Do the GOP candidates understand, REALLY understand why Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond’s” song is resonating across the country and world? I have my doubts.

They were all asked about this song. They were all asked if they are Rich Men North of Richmond. And well, their answers left me wondering if they truly understand what was being asked of them. 

Fox News host Martha MacCallum kicked off the debate with a round of questions for the candidates based on the number one song on the Billboard chart, “Rich Men North of Richmond.”

Its “lyrics speak of alienation, of deep frustration with the state of government and of this country,” MacCallum said before asking DeSantis to answer first: “Why is this song striking such a nerve in this country right now?”

“Our country is in decline,” DeSantis responded. “This decline is not inevitable. It’s a choice. We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline.”

Farmville, Va.,-based Oliver Anthony self-released the country-folk song on Aug. 11 to wide acclaim.

As many have pointed out in recent weeks since Oliver’s lament went viral, there is still a lot that is great about this country. And they are correct. Yet we ALSO have a country in decline for a multitude of reasons. 

Rampant inflation even as the Biden Administration touts how we are doing better at home, except everything costs more. EVERYTHING. Mortgage rates have gone from 2% to 9% in just three short years. Groceries are up 25% or more. 

Government is a problem. Crime and coddling DA’s are a problem. The spike in mental health issues since the Covid lockdowns, and the learning loss because of the lockdowns are a problem. 

While I’m listening to the debate, I’m also hearing some ideal types of solutions, but I’m not necessarily hearing that they are all TRULY listening to ALL Americans. 

DeSantis strategy, and it is pretty effective: Gimme a topic. Yeah, I did that thing. Let me tell you what I did. It happened in Florida. Results.

— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) August 24, 2023

Will it resonate enough? Or will one of the other candidates speak to the lament?

"We are in the middle of a national identity crisis"- @VivekGRamaswamy #GOPDebate

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 24, 2023

Well, yes. We are. But I’ll ask again. Are any of the GOP candidates HEARING what Americans are singing in their every day lives? 

We are being told our choices of gas stoves are all wrong. We are being told we are supposed to go GREEN and spend exponential amounts of money on EV’s with exceptionally poor driving ranges, solar panels on homes, and washing machines that don’t get our clothes clean. 

We are told oil and natural gas are bad while China opens more coal mines. We watch while there are ZERO consequences for mostly peaceful riots, yet parents are targeted by the DOJ and others. While Hunter will face consequences probably never? 

“The problem is that these prosecutors in these localities … are refusing to do their job and to arrest violent criminals,” Christie said.

“So what a President Christie would do is appoint an attorney general who would instruct each of the 93 US attorneys that they are to take over the prosecution of violent crime in every one of those cities that are failing to do so.”

“When Hunter Biden fills out a fake application, a false application for a gun permit, and … then you have a Justice Department that walks away from those charges, we’re telling people that the law doesn’t apply to everybody,” he added. “In a Christie administration. He would go to jail for 10 years.”

As you watch the debate or watch the recap of the debate, think about this? Our government, our LEADERS are Constitutionally mandated to LISTEN TO US. Are they listening?? Or are they all Rich Men North of Richmond?

Feature Photo Credit: Original artwork by Victory Girls Darleen Click