A political take arguing that US living costs are crushing regular people while money goes to wars and the wealthy — framed as bad for Trump and Republicans heading into the midterms.

• Healthcare, housing, food, gas, and electricity are all rising, and voters rank cost of living as their top worry.
• Republicans are reportedly worried their base won't show up for the midterms, while Democrats are fired up for change.
• The US is spending heavily on the military and a naval blockade of Iran instead of on people at home.
• Other countries show a different model — Japan and Korea offer fast, cheap healthcare with spending caps that prevent medical bankruptcy.
• China is pouring money into green energy and high-speed rail as the Iran war pushes oil prices up.

Outlook: Cost of living, especially healthcare, is shaping up to be the defining issue of the coming midterms.