As the 2026 midterm elections near, preparations for the No Kings Early Vote rallies kicked into high gear. Voting against one of the two pro-war parties is a high priority. Yet in the winner-take-all American political system, the congressional-military-industrial complex (Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and The Boeing Company) remains influential, facilitating perpetual war.

Here’s the bipartisan scoop from opensecrets.org. Spoiler alert: this money and politics nexus precedes the Trump administration. In other words, the congressional-military-industrial complex operated with Democratic control of the Oval Office, Senate and the House.

“Individuals and political action committees associated with the defense sector contributed $50 million to political candidates and committees during the 2020 campaign cycle, with far more going to Republicans than Democrats: $21.7 million versus $25.4 million.

“From 1990 through 2021, the sector contributed more than $365 million, with 57 percent going to Republican candidates. The sector also has a formidable federal lobbying presence, having spent $117 million in 2021 — though that’s down from a high of $150.8 million in 2008. In 2021, more than 765 lobbyists represented nearly 237 clients.”

In 2026, an American public faces an apparent alternative, politically speaking, a choice between getting shot in the arm or leg. The option of avoiding a gunshot wound is unavailable. That is no option at all.

Crafting a solution to the electoral duopoly of perpetual war requires clear thoughts about the obstacles to a political-social order that puts people’s needs first. Opposing this militarized order means standing against a force with undeniable momentum. Political-social orders of the past have had what seemed to be such momentum before change........

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