Every election cycle, politicians make bold promises about tackling the biggest issues facing everyday people. They rally support with sweeping plans for change, convincing voters that this time will be different. And yet, time and time again, those promises remain just that—words with no real action behind them. Whether it’s healthcare, wages, or infrastructure, the same issues get recycled every few years, leaving people frustrated and disillusioned. Here are some of the biggest, most life-changing policies politicians love to promise but never seem to actually fix.
1. Universal Medicare For All
Every election, politicians bring up the idea of universal healthcare like it’s some revolutionary new concept—despite the fact that most developed countries already have it. The promise is simple: ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to medical care without fear of bankruptcy. And yet, the U.S. remains stuck with an expensive, inefficient system where millions are uninsured or underinsured. According to Bernie Sanders’ official website, “Medicare for All would provide comprehensive health care coverage, free at the point of service, to all people in the United States.”
While some politicians claim to support Medicare for All, once elected, they either water down the plan into something unrecognizable or abandon it altogether, citing “budget concerns” or “lack of bipartisan support.” Meanwhile, the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket, leaving everyday people drowning in medical debt while insurance companies rake in record profits.
2. To Crack Down On Fracking
During campaign season, politicians love to talk tough about protecting the environment, and a big part of that is promising to crack down on fracking. They highlight the dangers—water contamination, increased earthquakes, and massive carbon emissions—claiming that serious regulations (or even outright bans) are coming. And yet, fracking not only continues but expands. According to The Allegheny Front, environmental groups are pressuring politicians to follow through on promises to regulate the fracking industry more strictly, citing concerns about health effects and environmental damage.
Why? Because once in office, those same politicians bow to the powerful oil and gas industry, quietly approving new drilling projects while hoping no one notices. Campaign donations from fossil fuel companies make it clear where their real priorities lie, and promises to protect the planet get pushed aside in favor of corporate profits.
3. Tackling Climate Change
Climate change is one of the biggest existential threats facing humanity, and politicians never fail to acknowledge it when running for office. They talk about green energy, reducing emissions, and holding corporations accountable for pollution. But once they win? The urgency disappears. According to ABC News, presidential candidates’ stances on climate change largely follow party lines, with some proposing ambitious plans to tackle the issue while others downplay its significance.
Instead of meaningful legislation, we get half-measures, weak compromises, and vague “net zero by 2050” goals that kick the can down the road. Big oil and gas companies continue to operate unchecked, and subsidies for renewable energy often pale in comparison to the handouts given to fossil fuel industries. Meanwhile, extreme weather events intensify, and communities suffer while leaders drag their feet.
4. Lowering The Cost Of Groceries
With food prices soaring, politicians are quick to acknowledge the problem and promise relief. They vow to crack down on price gouging, increase competition in the grocery industry, and ensure that families aren’t struggling to afford basic necessities. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices are expected to continue rising in 2025, with an overall increase of 3.4% forecast for food prices.
But instead of real solutions, we get empty speeches and vague statements about “working with the private sector.” Meanwhile, grocery store chains report record profits, suppliers raise costs unchecked, and everyday people are left paying more and more for essentials. The only thing that seems to be inflating faster than food prices is the number of broken promises from politicians.
5. Cracking Down On Inflating House Prices
Housing prices have reached crisis levels, making homeownership unattainable for millions. Politicians love to campaign on fixing this, promising to regulate real estate investors, crack down on corporate landlords, and make housing more affordable. But once elected, they do little more than talk.
Developers and real estate moguls have deep pockets and powerful lobbying groups, ensuring that any real attempts at reform are quietly buried. Instead of taking real action, politicians focus on performative gestures—like offering small tax credits or first-time buyer programs that barely scratch the surface of the real problem.
6. Making Student Loan Forgiveness A Reality
Few things get voters more hopeful than promises of student loan forgiveness. It’s a huge issue, affecting millions of people who were told that education was the key to success—only to be saddled with insurmountable debt. During election season, candidates promise relief, sometimes even full cancellation.
But after the votes are counted, those promises quickly fizzle out. Instead of sweeping forgiveness, we get complicated repayment plans, limited one-time relief, or outright reversals. Meanwhile, interest keeps accruing, and borrowers remain stuck in a cycle of debt while universities and lenders continue making billions.
