Why Don't US Jews Move On?

The Jerusalem Post ^ | October 31, 2004 | Tom Gross

[quidnunc]

Once upon a time most American Jews were underprivileged, and most of them voted Democrat. Then their circumstances changed, but their political allegiances remained unaltered. Around 30 or 40 years ago there was a joke which said that American Jews live like Episcopalians (i.e., relatively rich, privileged people) but vote like Puerto Ricans.

The remark was a bit racist, perhaps, but it was essentially true. Everyone knew what it meant. Only it is not true anymore. Puerto Ricans, like other Hispanics, have moved on. They now vote in a pluralistic way in accordance with their developing economic interests, ethnic concerns, and views of what is good for America as a whole. In 2000, the Hispanic vote for George W. Bush was more than 50 percent greater than the Jewish vote.

This year American Jews remain as intransigent as ever. Jews, more than almost any other group in the US, are set to vote against Bush by large margins.

Polls indicate that 69% of Jews will vote Kerry tomorrow, and only 24% for Bush. And 3% will vote for Ralph Nader, the strongly anti-Israel independent candidate of Arab descent who, according to polls, commands less than half that support among non-Jewish Americans.

-snip-

Naturally, many Jews will vote on issues completely unrelated to foreign policy or their own economic status — issues of social justice, abortion, gay rights, and so on. But much more than usual, this is a foreign policy election. Right now, the right not to get your head chopped off seems more important than that of, say, gay marriage.

-snip-

[Alouette]

I ask all FReepers to pray for the safety of my son in the IDF, who is on duty in the Jordan Valley.

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel ping list.

I am so sick of hearing this "Jews always vote for the Democrats" crap I want to throw up.

Last week I sent in my absentee ballot for President Bush.

Just this evening I watched the documentary film "9/11." I'm not talking about the Michael Moore Fahrenscheiß 911 (Personally I would like to take Michael Moore, carve him up into steaks and feed him to starving grizzley bears)

I'm talking about the film made by the two French brothers the day that it happened. See, there are at least two good French guys!

WARNING: This is a high volume ping list

[Fatalis]

I am so sick of hearing this "Jews always vote for the Democrats" crap I want to throw up.

Last week I sent in my absentee ballot for President Bush.

Good for you, but it's a sad reality that you are in the minority. I was having dinner last night and there were three Catholics and two Jews there. The Catholics are all voting for Bush and the Jews are voting for Kerry. I asked them why they were supporting the same candidate that bin Laden and Arafat support. They shrugged. I asked them why they supported the candidate who would let the Arabs drive the Jews into the sea. They shrugged. They share no values with Kerry or the Democrats, but they are mindlocked. And so are 70% to 80% of the Jews nationwide, I fear.

[Alouette]

Those numbers will change over time. The old FDR leftist Jews are dying out and their offspring are assimilating, contracepting, aborting, and queering themselves into extinction.

The Orthodox are the only segment of the Jewish community whose natural growth rate is increasing.

[Joan Kerrey]

You're right on. We're seeing the 1930s again in Europe, most of the 3rd world joins the Arab nations in bashing Israel (the single Jew among nations)and many of the rest will sellout Israel in a second if economic interests favor doing so. In the end Jewish survival in a large part of the world just might hinge on the charater and integrity of one man. The fact that most Jews will vote against that one man in large numbers is sad. In order for John Kerry to even get to step one with the world community you can expect Israel's interests to be soldout piece by piece.

[Joan Kerrey]

I'm agnostic and am voting for Bush. Bush's religion doesn't bother me at all nor does it bother quite a few of my friends who don't go to church. Just because someone is a non believer doesn't mean they are likely to vote for Kerry. Having religion or not matters little to me. Having integrity and fine character matters a great deal.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

I am so sick of hearing this "Jews always vote for the Democrats" crap I want to throw up.

