October 13, 2026
Americans are voting in three weeks. It’s time to vote out the Trump enablers | Robert Reich
In the lead-up to the midterm elections, Robert Reich argues that Democrats must prioritize rooting out political corruption to effectively address the affordability crisis facing Americans. He highlights how Trump's policies—ranging from tariffs to military spending—have disproportionately benefited wealthy corporations and individuals, exacerbating costs for everyday citizens. With rising prices linked to corruption, Reich calls for a concerted effort to reform campaign financing and restore accountability in government. As voters prepare to head to the polls, he emphasizes the urgent need to vote out Trump enablers and push for meaningful change.
Stoic Response
Epictetus on Political Corruption and the Discipline of Desire
Greetings, students of the Stoa. Today, we gather to reflect upon the pressing issues of our time, particularly as we approach the midterm elections. Let us consider the words of Robert Reich, who urges us to confront the corrosive nature of political corruption that underlies the affordability crisis facing our citizens.
Challenge Unhealthy Judgments
- Recognize the Illusion: Understand that the allure of wealth and power often leads to misjudgments. Do not be swayed by the superficial benefits that may seem appealing but are rooted in corruption.
- Question the Narrative: Examine the stories told by those in power. Are they serving the common good or merely enriching a select few? Seek the truth beneath the surface.
Discipline of Desire, Impulse, and Assent
To navigate the turbulent waters of politics and societal issues, we must cultivate a disciplined mind. Here are my directives:
Desire
- Desire for Justice: Cultivate a desire for what is just and equitable. Let this be your guiding star in the face of corruption.
- Desire for Truth: Seek knowledge and clarity. Do not accept falsehoods that serve only to mislead and distract.
Impulse
- Resist Rash Actions: Before acting, pause to reflect. Consider the broader impact of your decisions on the community.
- Act with Integrity: Let your actions align with your values. Engage in politics not for personal gain, but for the betterment of society.
Assent
- Critically Assess Information: When confronted with claims about policies or leaders, ask yourself: Is this true? Who benefits from this assertion?
- Choose Your Allies Wisely: Surround yourself with those who share your commitment to integrity and accountability.
Imperatives for Action
- Vote Thoughtfully: Participate in the upcoming elections with discernment. Choose candidates who prioritize the welfare of the many over the few.
- Advocate for Reform: Push for systemic changes that curb political corruption. Support measures that promote transparency and accountability in governance.
- Engage in Dialogue: Foster discussions that challenge the status quo. Encourage others to think critically about the implications of policies and leadership.
In these times of uncertainty, let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of virtue and justice. The path may be fraught with challenges, but through discipline and discernment, we can navigate it wisely.
Remember:
- True wealth lies in the common good.
- Integrity is the foundation of a just society.
Let us strive to embody these principles as we move forward, not just as individuals, but as a collective seeking a better future.
Article Rewritten Through Stoic Lens
A Stoic Perspective on Political Corruption and Affordability
As we approach the midterm elections, we are presented with a critical opportunity to reflect on our character and the virtues we hold dear. In the face of political corruption and an affordability crisis, we must respond with wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Robert Reich’s insights serve as a reminder that our reactions to these challenges can be framed as tests of our virtue rather than mere sources of outrage.
Wisdom: Understanding the Roots of Affordability Issues
In the lead-up to the elections, it is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of political decisions and their consequences. The rising costs of living, particularly in fuel and housing, have roots in policies that prioritize the interests of a few over the many. For instance, the average American now spends nearly 50% more on gas, a direct consequence of political decisions tied to corruption. As Reich notes, "Trump’s war on Iran is causing Americans to spend almost 50% more on gas on average."
This situation invites us to exercise wisdom. Instead of succumbing to outrage, we can analyze how these policies serve a select group while burdening the average citizen. Recognizing this allows us to see the broader implications of our political landscape and the need for reform.
Courage: Confronting Political Corruption
Courage is not merely the absence of fear but the resolve to confront it. Reich emphasizes the importance of rooting out corruption to address the affordability crisis effectively. He states, "If Democrats regain control of Congress and genuinely want to respond to affordability, they’ll need to do everything possible to root out corruption."
This call to action is not just for politicians but for each of us. We must summon the courage to demand accountability from our leaders and to support measures that promote transparency in campaign financing. The fight against corruption is a test of our character, urging us to stand firm in our values.
Justice: Advocating for the Common Good
Justice requires us to advocate for the common good, recognizing that the current system disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Reich points to how Trump's tariffs and military spending have enriched corporations and individuals at the expense of everyday Americans. For example, "Trump’s tariffs have increased annual household costs by an estimated $1,100."
As we prepare to vote, we must focus on candidates who prioritize justice and accountability. The need for reform in campaign financing and the restoration of independent oversight bodies is paramount. This is not merely a political issue but a moral one, challenging us to support those who will work for the collective welfare.
Temperance: Cultivating Gratitude Amidst Challenges
In times of crisis, it is vital to practice temperance—maintaining a balanced perspective. While the challenges we face are significant, they also present opportunities for gratitude and growth. As Reich suggests, if Democrats regain control, they must focus on alleviating high prices and eliminating the causes behind them.
