Posted on 07/31/2015 6:10:36 AM PDT by conservativejoy
“Seven Jewish Lawmakers Could Tilt the Scales on Iran Deal,” headlines The Times of Israel. The members — Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. Steven Israel, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Nita Lowey, Sen. Ben Cardin and Rep. Ted Deutch — are all Democrats. They must choose between loyalty to their party’s president and concern about what the deal portends for Israeli and American security.
There are long and short answers to the question: “Why are Jews liberal?” The long answer traces back to the Enlightenment in Europe, when parties of the right were monarchist and anti-Semitic, while parties of the left favored pluralism and religious freedom. I don’t buy the long argument. Tsar Alexander III, who instigated pogroms against the Jews, is long dead. So is Napoleon, who liberated them. In the meantime, Jews have suffered under communists, who proved just as cruel as the monarchists.
Jewish liberals often explain that their views spring from Jewish tradition, which admonishes the Jewish people to engage in “tikkun olam” or “healing the world.” I’m skeptical. Tikkun olam is traditionally understood as adhering faithfully to the commandments (keeping kosher, visiting the sick and observing the Sabbath, for example), the better to prepare the world for the messianic age. Many of those who brandish the Hebrew phrase today have commandeered it to bolster support for same-sex marriage, government-run health care and the rest of the progressive agenda — an interpretation that would, to quote the immortal words of Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “cross a rabbi’s eyes.”
No, the short explanation of Jewish liberalism is straightforward. Jewish Americans tend to be disproportionately urban, secular and educated. Each of those categories is highly correlated with liberalism and membership in the Democratic Party — God (you should forgive the expression) help us. Speaking of Him, Jewish Americans are less likely than any other religious group in America to say they believe in God. A 2013 Pew poll found that 62 percent of Jews reported that their identity was rooted mainly in culture and ancestry rather than religion. Only 34 percent of Jews said they were certain God exists, compared with 69 percent of the general public (though an additional 38 percent say they believe, but without certainty, placing believers in the majority).
While 62 percent of American Christians and 81 percent of Muslims report attending services at least monthly, only 23 percent of Jews do. Fifty-eight percent of Jewish adults are college graduates, compared with 29 percent of the general population. About 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas. This is true of only 4 percent of American Jews.
Even without knowing anything else about Jews, the above statistics would predict what we see: that about 70 percent of American Jews lean Democrat, while 22 percent are Republicans.
Still, for those Democrats pondering what the Iran vote will mean for their own political futures, other statistics should pull them up short. Though comparatively irreligious, 70 percent of American Jews remain strongly or somewhat strongly attached to the State of Israel. Though some liberal Jews may, at times, have been persuaded by Obama administration claims that troubles in relations with Israel are traceable to Bibi Netanyahu’s prickly personality, that line is less likely to be effective now that all major parties in Israel have united in opposition to the Iran deal/capitulation.
But here’s the kicker that Schumer, Cardin and others will want to bear in mind: The American Jewish world is changing very fast. The older, more secular doggedly liberal Jews are dying off, falling away from organized Jewish life and intermarrying (which means their children are no longer Jewish in most cases). Orthodox Jews, by contrast, are thriving, and they have large families — having 10 or more children is not uncommon. In New York City, the Orthodox accounted for 33 percent of Jews in 2002, but 40 percent only 10 years later. In 2012, 74 percent of Jewish children in New York were growing up in Orthodox homes. The religious/cultural conservatism of these observant Jews affects their political affiliation. Fifty-seven percent of Orthodox Jews are Republicans, and huge majorities are very concerned about Israel.
They might forgive a vote for Obamacare. But a vote to provide billions of dollars to the paymasters of Hezbollah and Hamas; a vote to permit the Iranian regime to acquire missiles, stealth aircraft and more with which to kill Americans and Israelis; a vote that, in essence, accepts the eventual nuclearization of Iran without any corresponding concessions from the mullahs? Do Democrats want to chance it?
Maybe, just maybe some of them are coming to the realization that with this deal, Israel is effectively on the chopping block of world opinion and seriously in jeopardy from physical serious harm by Muslims. Perhaps to the extent Israel might no longer be the whipping boy.
