Why do Jews vote Democrat?

[jordan179]

Burt Prelutsky, at Townhall

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BurtPrelutsky/2008/05/12/why_jews_vote_the_way_they_do

says:

If I am asked one question by my readers far more frequently than any other, it’s why do so many

Comments

[pithhelmet]

Historically, and I emphasize the word "historically," the Dems have always come to bat for the Israelis when it came to funding and arms sales and such. The book I just finished George Crile's Charlie Wilson's War recounts how supportive Dems like Wilson, Harry S Truman, JFK, etc. were of the State of Israel.

Granted, that's not the case now, but I think it does play a role in voting.

[jordan179]

Historically, and I emphasize the word "historically," the Dems have always come to bat for the Israelis when it came to funding and arms sales and such.

This is quite true, but the last Democrat pro-Israeli US President was Lyndon Baines Johnson, and he finished his last term 39 1/2 years ago. Carter has revealed himself a naked anti-Semite, and Clinton invited Arafat to the White House. Meanhwile, extreme anti-Semites such as Al Sharpton are allowed to speak at Democratic Presidential conventions.

I think it's long past time for American Jews to acknowledge that the old anti-Semitism of the American Right has long since moved to the lunatic-fringe and out of the Republican Party; and been replaced by a new anti-Semitism of the American Left. And what's worse, the old right-wing American anti-Semitism merely wanted to snub Jews: the new left-wing American anti-Semitism wants to kill them.

I'd rather ally with Archie Bunker than Adolf Hitler.

[eric_hinkle]

I think it's long past time for American Jews to acknowledge that the old anti-Semitism of the American Right has long since moved to the lunatic-fringe and out of the Republican Party; and been replaced by a new anti-Semitism of the American Left. And what's worse, the old right-wing American anti-Semitism merely wanted to snub Jews: the new left-wing American anti-Semitism wants to kill them.

Based on what I've read in various books covering the American Far Right (by which I mean groups like the skinheads, the American Nazi Party, Christian Identity, etc.), I'd say that there's been plenty of "Let's Kill the Jews!" sentiment floating around the Right in America. Go and read Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke's Black Sun for all the murderously anti-Semitic Far-Right lunacy you can stand

[pithhelmet]

Though few go as far as one very demented furry I knew of who bluntly stated that the best solution for our problems in the Middle East is to stop helping Israel, arm the Arabs and then just turn our backs while they 'cleanse Palestine' of the Jewish 'infestation'.

"'Cleanse Palestine' of the Jewish 'infestation'." -- That's a line worthy of Julius Streicher, NSDAP!

[mindstalk]

"ignores that many Arabs who call themselves Israeli Arabs are doing much better than the Palestinians"

Ignore it? Hardly! If Israeli Arabs are doing better than the Palestinians, clearly the Palestinians should become Israeli Arabs! As a bonus, Israel can finally annex the land it really wants, in return for giving citizenship. Win-win! :)

[jordan179]

ignores that many Arabs who call themselves Israeli Arabs are doing much better than the Palestinians"

Ignore it? Hardly! If Israeli Arabs are doing better than the Palestinians, clearly the Palestinians should become Israeli Arabs! As a bonus, Israel can finally annex the land it really wants, in return for giving citizenship. Win-win! :)

You are ignoring the reality that the Palestinian Arabs want to destroy rather than join Israel. If Israel admitted the Palestinian Arabs to citizenship, within a generation Israel would cease to be, and what would replace it would be anti-Semitic, anti-Western, undemocratic, illiberal, violent and as much of a mess as the West Bank and Gaza.

[mindstalk]

I disagree that your portrayal is in fact reality, nor do I think that the mess in the WB and Gaza right now is independent of Israel's actions.

[jordan179]

I disagree that your portrayal is in fact reality

Repeated public opinion polls have routinely shown very large majorities (70 to 90 percent) of Palestinian Arabs expressing a preference for the destruction of Israel rather than desiring to join or live side by side with Israel. Reality does not seem to be taking much account of how you wish it to be.