7. Raising The Minimum Wage To A Livable Level
Every few years, politicians reignite the discussion about raising the minimum wage, acknowledging that the cost of living has skyrocketed while wages have remained stagnant. They promise that workers will finally earn enough to survive without working multiple jobs.
But after the election, those promises stall in endless congressional debates, with excuses about the impact on businesses or “the economy.” Meanwhile, inflation continues, rent rises, and those at the bottom of the pay scale are left struggling to get by on wages that haven’t kept up with reality for decades.
8. Ensuring Affordable Childcare For Working Parents
Childcare costs have become so high that, for many parents, working full-time barely covers daycare expenses. Politicians recognize this struggle and often campaign on making childcare more affordable or even subsidizing it.
Yet, once in office, those proposals either get gutted or buried under “budget concerns.” Instead of real solutions, parents are left navigating an increasingly broken system where quality childcare is either unaffordable or impossible to find.
9. Fixing The Broken Public Transportation System
Public transportation in many areas is outdated, unreliable, and wildly inefficient. Every election cycle, politicians promise major investments to modernize transit systems, expand services, and make commuting easier.
But these promises rarely turn into action. Infrastructure projects are underfunded, maintenance is neglected, and instead of improvements, commuters are left with delays, breakdowns, and fare hikes.
10. Holding Billionaires Accountable For Paying Taxes
Everyday people pay their fair share of taxes, but billionaires? Not so much. Politicians love to talk about closing tax loopholes and ensuring the ultra-wealthy contribute to society like everyone else.
Yet, despite the tough talk, nothing changes. Billionaires continue to exploit tax codes, stash money in offshore accounts, and pay lower effective rates than middle-class workers. The system remains rigged, and politicians seem more interested in protecting wealth than redistributing it.
11. Ending Corporate Money In Politics
Politicians claim to care about getting big money out of politics, promising reforms to stop corporations from buying influence. But once elected, they continue taking donations from the same special interest groups they swore to fight against.
Campaign finance reform always seems to be “in progress” but never actually happens, ensuring that corporations continue to dictate policy while voters are left with empty promises.
12. Making Higher Education More Affordable
Education is supposed to be the gateway to opportunity, yet tuition costs have skyrocketed, making college out of reach for many. Politicians vow to make higher education affordable, whether through lower tuition costs, expanded grants, or tuition-free community colleges.
But little progress is ever made. Student debt keeps climbing, universities keep raising prices, and the promise of accessible education remains just that—a promise.
13. Actually Addressing The Homelessness Crisis
Every election cycle, politicians acknowledge that homelessness is a growing problem. They promise to invest in affordable housing, expand mental health services, and provide real support for those in need. But once the campaigning stops, so do the efforts to fix it.
Instead of real solutions, we get temporary band-aids—sweeps that push unhoused people out of public spaces without actually addressing the root causes. The cost of housing keeps rising, shelters remain underfunded, and mental health services are inaccessible to those who need them most. Meanwhile, developers and landlords continue making record profits, and homelessness becomes even more deeply ingrained in society.
14. Fixing The Country’s Crumbling Infrastructure
Bridges are deteriorating, roads are full of potholes, and outdated water systems are putting communities at risk. Politicians love to promise massive infrastructure projects, claiming they’ll invest billions into rebuilding the country’s foundation. But the results? Usually a few flashy projects while the real problems are ignored.
Every few years, leaders roll out ambitious infrastructure plans, but bureaucratic delays, budget cuts, and corporate interests get in the way. Meanwhile, essential repairs are postponed, public transit remains unreliable, and the people who depend on these systems are left dealing with the consequences of political inaction.
15. Providing Real, Long-Term Solutions For Gun Control
After every tragic mass shooting, politicians step up to the podium, offering “thoughts and prayers” before making bold promises about gun reform. They talk about universal background checks, closing loopholes, and banning high-capacity weapons—but nothing ever changes.
Why? Because once the media coverage fades, so does the urgency. Lobbyists for the gun industry pour millions into political campaigns, ensuring that any real attempts at reform get blocked. While other countries have taken decisive action to prevent gun violence, U.S. politicians remain stuck in endless debates, allowing mass shootings to continue as if they’re just part of normal life.
