What’s the Greater Loss — One Election or Millions of Lives? Remember “the forgotten man”!

This should be called “The election of the broken heart,” and “The election of “the forgotten man” forgotten again,” active duty men and women in our Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard and our veterans who felt like unwanted stepchildren.

Commander in Chief and President Donald J. Trump  did not detach from the American People due to the Iran War, about which the President had no choice but defending America from eminent “Death to America” attacks from Iran and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houtis.

Neither does our Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who boldly supported both God and our military.

WATCH: Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic.

As we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th, 2026, never forget our forgotton men and women in our military. They are fighting against the greatest evils in the world — Iran and its proxies.

Comparing the “Loss” of an Election vs. Millions of Lives

In any ethical and practical framework, the loss of millions of lives is far greater than the loss of an election, because human life is irreplaceable and the scale of suffering is immeasurably larger than political outcomes.

Why millions of lives outweigh an election in value

An election is a political process that determines governance, policy direction, and representation. While it can have significant consequences — such as changes in leadership, laws, and economic policy — its impact is confined to the political sphere and can be reversed or altered through future elections, reforms, or policy changes.

By contrast, the loss of millions of lives involves:

• Irreplaceable human beings — each life is unique and cannot be substituted.
• Massive, immediate suffering — death, injury, and loss of family and community.
• Long-term societal harm — loss of potential contributions, economic impact, and cultural loss.
• Moral and ethical weight — most ethical frameworks (including human rights law) place the preservation of life above political outcomes.

Scale and irreversibility

The number of lives lost in a catastrophic event (war, disaster, pandemic) can be measured in the millions, while the number of votes in an election is in the millions but represents a single decision point. The loss of life is permanent; the loss of an election can be mitigated or reversed.

Ethical and legal perspective

International human rights law and moral philosophy consistently hold that the right to life is the most fundamental right. Political processes, while important, are secondary to the preservation of life. Therefore, in a direct comparison, the “greater loss” is always the loss of millions of lives, not the loss of an election.

In short: An election is a political outcome; millions of lives are human beings. The loss of human life is the greater and more profound loss, both morally and practically. CBS News+1

©2026 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.). All rights reserved.