The 2026 Midterm Elections: What Kind of America Do We Want to Be?

 

The 2026 Midterm Elections: What Kind of America Do We Want to Be?

For the next few weeks, we need to focus on the U.S. midterm elections, with voting ending on November 3. Early voting is already available in some states, and I encourage every eligible American to vote early rather than wait until the last moment.

Those who are afraid of ICE harassment simply because of their skin color should not have to live in such fear. No American should have to carry a passport to prove that they belong in the nation where they were born and have lived their entire lives. When people begin to fear their own government, we need to ask ourselves what is happening to this nation.

I understand that we may have political differences, but let's look at the kitchen-table issues that every American is facing. Assume that your monthly living cost was $1,500. If that cost goes up by 25%, you are paying another $375 every month, or $4,500 a year. A 45% increase means another $675 every month. These are illustrative figures, but they show how rising prices of food, fuel, housing, and other essential goods are eating into the savings of ordinary Americans.

And then there are the wars. I question why America is involving itself in military conflicts on behalf of Israel when ordinary Americans are struggling to pay their bills. When a nation with a fraction of America's population can disrupt energy supplies across the world, what has America gained from its military involvement? America may still have the world's most powerful military, but what good is that power if its people are left paying the price? Who is making money from these wars, and who is paying the bills? These are the questions we need to ask when we sit down at our kitchen tables and try to balance our budgets.

The rights of ordinary Americans are equally important. Air travelers should not have to fight airlines for refunds, compensation, and fair treatment. The government is supposed to protect the people, not allow powerful corporations to operate under their own rules.

Some Americans believe that tougher immigration policies are the answer to our problems. But let's not forget our own history. We live on land that was home to Indigenous peoples long before Europeans arrived. Immigrants from other nations helped build our railroads, cities, and infrastructure, while enslaved Africans were forced to provide labor that helped build this nation's wealth. America became what it is today because of the contributions of people from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds. A nation of immigrants cannot be reduced to a nation of people with only one skin color.

My friends, this is not just an election about who will control Congress. It is an opportunity to rediscover the soul of this nation. We may disagree on immigration, the economy, or foreign policy, but we should never disagree on the basic rights of every American to live with dignity, freedom, and equal protection under the law.

For the next few weeks, I will continue examining these issues and the records of those seeking office. I encourage every eligible American to participate in this election, examine the candidates and their policies, and decide what kind of nation they want for themselves and their children.

November 3, 2026, is Election Day. The question before every American is simple: Do we want a nation where everyone enjoys equal rights and dignity, or one where the color of your skin determines how you are treated? The future of America belongs to its people, and every eligible American deserves the freedom to make their voice heard.