Democrats must seize foreign policy moment

Three crises voters care about most

Tuesday's election showed Americans are deeply concerned about endless wars, political corruption, and the high cost of living. These three issues are deeply interrelated and must be addressed together.

Democrats must face a hard truth

President Donald Trump's abuses of power and unilateral warmaking are not a break from Washington's militarist mindset but a particularly aggressive expression of it. Past Democratic policies contributed to today's crisis.

Domestic threats exceed foreign ones

Political polarization, government corruption, oligarch dominance, and a president who launches unauthorized military interventions pose more immediate danger to Americans than any foreign enemy.

Democrats gain investigative power

When Democrats take control of Congress in January, they will have considerable power to challenge Trump administration corruption. Control of committees and the congressional calendar provides opportunity for oversight.

End the Iran war immediately

The first and most urgent task is ending the Iran war, a reckless and unpopular conflict that has become even less popular as Americans have felt its effects on their wallets.

Use funding power to stop war

Democrats should oppose all funding for the military, including blocking votes on the National Defense Authorization Act, to put an end to hostilities in Iran. They should threaten government shutdown if necessary.

Deadline for government funding

December eleven is the deadline for a continuing resolution to keep the government funded and operating. This is when Democrats could threaten to withhold votes to stop Trump's war.

Examine continuity of military force

Democrats must examine how Trump's military violence connects to past uses of force by both parties. The Biden administration's support for Israel's actions in Gaza laid groundwork for the Iran war.

Corruption is voters' top concern

According to a mid-October CNBC All-America Economic Survey, voters are more concerned about government corruption than any other issue, including high grocery and gas prices.

Americans see corruption at highest level

In September, Gallup reported that Americans' perceptions of government corruption in the U.S. are at their highest level in twenty years, with eighty-nine percent of U.S. adults saying it is widespread.

Investigate Trump's corrupt dealings

Democrats should expose foreign gifts to Trump, conflicts of interest by family members, contracts awarded to Trump's oligarch donors, and the selling of pardons.U.S.

“global slush fund”

Enforce existing anti-corruption laws

Effective anticorruption does not require new legislation but merely enforcement of existing laws. Democrats should restore enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Reform campaign finance system

The United States allows what is essentially legalized bribery through its campaign finance system. Congress must legislate a response to the Supreme Court's two thousand ten Citizens United decision.

Fix the Federal Election Commission

Congress must reform the Federal Election Commission by providing resources to investigate campaign finance crimes and restoring congressional appointments to the commission.

Connect foreign policy to cost of living

All anticorruption and foreign policy steps must connect to voters' top concern: the high cost of living. Democrats should address tariffs, gas prices from the Iran war, and the power of tech oligarchs.

Build foundation for 2029 agenda

Many efforts may not produce new laws in the next two years but could become the backbone of a winning agenda for Congress and a Democratic administration in twenty twenty-nine.