With the midterm elections just days away, Americans are getting ready to choose which party will control Congress. I believe, and hope, that Republicans might do better than most polls are indicating. No matter what happens, I am deeply concerned about the direction of the Democratic Party and the possible effects of some of its leading policies.
My concerns go beyond just this election. They include national security, immigration, healthcare, and America’s relationship with Israel. These issues will shape our country’s future long after the campaign signs are gone.
Consider Iran.
I am still critical of how the Obama and Biden administrations dealt with Iran, especially their focus on negotiating with Tehran. While diplomacy is important in American foreign policy, I question whether these efforts did enough to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions or address its support for armed terrorist groups in the Middle East.
Some Democrats have criticized President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran and raised questions about whether Congress approved them. These constitutional questions are important, but so is the threat from Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Any future administration should explain how it plans to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons while also protecting American interests and those of our allies.
Immigration is another area of serious concern.
When it comes to immigration, I think the government has two main jobs: keeping our borders secure and protecting public safety. We can welcome legal immigrants and still enforce our immigration laws-these goals don’t have to conflict.
Americans should know whether future administrations will keep strong border enforcement and focus on removing people who are here illegally and have serious criminal records. These removals should be done efficiently and with proper legal protections.
The real question isn’t whether America should welcome immigrants. It’s whether our government can keep an orderly, legal immigration system while protecting everyone it serves.
Healthcare raises equally important questions.
I’m worried about plans to give the federal government a bigger role in healthcare. The Affordable Care Act expanded insurance coverage, but big problems remain, including high premiums, large deductibles, and a complicated healthcare system.
Before pushing for more government involvement, candidates should explain how their ideas would fix these problems without taking away patient choices or adding more red tape.
After years of political promises, Americans deserve real solutions that make healthcare more affordable and easier to access.
I am also very concerned about antisemitism and about the future of America’s relationship with Israel.
Throughout history, Jewish communities have faced persecution, discrimination, and violence. Such hatred must never be allowed to become normalized in America.
Sadly, I think some political and community leaders haven’t responded to antisemitic threats as urgently as they should.
Condemnation alone is insufficient.
Protecting Jewish Americans takes real action, steady enforcement of the law, and a strong commitment to making sure religious hatred is never accepted.
It’s fair to criticize Israeli government policies, just as it’s fair to criticize any democratic government. But threatening Jewish Americans or discriminating based on religion or ethnicity is a completely different issue.
America’s relationship with Israel also needs careful thought. Candidates should explain where they stand on Israel’s security, the threats from Iran and its allies, and the future of American support for one of our oldest partners in the Middle East.
What policies will keep America safe? How will we keep our borders secure while still honoring our tradition of lawful immigration? Can healthcare become more affordable without losing individual choice? And will our elected officials show through their actions-not just their words-that religious hatred has no place in America?
I think these questions deserve real answers.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY KEPT ITS PROMISES. THE REST IS UP TO YOU
Americans should ask for more than campaign slogans, political finger-pointing, and promises that vanish after the election.
Our country’s future deserves nothing less.
William Pollack has spent four decades owning and operating local radio stations, television stations, and movie theaters. He contributes to the Washington Examiner and Radio Ink Magazine.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]