly pay taxes in the same way. Their income is either funded by taxes collected from the private sector, or — increasingly — from deficit spending backed by the Federal Reserve. That means a growing portion of public sector compensation adds directly to the national debt.
The Real Problem Isn’t Just Debt — It’s Regulation Without Accountability
It’s easy to say that debt doesn’t matter. But the real danger of a large and unchecked national debt is that it removes the natural constraints on government expansion. When politicians believe they can borrow endlessly without consequence, they begin to create layers of unnecessary regulation, expand bureaucracies, and interfere with free markets — often in ways that are destructive.
The result? A skilled labor shortage.
When governments heavily tax and overregulate those who produce the most value, these individuals often stop producing — not out of laziness, but because the incentives are gone. If people begin to feel their time, energy, and skills are not properly rewarded, they simply opt out.
Worse than a general labor shortage is a shortage of skilled labor, because these workers have more options. Many turn to unionization, demand better conditions, or simply exit high-regulation markets altogether. It’s a trend that companies like Hyundai — currently expanding operations in the U.S. — must now navigate.
Hyundai’s Labor Troubles and the Union Factor
Recent reports suggest that Hyundai, a South Korean auto manufacturer, is facing unique labor and operational challenges — both abroad and in its U.S. operations. South Korea is known for having strong labor unions, and strikes are not uncommon. As Hyundai expands its electric vehicle and battery production to the U.S., it faces different but equally complex issues, including the threat of labor union pressures, price controls, and now, immigration raids on its Georgia-based facilities.
Unions tend to demand price controls, job security, and benefits that — while well-intentioned — can ultimately make new projects economically unsustainable. It’s no secret that climate-related industries, such as EV battery production, already depend heavily on government subsidies. Add union demands on top, and suddenly the whole model starts to look less like innovation and more like corporate welfare.
Public Policy Built on Popularity, Not Principle
Trump’s agenda to bring jobs back home sounds great in theory. But in practice, when coupled with a desire to also preserve entitlements and protect unions, the economic model begins to unravel. His administration, like many before it, is attempting to micromanage market forces without addressing the root issues — namely, overregulation, unsustainable welfare programs, and rigid labor laws.
The U.S. auto industry doesn’t struggle because of innovation failures. It struggles because of artificial wage floors, overbearing unions, and government interference that has made free-market competition nearly impossible. Without these barriers, America might see an explosion of new automakers, each competing to offer better, more affordable vehicles.
Instead, we live in a time where companies are bailed out or sponsored by the government — not because they offer value, but because they align with political goals like Net Zero or ESG compliance. This erodes capitalism and fuels corruption, turning competition into cronyism.
A Christian Perspective on Freedom, Labor, and Truth
At its heart, this is not just an economic issue — it’s a spiritual issue. God created us to be free, to have liberty, and to make voluntary choices. That includes our economic decisions, our labor, and our willingness to serve.
Jesus Christ never forced people to follow Him. He gave them the choice. In the same way, a government that forces economic behavior — whether through taxes, mandates, or regulations — is moving away from freedom and closer to tyranny.
Some Christians today wrongly align their faith with socialist policies, mistaking God’s call to love and serve with a call to compulsory redistribution. But God desires our voluntary obedience, not coercion. Just as we cannot be forced into salvation, we should not be forced into economic servitude.
“Evil shall slay the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” — Psalm 34:21
Whether it’s a unionized factory, a government-mandated wage, or a subsidized EV program, whenever people attempt to replace God-given liberty with man-made control, the end result is always destruction. That is the natural consequence of rebellion against God’s design for freedom and stewardship.
A Final Word
Although Donald Trump may provide a needed reprieve from the failures of previous administrations, we should be clear-eyed about the long-term implications of his policies. He’s not a conservative in the classical sense — he’s a populist, trying to make as many people as possible happy. But even Jesus Christ didn’t attempt to please everyone. He presented the truth, gave people a choice, and called them to a higher standard.
We, too, must choose.
Will we continue down the road of economic coercion, government dependence, and corporate favoritism? Or will we return to the path of freedom, truth, and voluntary service, both to God and to one another?
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.
In Him, there is freedom — not just spiritual, but economic and moral freedom as well. He shows us the power of love, the value of liberty, and the possibility of a freedom-based global economy. But if we choose tyranny instead, we should not be surprised by the consequences.
The writing is already on the wall.