As a former Marine officer, I survey the war in Iran and feel deep concern for our fighting men and women. I see an aircraft carrier not only deployed for almost 10 months, but at sea for 250 consecutive days — unprecedented in modern U.S. Navy history. I see, throughout our deployed forces, how these conditions, coupled with disruptions in food, water, and mail, have led to an increase in suicidal ideation. To make it worse, we are running dangerously low on munitions.

Our current major-party leadership has failed us by not asking vital, common-sense questions before entering into an armed conflict. Is the contemplated action constitutionally authorized? Is the security of the United States clearly threatened? What does victory look like, and can we achieve it?

The current leadership in our country not only hasn't answered these questions, but apparently hasn't contemplated them. It is time for new leadership. New leadership will ask the right questions — and do so before committing our troops to a military venture extending endless days on a foreign sea, leaving them unarmed, demoralized, and defeated.

This time we do not need a Tea Party. We need a Revolution. Please join The Spirit of Independents and be part of the history-making 12-Second Revolution on Tuesday, November 7, 2028. Join here.

Read the referenced reporting: Stars and Stripes on the mental-health town hall aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Time on the U.S. ammunition shortage.

I formed The Spirit of Independents movement for multiple reasons, one of which was to shine a light on an overlooked but existential threat to the future of our dear country. But news articles this past week show the threat is being discovered.

First, the Treasury has released figures placing the U.S. debt at $40 trillion. It is humorous in a macabre way to read the surprise in the press releases of some of our Congressmen. Second, the U.S. ‘Credit Card’ balance is no longer being overlooked by the investors who purchase U.S. debt. They are now demanding higher interest at Treasury auctions. This is ominous for what it portends.

I formed The Spirit of Independents, Inc. to give warning, and a call to action. On Tuesday, November 7, 2028, with 12 seconds of your time we can end the plunge toward fiscal Armageddon. Please visit my Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Read the referenced reporting: the U.S. national debt at $40 trillion (PBS NewsHour) and the Treasury's Debt to the Penny dataset.

We are heading into the midterm elections, and an unusual phenomenon is gaining attention. Strong races by Independent candidates are emerging. Looking only at U.S. Senate races, candidates have not only qualified for the general election ballot but have become strong contenders who may win. From Montana to Mississippi — and including states like Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota — Independents are not only being invited to the debates but are in tight races.

Does this herald a true history-changing 12-Second Revolution in 2026? Nope.

Why?

Because Americans have not yet been inspired with the hope it would take to field and vote for Independents on a wide basis. They have not yet been effectively reminded of the power we all hold to change the flow of American history on a single day, including our target date in 2028.

That, of course, is where The Spirit of Independents comes in. That is our mission. And we are on the move. We continue to populate our membership rolls, gain search-engine hits for our website, get followers on our Facebook page, and build "Karma" on Reddit (Really? Karma? Whatever.).

Anyway, I promised brevity, so let me wind up. What you can do to keep the momentum building is share my Founder's Message at our website. Additionally, if you are embarrassingly wealthy (or not) and wish to help fund upcoming ad campaigns, pay us a visit here. The inexpensive door-to-door 'ground attack' that helped me win a 107,000-person district years ago won't work to influence a nation of 335 million who sit, despairing, in the tangible darkness of current American governance.

The evidence is mounting. America is ready for the 12-Second Revolution.

A 2026 Gallup poll reports a record-high 45% of U.S. adults now identify as political independents — compared with 27% each for Republicans and Democrats. Voters in a recent CNN poll showed the same dissatisfaction with the major parties, saying Congress would be better off if most of its current members were unseated this fall.

The Moment and the Movement are aligning. A new force is rising. Join the Revolution!