Here we sit, November 2025, one year post presidential election and one year pre midterms. As I wrap up my 4th rewatch of Scandal I find myself more and more understanding of Olivia Pope’s apoliticism despite her livelihood revolving around politics. The constant stream of information, opinions, and narratives have become an overwhelming conglomerate to navigate.
So often we speak of the ill will of polarized sides. Well today, I would like to speak still of the ill will but one of which both our parties share. In our piece last September, I referenced Eisenhower’s farewell address and his warning against the military industrial complex. It is with great sadness, a year later, I listen to that speech again, bemused by the state of our global conflicts and the United States’ role in them.
Though an elementary understanding, a facet of growing up Democrat (for myself at least) was opposition to War. In the early 2000s, the party led with a complex understanding of the conflict in the Middle East and America’s role and responsibilities in it, not to excuse our enemies or push Anti American narratives, but to really evaluate the reason for such tremendous loss of life. In 2023, when I heard RFK Jr., he spoke of his father and uncle’s mission for the United States to lead with economic not militant power. In speaking on the Iraq & Afghanistan wars he said “No they don’t hate us for our freedoms, they hate us because we built military bases on their holy lands.” These nuanced views were what I felt once led conversations on the left.
So now in my mid 20s, it absolutely shocks me when we’re at the DNC last year championing our military force. Now, I do not claim to be a pacifist, and I have the deepest respect for the men and women of our armed forces. I understand the necessity of a strong military but above all else I do lose sleep over the killing of young people, both citizen and soldier, regardless of nationality, religion, ethnic makeup. Especially when the comfort from our elected officials is supposed to come from statements like “don’t worry the money, is coming back in US military contracts”.
On the other side of the aisle, despite disagreements and doubts, I did hold onto a quiet optimism that the current administration would follow through on their promises to swiftly end the conflict in Ukraine and be an administration of peace. So far, a disappointment to say the least.
And then, of course, the “inspiration” of this piece (if you can call it that). The one thing both parties seem to agree on; our unwavering support for Israel. For several years, I did not take a claim to have a strong stance on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It was not a topic I felt I ever gave enough time to thoroughly and concretely hold an opinion on. However at this point in time, I cannot fathom how we can continue to turn a blind eye, let alone fund, the decimation of the region and its people.
While there may be an announced ceasefire, concerns over our allegiance are not even minutely eased. The bipartisan issue, the one we’ve come to reach across the aisle, is unwavering financial and military support for a country that is not our own? Not to be the bleeding heart liberal cliche but I cannot fathom how quickly and practically unanimously we approve aid for these proxy wars but not for own own children and families to eat this last month.
That is not to oversimplify our own domestic problems. I have a far greater understanding of the complexities of our world than to assume “if money doesn’t go to X it can just go to Y”. What I’m questioning and criticizing is the priorities and agreements of those in power. I often think of this quote from former President Obama’s 2004 DNC speech, “Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don’t want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon.” I don’t think you will find an American citizen on any end of the spectrum who would disagree.
The underlying flaw this issue further reveals in our own government: most people I interact with seem to agree, regardless of political affiliation but the vast majority of our elected officials seem to be in opposition. Now maybe it’s an affinity bias, the algorithm, untrustworthy pollsters but once again what is this disconnect between the will of the people and those elected to carry it out? It seems today the positions of our elected officials on our participation in these wars no longer falls on lines of Republican or Democrat but instead on FundedBy or NotFundedBy foreign military lobbies with majority falling to the latter.
So I will hold hands with my family at Thanksgiving dinner and in my list of things I am thankful for: the people in my life, my health, my education. I will be grateful for the men and women who sincerely and selflessly serve in our armed forces, the fact that I was born in a place and time where I am even allowed to write and publish this piece. I’ll be grateful that as never had to hear the pitch of a missile outside my window, never had to search for a child in the rubble, never felt a bullet pierce my skin or a MK84 detach my limbs. And I’ll continue to pray for those that have, those that do.
Deborah
Coming from practically the other side of the aisle politically, I have to say I am in total agreement with Natalie when it comes to the current state of affairs. So, I guess we are the poster children for bipartisanship. Her sentiments were so well said and representative of my feelings that I almost forewent my viewpoint as I didn’t think I could add anything additional in such an eloquent format.
It was after reading an obituary of an extraordinary man that made me change my mind. I’m hoping this won’t just sound like a rant as my feelings on this are quite passionate. Although I grew up in a Democratic home as I got to adulthood and somewhat understood the political system, I felt I didn’t align with either party totally, so I identified with the fairly new 3rd party -Independent.
Independent, not technically a political party in the true sense of the word is someone who as I just stated has no party affiliation. They vote on the candidate that resonates with one’s own views. Independents continue to grow reflecting broad dissatisfaction with both major parties. Registered voters by party affiliation for 2024 were all very close, Democrats 36-38%, Republicans 30-32%, Independents 27-31% and other 3-4 %. So as one can see, Independents play a huge part in how an election will turn out.
My political engagement during my life, I have to say was not as robust as Natalie’s or as it appears this newer generation. I’m going to attribute that to unfortunately “social media”. We never had news at our fingertips every minute of every day. We had to go look for it… hence turn on the TV and put the news ON. Honestly, there were just many times I was too busy living life…. Unless there was something catastrophic that would affect me personally, I really was working, paying bills, getting married, having kids, and trying to enjoy life.
Fast forward to myself in later life, with the introduction of social media, one cannot escape politics. So yes, I have been very much more involved and better informed. And when I say better informed, I say that loosely as half the time I don’t’ know what to believe (but I do research and fact check relentlessly). With that being said, the one thing that is absolutely obvious is this administration’s failure to remove ourselves from other nation’s wars.
One might say well… there is a cease fire in Gaza. Ukraine-Russia? At least they are trying to negotiate peace with all their talks with both sides. What happened to “I will end the war in 24 hours?” Easier said than done Mr. President? This is one of the many reasons you were voted in: to be the President who wants Peace….
What bothers most Americans is the fact that WE the taxpayers fund these incessant wars. If we truly are America first, why do we keep inserting ourselves in other people’s business? Oh wait, hold on …. Let me rant…. the military industrial complex as Natalie subtly points out – MONEY… It’s always about the money… which leads to exactly what we have in this country CORRUPTION on BOTH sides… I’m tired of having to chose a side that is not our own…You can say I abandoned my MAGA affiliation as I really think MAGA has lost its meaning- maybe from overuse. We seem to have a way of doing that these days… reiterate a word or acronym so much it loses ALL its meaning.
All I know is I just read an obituary of a 95-year-old man who had parents who did not want him. He and his brother were taken in by an alcoholic grandmother who also couldn’t rise to the occasion. Luckily, the paternal grandparents stepped in. The young man did not let adversity shape him. He served in the Marine Corps, married his high school sweetheart, took a job with the local gas company and excelled. After his family was established, he pursued his lifelong dream of being an artist. To say the least, he was an accomplished and amazing father, husband, and artist. He became one of the best selling artists in the United States. He lived the American Dream.
Shouldn’t we focus on Americans? Dreams like RobertCaulfield’shttps://www.jmstringergallery.com/robert-caulfield are becoming harder and harder due to the current state of our economy. And socialism is NOT the answer. We cannot be sending all of our tax dollars abroad when our own state of affairs is in a freefall. The American Dream is slipping away. America is falling into the global trap… neither party wanting to make life better for Americans. They are all are getting fat and happy off of the many Americans that work hard and are trying to get ahead. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but the Brave, the Beautiful and Bipartisan is disappearing right before our eyes. If only they could agree to put America first. And is the “American Dream” turning into just that- a Dream.