Given that perception, who might American Jews think would be next? Well, white people are always under attack this day and age of Obama, but there is another component. Jews number what percentage in this country? It’s 2 now? Estimates of Muslims vary between 1 and 2% depending on source with Obama doing EVERYTHING he can to drastically increase that number.
So. Effectively, Israel off the screen so to speak. Where do Muslims (especially here in the US) turn to? One guess.
Let us hope.
Since they are democrats they are probably asking for a kickback not to block the traitorous acts. Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. Steven Israel, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Nita Lowey, Sen. Ben Cardin and Rep. Ted Deutch may end up with civic centers and streets named after them plus money in their bank accounts.
Very passionate speech. I hope they are listening in Congress.
Prepare for much much worse news in the near future. Giving nukes to our sworn enemy is just the latest.
Obama is emboldened and unrestrained. Our Pathetic band of Re-puke-licans has zero push back. Obama has succeeded at EVERYTHING he has attempted.
Do we think he will just lameduck his way through the next 18 months? Hardly...prepare for a torrent of criminal mischief designed to forever alter the nature of the American Experience.
So, color me pessimistic about “jewish Dems” or any thwarting our Muslim-in-Chief.
For Jewish Democrats there is only one choice..OBAMA. They would rather see all of Israel wiped off the map than turn against Obama.
I bet they sell out. Obamacult.
But hey, what about that genius Debbie Wasserschmuck Schultz???
Since they are democrats they are probably asking for a kickback
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Agree. The more they howl about something they claim to be against, the bigger the political payoff they are demanding. Everyone knows that resistance can be overcome with the right favors and concessions.
To borrow a quote from the movie Godfather, if you want my cooperation then “let me wet my beak a little”. Politics has nothing to do with principle; its all about kickbacks.
> For Jewish Democrats there is only one choice..OBAMA. They would rather see all of Israel wiped off the map than turn against Obama.
I have never quite understood the Jewish liberal Democrat and why they support so many things that are wrong in this country. I think I’m beginning to understand why their ancestors were enslaved so many times and wandered the desert for 40 years because of them though.
Glick really hit it out of the park; a very realistic speech. In addition to Schumer and Engel, she also called out to Rep Jerrold Nader.
>> Steven Israel
Steven Israel is JEWISH??!? No Shiite?
Next question?
In the end, internal Democrat Party politics will prevail. They’ll sell out Israel for a shiny new bridge or some community development funding in their district.
Probably not as the church of liberalism seems to be the central value, hence upchuck Schummer
Will JINOs sink the Obamination’s deal with Iran? I would not trust a JINO Democrat as far as I could throw the Queen Mary’s anchor. They are, after all, Democrats first and then Jews. Will they be good Donkeys and side with the Iranian death cult or stand with God’s chosen people? I would not trust them to side with Israel over Donkey Party’s sellout of Israel.
Do these Senator have a conscience? Iran has telegraphed that they will use the $160 Billion to buy arms and use them against the USA and Israel. The collective conscience of this country has plummeted since Bammy took office.......I don’t see them going against their party.
And then it will come to this: I have a gun for protection. My psychopathic Neighbor wants a gun to kill me because his knife is not enough. His new friend(s) is going to give him a gun under the table illegally. Do I shoot him now or do I allow him to break in during the middle of the night and murder me and my entire family? Israel why do you even have a gun (NUKE) if you are not going to use it against a real and immanent threat?
Several of us were discussing this issue this morning at the gym. Broward county Florida and a over 55 gated community....solid RAT. Hillary is a hero here ...
The Jewish Democrats would drink muslim phlegm if told to do so......
“About 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas. This is true of only 4 percent of American Jews.”
I have seen figures that put only 5% of Jews living in rural areas AND small towns together. Try to find any other group that lives in urban areas as much as Jews that tend to vote any differently.
The real question would be if the rural living Jews voted much differently than urban living Jews. The problem is that exit polling rarely bothers to record them because they are such a minority, they usually get stuck in ‘other’ in polls in states that bother asking about religion.
Freegards
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