The American people are itching for core progressive values implemented in their government. Though that may not seem to be the trend considering the results of our last election, President Donald Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail mimicked that of other populist leaders in regards to regime change, money in politics, various trade partnerships (TPP, NAFTA), protectionism, etc.

During the campaign, I distinctly remember that Trump conveyed those populist ideas significantly more than Hillary Clinton. When she lost the three key rust belt states, which all went blue in 2008 and 2012, the election was Trump's. These were supposed to be Democratic strongholds. What changed?

The message!

Obama ran on the promise of hope and economic change in the wake of the great recession. He also had a similar message for his 2012 campaign. By the time the 2014 midterms came around, people hadn't come to notice much of a substantial change in their everyday lives; which explains why Republicans won control of Congress that year.

In 2016, not only was the race set between the two most disliked nominees in almost all of American history, but it was the first real presidential race with the Republican running on an economically populist (and never mind extremely racist) message. The working-class voters had no one else to turn to but Trump for this economic hope they were longing for because they hated how "crooked Hillary" (pun-intended) is.

Unfortunately, Trump skipped over most of his winning campaign promises if that wasn't already been evident in his cabinet picks, executive orders and hawkish neoconservative foreign policy. Donald Trump bathes in the swamp. Thankfully people have been begun paying attention things like this and more generally with politics as a whole; 52 percent of respondents to a Pew Research poll say they pay more attention to politics since the election.

This is has been one step in the right direction to combat political culture and the collective action problem in the United States. But for the sake of the American people, this small step is not nearly enough, because our country is so far gone.

According to a Cambridge University study done in 2014, policy stances most important to the average American do not get translated into law; rather, the interests that favor the wealthy do. This has been an increasing problem in the United States, which is evident by the historically low approval ratings in Congress and trust levels in the American government as a whole. The study concludes that the United States functions more as an Oligarchy than a Democracy.

When you look at the issues that Americans care about, the overtones depict a trend that favors an increase in government spending. With this includes a majority of those polled who agree with increasing federal spending on veterans' services, education, infrastructure, and health care (in addition to Medicare). Similarly, a plurality of respondents favors an increase in federal spending on scientific research, environmental protection, social security, and assistance to the needy (in U.S.).

In addition to the progressive ideal Americans share with respect to government spending, most Americans also tend to share similar grievances with the U.S. tax system. Most respondents agree that the wealthiest Americans (60 percent) and corporations (62 percent) are not paying their fair share in taxes.

Progressive ideals, though highly stigmatized, still manage to poll well with average Americans; even self-described Republicans and conservatives. Showing that these issues clearly go past today's traditional party lines.

Unfortunately, at this point, a lot of people think that it's impossible to usher in a new non-partisan era of progressivism; the truth is, these goals are rational and very much achievable! It will just take a lot of work. Hell, the most of the American people are right there in agreement with you!

If we can make our priorities evident to our legislators through activism and organizing, we might be able to come together to make some kind of positive change in this current chaotic political climate, regardless of your party affiliation.