US Congressional Majorities Must Change This Midterm Election, Put Aside Political Party Division

Calling this one of the most important midterm elections of our lifetime may sound like another cliché in politics — but this time, the phrase is more than campaign-season hyperbole. This midterm is an opportunity to put a hard break on some very disturbing, dangerous and damaging developments in this country.

Our vote this election arrives as Congress faces consequential questions about war powers and whether the Iran war will continue, federal spending in the trillions, energy demand and the explosion of AI data centers across the nation, and the unaffordable cost of living and super high inflation spiked by Trump’s tariffs and the war.

War, Inflation, and AI

The war with Iran places foreign policy near the center of that choice. The conflict has stretched for months, negotiations remain unsettled and the possibility of renewed military action continues to shadow the campaign. Trump has said he would escalate the war after the midterm. It could be sooner. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the war in Iran has already cost $38.1 billion through August 1, 2026.

Retired military experts, more inclined to speak freely, and geopolitical analysts have said this war is not winnable and a worst-case scenario involving a nuclear option could be possible. Do we really want our country nuking Iran? Would that be the end of it? Other nuclear powers – China and Pakistan – have already issued urgent and serious warnings against US use of nukes on Iran.

Inflation adds a more immediate pressure this election heavily influenced by the war in Iran. Federal data show consumer prices were 3.4%higher in August than a year earlier, which is a persistent burden for households paying for food, housing, transportation and energy. Millions upon millions of Americans have been complaining about how their struggles meeting bills are not being heard.

The midterm election will not settle those costs overnight, and responsibility for inflation extends beyond any single office. However, this administration’s decisions on tariffs, trade, energy and regulation, have made inflation worse. And our votes could amend, curb or stop some of these current policies.

Another fast-moving debate is taking shape as thousands of data centers operate or are planned across the country to support AI and cloud computing. Developers point to investment, construction work and tax revenue, while residents and local officials are raising concerns about electricity demand, water use, utility costs, tax incentives and how much authority communities have over where the facilities are built.

Relatedly, pioneering researchers and AI industry leaders have acknowledged that AI poses an existential threat to humanity — one that is not being adequately addressed. Trump favors industry self-regulation, while AI executives — whether sincere or merely seeking to reassure a concerned public —are calling for government oversight. So which approach should prevail? Congress must step in, resolve the uncertainty, and establish clear regulations.

Control of the House and Senate will help determine whether the administration’s agenda moves forward with limited resistance or encounters stronger oversight, investigations and legislative checks. A Republican House and Senate control would mean more of the same in Trump’s remaining term.

Democrat, Republican or Independent

With these three arguably existential threats – Iran war, super high inflation, AI and data centers – potentially worsening if not checked by a Congress to oppose this administration, this election is a no-brainer.

The world economy is on the verge of collapse because of the oil chokepoint at the Strait of Hormuz. Should the war escalate with the destruction of major oil refineries, super high inflation as a result could worsen and food supplies reaching grocery shelves might not even be possible. The US produces substantial oil, but that would not fully insulate Americans: domestic fuel prices still respond to world prices and global shortages.

Put political party divisions aside this midterm election

Whether we are Democrat, Republican or Independent normally would matter. But political party platforms and the usual debates that idealogues argue are almost cartoonish to entertain in these most dire times. The nation is on fire and it’s anti-American to not save her, to save the nation’s freedom, democracy even treasury.

It’s clear what must happen this midterm election. The halls of Congress must change majorities. And should Democrats win majorities, it must not be business as usual. They will need to craft serious legislation to address all three of these existential threats above.

Be a responsible American and vote this General Election. It’s not a usual pitch that the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle normally does of voting for community empowerment and letting our voices be heard. Voting this midterm election is about saving our nation from unprecedented harm.