Bill Wright: How I See It

An Underestimated Threat to Our National Unity

I believe many of the troubles facing our country today did not arise overnight. Their beginnings can be traced back several years to a quiet, largely unseen campaign directed against the United States by foreign adversaries. Russia and China, unable to defeat us in a direct military confrontation, have instead chosen a different battlefield: our own internal cohesion.

This is not a conventional war. It is an undercover effort to weaken the United States by creating division, distrust, and confusion among our own people. Thousands of individuals, working deliberately and continuously, have been tasked with spreading misinformation, exaggerating grievances, and amplifying conflict within our society. Their goal is not to convince Americans of a single viewpoint, but to keep us angry at one another and doubtful of our institutions.

Social media has become the most effective tool in this effort. It is increasingly difficult to determine which information is accurate and which has been intentionally planted to provoke turmoil. Much of what appears online is designed to sound believable, emotional, or sensational, and many people accept it without questioning its source or intent. Well-meaning citizens unknowingly pass along these messages, further spreading confusion and division.

What makes this problem more troubling is that it is not a secret within our national security community. Our defense establishment, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement organizations have publicly acknowledged these foreign influence operations. Yet this information rarely reaches the general public in a clear and sustained way. News coverage tends to be brief or superficial, and commentators often fail to explain the scale, intent, and seriousness of the threat.

As a result, many Americans remain unaware that they are being targeted. Sensational claims are more appealing than careful analysis, and facts struggle to compete with outrage. This environment makes us vulnerable. A divided nation is easier to manipulate, less resolved, and less capable of addressing its real challenges.

I believe we must respond with awareness and education. The United States needs a deliberate effort to inform its citizens about these influence campaigns and how they operate. Our ability to recognize manipulation, verify information, and resist emotional provocation may determine whether our country continues to thrive as a unified democracy.

The danger we face today is not only external, but internal. How we respond to it—through vigilance, understanding, and shared responsibility—will shape our future.

The Need to Restore Fiscal Discipline

As I write this essay, the federal government is essentially shut down amid unresolved disagreements over the national budget. Democrats have refused to accept a Republican proposal that resists allocating additional funding for illegal immigrants, while simultaneously advocating for a rollback of Medicare reimbursement rates to pre-COVID levels.

What the nation needs—urgently—is a federal budget that stops outspending anticipated income and begins reducing the existing $38 trillion national debt. It will take at least a decade of sustained fiscal discipline to bring that debt under control. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans are going without paychecks, even as we continue to provide medical care, food, and housing to millions of individuals who entered the country illegally.

We must adopt a budget that does not exceed our income—one that allows for a targeted reduction of debt, even if that requires higher taxes. I do not claim to understand every detail of how the federal budget is constructed, but one principle is clear: spending must be limited to essential needs. If new programs are added, new revenue must accompany them. This is not optional; it is mandatory.

Today, the interest paid on our national debt exceeds the amount allocated to our military. That fact alone signals an unsustainable imbalance. If the United States is to remain strong at home and respected abroad, we must stop adding costs and begin restoring financial stability. Both political parties have exceeded budgetary limits, and both share responsibility for the current crisis.

There will always be more people who need food, medicine, and care, and more worthy causes than we can afford to support. Once a benefit is granted, however, it becomes extraordinarily difficult to withdraw. An early observer of American society noted that once people receive something, taking it back is nearly impossible.

A wise person once summarized this progression clearly:

The first time you give someone something for free, you create appreciation.

The second time, anticipation.

The third time, expectation.

The fourth time, entitlement.

The fifth time, dependency.

And the sixth time—when the giving stops—you create resentment.

That, in essence, is where our nation now stands. We must confront reality, live within our means, and preserve the strength of both the dollar and the country for future generations.

There will be moments—such as during natural disasters—when temporary deficit spending is necessary. But those costs must begin to be repaid immediately. Much of our rising medical expenses is driven by preventable behavior: tobacco use, alcohol abuse, poor diet, and neglect of personal health. Are we, as a nation, expected to shoulder endless financial responsibility for those who refuse to take responsibility for themselves?

America must restore fiscal discipline by living within its means, reducing debt, and ending the unsustainable expansion of government spending and dependency.