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...American Jews are at heart socialists. Democrats are socialists.

The right has a problem with its attitude toward groups in that we ignore their "groupness" and treat them as individuals that must all live up to the same standards of behavior in society.

I think these explanations come the closest to defining the phenomenon. Many US Jews have in their American immigrant ancestors, the socialists and anarchists of Eastern Europe that immigrated around the 1890's and prior to the Bolshevik Revolution. Emma Goldman is a good example. So is Michael Newdow.

The phrase .."we ignore their 'groupness'", is very profound. It is the same dynamic that causes "groups" such as blacks and Hispanics to feel welcome by the Democrats. Many of these people have not thought of themselves as individuals, but members of a larger whole. This dynamic is not lost on the Democrats, and confuses Republicans.

"HOW CAN SO MANY AMERICAN JEWS STILL SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATS?

It is quite simple really, the American Jews are at heart socialists. Democrats are socialists. QED"

Traditionally ethnic groups vote Democrat because of history. When ethnic groups came to the States in the late 1800's, there were politicians there that promised them everything in return for a simple vote.

This was handed down from generation to generation, not unlike a parent handing down a story or a recipe. People do not like change and as you may have noticed with first or even second generation Americans, the desire to change just isn't there.

Combine that with economics, where immigrants didn't have much and you have the makings of a very loyal Democrat. Doesn't matter if the politician didn't do crap in 30 years. People do not change.

What excellent points about how Republicans have ignored the "group identity" of various groups! Bravo! But I believe that it is a "hard-wiring" problem: We Republicans believe in individual integrity, opportunity, and responsibility; that is in contrast to those who are enslaved by the Dims and socialists. The latter are not comfortable with the concept of their individual identities. Like groups of little kids, they feel much safer in packs or groups, being told how to think or how to respond rather than coming up with satisfactory answers for themselves. It is why President Bush (a LEADER) is willing to stake his political future on issues that are dear to him (National security, Israel, Iraq, tax cuts, school choice, pro-life), while the former occupant of the WH was obsessed with reacting how the polls seemed to want him to act (herd or mob mentality).

It seems like the American Jews are reacting as a group out of a vestigial fear rather than from issues of intellect. If intellect prevails, we Republicans win hands down every time. If fear of individuality or oblique threats to their security prevails (whether or not these threats are factual), the left wins. Sad. Thinking people should not allow themselves to be duped by irrational hysteria instead of acting with reasoned evaluation of what the big picture really shows.