BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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I read something a few days ago that made me think about all the people I’ve talked to over the past few months about politics.
People telling me they’re over politics and the affairs of the United States.
This isn’t a good time to give up.
As a journalist, I watch with as much clarity and intention as possible, but lately it seems the structure has begun to implode from within.
Many wiser than me have wondered and seem to be fairly certain that this obvious implosion was intended by some all along.
It starts with breaking the people down. Giving them so much to worry about, they don’t have the time or the energy to do anything else.
And they certainly don’t have the time to educate themselves on who is the best candidate to vote for come March and November.
And that leaves us here where we are right now.
It’s definitely NOT the right time to give up.
Let’s start with the upcoming elections in 2026.
Americans can make a change, and it’s both sides of the aisle that need a sweeping out. It isn’t just a red or blue push out the back door, it must be a multi-colored affair.
I kind of tend to agree with the people saying, “just vote the incumbents out because business as usual isn’t acceptable anymore.”
Think of it this way; your silence does not make you neutral it makes you complicit.
Silence is a decision. Decisions are made on purpose.
At this point most people are not uninformed, they’re merely hiding. They’re choosing comfort over courage.
To that end, we must all remember that even when we are dead history will remember… and so will your children.
On the upside, there are a number of items the blue and red have in common.
Sure, there are more the two parties disagree on but remember last week my column was about the 28 “big deal items” that all the parties agree must be implemented now.
I’ll say it again, let’s start with those 28 items.
Let’s take notice of what the American people want and how those politicians in office often seem to be in direct opposition to the overall ideas and needs of “We the People.”
Now what?
Replace them!
That’s what I’ve been suggesting.
Well, that is unless you are okay with endless spending while constituents must decide on a personal level whether to eat or buy gas to drive to work.
How many of my Republican and Democrat friends believe the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, at nearly $1 trillion, is within your budget?
Did your representative ask you about your thoughts on paying that much to foreign aid.
Let’s break the FI2026 National Defense Authorization Act bill down (www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119s1071enr/pdf/BILLS-119s1071enr.pdf) and you’ll see this isn’t just about military personnel pay increases and buying equipment.
The bill passed in Congress and the Senate voted 77-20 before passing it on for President Trump’s final signature last week.
And just for the record, Reuters pointed out this was a compromised version of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. Turns out it passed with a sum of $8 million added in addition to what the Pentagon had even ask for earlier this year.
Nevertheless, here are a few causes your money will be going to in 2026, in case you are trying to do your budget.
The bill provides $800 million for Ukraine – $400 million for each of the next two years - as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and Reuters explained this “Pays U.S. companies for weapons for Ukraine’s military. It also authorizes the Baltic Security Initiative and provides $175 million to support the defense of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.”
I know a lot of people who have not even heard of these countries much less have the desire to send military money in that direction.
Congress also uses this bill to fund initiatives that not only does offer military pay increases, but also defense contracts you probably won’t ever hear about even though you’re paying for it.
Defense News pointed out (www.defensenews.com/congress/2025/12/17/senate-passes-major-policy-bill-authorizing-900-billion-for-pentagon): “The bill sets us on a path to modernize our defense capabilities and augment our drone manufacturing, shipbuilding efforts, and the development of innovative low-cost weapons.”
Even better for the spenders, this is a discretionary defense spending bill so as I mentioned it’ll be funding things you don’t even know about like the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to “Strengthens activities related to the AUKUS agreement between the U.S., U.K. and Australia and provides new authorities for cooperating with Taiwan.”
Along with the $400 million to Ukraine (when will that psyop end because it’s getting way too expensive), Israel will be getting cash to the tune of $685 million including roughly $500 million for Israel’s missile defense systems like the Iron Dome, $80 million for an anti-tunneling programs, $70 million for counter drone systems, and $35 million for emerging military tech like AI and cyber warfare.
And correct me if I’m wrong, but do we not already send Israel $3 billion every year?
And the best part.
This NDA does not limit Congress; it gives them permission to send more money if they get the inkling that the first billion wasn’t enough. That money can also be sent in other ways not approved by the taxpayers like through appropriations, or emergency packages or even weapon transfers.
Appropriations, who is minding that store? In Texas, Ellis County’s very own Congressperson Jake Ellzey up for re-election sits on that committee so I bet if you can get a return call, he can explain that to you brilliantly.
In the end whether you like the war games or not, it does seem in a lot of cases the strings are being manipulated to the point most people can’t see who is really getting the money. Or, even why the government needs so much of your hard-earned cash.
I’ll admit the rabbit holes run deep, but it’s going to take everyone getting uncomfortable to reverse what isn’t working anymore.
Did anyone catch the recent statement by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “I demand that western governments do what is necessary to fight antisemitism and provide the required safety and security for Jewish communities worldwide. They would be well-advised to heed our warning. I demand action from them – now.”
Bibi knows the game well, otherwise he would not be “demanding” with such aplomb what the western governments had better do.
All the while in the end knowing it will be the United States taxpayer flipping the bill for this entire movie script once again. Has anyone else figured out yet the disturbing revelation that all the world is a stage.
And did anyone else feel that the end of Bibi’s message seemed like a veiled threat.
It didn’t make me want to help him at all. Zero warm and fuzzies.
Speaking of warm and fuzzy, visit the AIPAC tracking website to find out for your own warm and fuzzy just which politicians are receiving AIPAC dollars in your state.
There are 39 names on the AIPAC list from Texas at www.trackaipac.com/states/texas - here are a few receiving contributions:
John Cornyn – $488,929
Ted Cruz – 1,872,592
Dan Crenshaw – $233,395
Jake Ellzey – $133,042
Chip Roy– $44,479 (because he is running for Texas Attorney General)
Tony Gonzales – $2,041,343
Henry Cuellar – $2,358,894
Julie Johnson – $42,961
Wesley Hunt – $139,752
Decide if you’re okay living inside the cageless prison of the status quo. A status quo with the same incumbents in every election making the same promises and doing the opposite when they have you distracted.
Decide if you are okay with that cageless prison offering the same behavior, same money spending, wars, inner conflict, and bad ideas.
I’m certain most Americans want peace and compromise not war.
To that end $900 billion was just a little excessive.
A little excessive like everything else that in the end you do have the power to change.
Rita Cook is a freelance writer for The Ellis County Press. She can be reached at rcook13@earthlink.net.