We must cultivate gratitude for the chance to engage in the political process, recognizing that our actions can lead to meaningful change. Rather than becoming attached to specific outcomes, we can appreciate the journey of advocacy itself. As we push for reforms, let us remain grounded in our values and the virtues we aspire to embody.
Conclusion: A Call to Virtue
As we approach the midterm elections, let us frame our responses to political corruption and affordability as tests of our character. By embodying the Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, we can navigate these challenges with integrity. The path forward is not merely about winning elections but about fostering a political environment that reflects our highest ideals.
In the words of Robert Reich, "The grift and the graft must end." Let us take this to heart and strive for a future where accountability and virtue guide our political landscape.
Source Body Text
This is the first edition of How We Win, a Guardian opinion series featuring leading thinkers and writers offering diverse perspectives on America’s political future. Sign up here to receive future editions in your inbox. In these last weeks before the midterms, Democratic candidates have been gaining ground by talking about two things: the affordability crisis and political corruption. If Democrats regain control of Congress and genuinely want to respond to affordability, they’ll need to do everything possible to root out corruption. Trump’s war on Iran is causing Americans to spend almost 50% more on gas on average. And the diesel fuel needed to transport almost everything else we buy now averages more than $6.00 a gallon, which is also being passed on to consumers. These price increases due to Trump’s war tell only half the story. The other half is the political corruption at the root of the war – enriching Trump’s friends and family. The war has been a huge windfall for Big Tech supplying the military – such as Palantir, a core artificial intelligence and data-integration partner for the US Department of Defense, founded by Trump’s and JD Vance’s ally Peter Thiel. Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump have invested in an array of companies that have business before the Pentagon and have reaped substantial awards. Most of their investments in defense contractors occurred after Trump was elected for a second time. Trump’s tariffs offer another example of higher prices connected to corruption. The tariffs are import taxes that have increased annual household costs by an estimated $1,100, according to The Budget Lab at Yale. Again, though, the price increases tell only half the story. The tariffs have enabled Trump to give out tariff waivers and carve-outs to industries and companies that do him favors. After Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, donated more than $1m to Trump’s inauguration and promised major domestic investments, Apple got tariff exemptions for products produced in China, all of which saved Apple huge amounts of money. After Elon Musk sank a quarter of a billion dollars into Trump’s 2024 campaign, Tesla got a tariff exemption for electronics. Reyes Holdings, a bottler and distributor that ranks among the largest privately held companies in the US and is owned by brothers who have donated millions to Republican causes, benefited from a tariff exemption for polyethylene terephthalate, used to make plastic bottles. And so on. (The White House has said no companies have been granted special exemptions.) A third example linking higher prices to corruption is artificial intelligence. Together with the costs of Trump’s war in Iran, AI’s borrowing of over $500bn so far this year has contributed to sky-high interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit card overdrafts. And AI data centers are raising electricity prices in areas where data centers are sucking up energy. As with the war and the tariffs, Trump’s support for AI is tied to political payoffs. According to a CNBC analysis of FEC records, megadonor contributions from AI, crypto, and online gambling executives have overwhelmingly favored Republicans, with 14 of the 20 largest donor groups nearly exclusively backing GOP candidates or outside groups. Under Trump and his Republican enablers, the richest Americans and biggest corporations have made out like bandits. To see how Trump’s war, his tariffs, and his support for AI interact on prices, consider housing affordability, which is among voters’ top concerns. While Trump’s war and encouragement of AI have contributed to the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to over 7%, Trump’s tariffs have caused the prices of lumber and building materials to soar. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that tariffs on lumber and building materials have added $10,900 to the cost of constructing a new US single-family home. The price of copper, a key material for electrical wiring in residential and commercial construction, has risen 40% in the past year due to Trump’s tariffs and the demands of data centers – adding even more cost to building a typical home, which requires hundreds of pounds of copper. A final illustration of the close connection between rising prices and corruption is Trump’s tax cuts that have mainly benefited America’s wealthiest corporations and individuals, but have come at the expense of healthcare for average Americans. To pay for the tax cuts demanded by their largest donors, Trump and congressional Republicans have slashed Medicaid and failed to renew healthcare tax credits. As a result, millions of Americans are now forced to spend far more for health insurance coverage or do without it altogether. If Democrats regain control of Congress, they will need to focus not only on alleviating high prices but also on eliminating the causes of those high prices. It will be impossible to do the former without attacking the latter. To do this, Democrats will need to do whatever they can to root out corruption. In addition to ending Trump’s war and his arbitrary tariffs, they must reform campaign financing – such as matching public financing with small-dollar donations. They’ll also need to resurrect the systems of accountability Trump has dismantled, such as the independent civil service, independent inspectors general, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Federal Election Commission. What can you do besides voting to throw the bums out and getting everyone you know to join you? If Democrats regain control of Congress, push them to do whatever they can to tame prices, raise wages and end the corruption of the Trump Republican regime. Under Trump and his Republican enablers, the richest Americans and biggest corporations have made out like bandits. Average working Americans are paying dearly for what the bandits have stolen. The grift and the graft must end. • Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist and his newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com. His new book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, is out now in the US and in the UK *** Want to hear more from our contributors? Follow them on Substack: Stacey Abrams, Robert Reich, Paul Krugman, Naomi Klein, Mehdi Hasan, Bernie Sanders, Rebecca Solnit, Katie Phang, Judd Legum and Wajahat Ali.