America Must Come First for America’s Elected Leaders

 Let me begin by making my position plain: I have no patience with elected officials who place the interests of a foreign government above the needs of the American people. I do not care whether that influence comes from Israel, a Muslim nation, China, Russia, or any other foreign power. The standard should be the same for everyone.

An American officeholder takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That official is elected by American citizens and paid by American taxpayers. Therefore, his first political responsibility must be to the United States—not to a foreign government, foreign ideology, or powerful organization working to advance another nation’s interests.

There was a time when Americans clearly understood the danger of communist influence within our government. We recognized that elected officials should not advance the ideology or interests of a foreign power. I believe the same principle must be applied consistently today. We cannot condemn the influence of one foreign nation while excusing another because it is considered our friend.

This is one reason I understand the growing anger concerning America’s relationship with Israel. When pro-Israel political organizations spend heavily to elect members of Congress, and those members consistently vote for military aid, weapons, and diplomatic protection for Israel, citizens have every right to ask whose interests are being served.

Asking that question is not hatred of Jewish people. Criticizing the Israeli government is not the same as condemning Jews collectively. Jewish Americans are individuals with many different political and religious views, and they should never be blamed for the decisions of Benjamin Netanyahu or the Israeli government.

My concern is not with someone’s ethnicity or religion. My concern is with identifiable organizations, documented campaign spending, government policies, and the voting records of elected officials.

I will not accuse an official of bribery without evidence. A political contribution followed by a favorable vote does not automatically prove that a vote was purchased. Some politicians support Israel because of their theology, ideology, party loyalty, or longstanding foreign-policy beliefs. Political organizations also tend to support candidates who already agree with them.

Nevertheless, money creates access, pressure, and influence. It helps favored candidates win elections and finances campaigns against those who challenge established policy. Even when it does not meet the legal definition of bribery, it can cause Americans to wonder whether their representatives are listening to the voters or to the organizations financing their campaigns.

There is also an important legal distinction. Direct contributions from foreign governments and foreign nationals are generally prohibited in American elections. Most pro-Israel PAC money comes from American donors and organizations. Therefore, it would not always be accurate to call it “foreign money.” However, Americans still have the right to examine whether domestic political spending is being used primarily to advance the interests of a foreign government.

The same scrutiny should apply to every political lobby representing policies favorable to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, China, or any other nation. There should not be one rule for our allies and another for our adversaries.

George Washington warned against passionate attachments to foreign nations. His warning remains relevant. When affection for another country prevents our leaders from examining its conduct honestly, America can become involved in wars and obligations that do not serve our national interest.

Scripture says, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Although Christ was speaking about God and mammon, the principle of divided loyalty is clear. An elected official cannot faithfully serve the American people while treating the desires of a foreign government as his highest obligation.

For that reason, I have decided that I will not support or vote for candidates who accept political money intended to bind them to the interests of a foreign government. I will examine campaign-finance records, public statements, and voting records before giving anyone my vote.

This conviction will probably limit the number of candidates I can support. So be it. A vote should never be given merely because someone has an “R” or a “D” beside his name. Neither party should receive our unquestioning loyalty.

I want representatives who will defend America without becoming servants of another nation. They should consider every request for foreign aid, every weapons shipment, and every military commitment according to our Constitution, our national interest, human rights, and the consequences for innocent people.

This does not require America to hate or abandon other nations. We can pursue peace, trade, and friendship with Israel and every other country. But friendship is not servitude, and an alliance should never demand silence when an ally acts unjustly.

My position is simple: America’s elected leaders must answer first to the American people. They must not place Israel, a Muslim nation, or any other foreign government above the country they were elected to serve. I will judge them by their financial connections, their voting records, and the fruits of their decisions.

That is not isolationism, antisemitism, or hostility toward any people. It is a demand for honest government, equal standards, constitutional responsibility, and undivided public service.