WORK it, girlfriend -- ! :)

[VegasBaby]

WOOO-HOOOO!!!! I just got a call from one of my co-workers (who happens to be Jewish). I made it my mission for the campaign to convert him and I'm proud to say after 3 whole months of work, he just informed me that he will vote for GWB tomorrow.

Count one more vote for W in Nevada!!!! :)

[tuckrdout]

Wasn't that an amazing film? It should get the Oscar, not that bunch of fiction by Moore!

[lainde]

bump for later

[MarkL]

I'm not sure I believe that Jews vote Dem by that high of a margin. I don't think a whole lot of jews voted for Clinton, especially the second time after he had Yassir "Death to Jews" Arafat over for tea and 'strumpets' in the Lincoln bedroom. Old Abe must have been doing 6000RPM in his casket.

While I haven't taken any sort of a legitimate poll, I can say that from my personal experience, Jews have and do vote for Dems in the vast numbers that this posting describes. I can tell you for a fact that the vast majority of Jews voted for Clinton twice, and if you were to ask most of them, if they could, they'd vote for him again in a heartbeat, and if they get a chance, they'll vote for Hillary for president. And the photo of her hugging Arafat's wife won't matter at all.

To put it bluntly, I'm the "black sheep" of my family, not really republican, actually a conservative with "small 'l' libertarian" leanings, but I can say that I'm the only one in my extended family of about 20 who will be voting for President Bush. And that includes two cousins who live in Israel (they're there for his job... They're still American citizens...).

Mark

[zeebob]

I agree 100%. Character counts, and Kerry is devoid of it. I have a friend who is Jewish and hates Pres. Bush. She is a genuine red diaper baby; her parents belonged to the communist party when she was a girl, shes in her sixties now and her politics are very leftist. She is not a practicing Jew but a practicing pagan. I am wondering how many democrat jews have the red diaper background?

[Tolik]

Ditto "russian" Jews. They are like 60% for Bush. And that number comes form the liberal NYC.

[Alouette]

I have a friend who is Jewish and hates Pres. Bush. She is a genuine red diaper baby; her parents belonged to the communist party when she was a girl, shes in her sixties now and her politics are very leftist. She is not a practicing Jew but a practicing pagan.

How many children does she have? My guess is 0. (if you don't count the ones that she aborted)

I have 9 children and 11 grandchildren (3 more on the way)

The demography is with us while these losers extinct themselves.

[Bella_Bru]

From post 10:

Ameican Jews repay Bush's good deeds, loyalty and unwavering support with a kick in the teeth at every turn. And you know what? After Bush is re-elected he will still do the right thing. That is what honorable, men of character do. My only request to Ameican Jews is: Why do you treat your friends so poorly?

[Bella_Bru]

too many Jews think of Israel as the 51st State....

Israel is very important to many of us Jews. I see you have a problem with that.

[daviscupper]

Hmm...I think I hit a nerve.

However, Christians vote in huge percentages and numbers for George Bush. That kind of kick in the teeth George Bush appreciates. If you consider that a kick in the teeth, nobody has a problem with that, except maybe a DemoRat. I was talking about the fact that 80% of American Jews vote for DemoRats. That is the kind of kick in the teeth that hurts. It demonstrates very little gratitude for a President who has been so loyal. JMHO.

[Bella_Bru]

I have waited for many years and through many elections for Jews in America to take a patriotic stand, but, alas, they have not. I don't know what to make of that

What a pile of dogshit you just left. But hey, if generalizations are your thing...

[foreverfree]

bump

[Pharmboy]

Jewish theology is compatible with state socialism. "Tikkun Olam" is a commandment to "heal the world." Many Jews interpret that as a directive to support the welfare state.

With all due respect, that is patent nonsense. The liberal Jews are--for the most part--quite secular. To think that the Hollywood and West End Ave. Jewish crowds in NYC look for commandments to follow is just silly. (I'm sure you're not silly--just this observation).

[Bella_Bru]

Yes, your broadbrush did hit a nerve.

It demonstrates very little gratitude for a President who has been so loyal. JMHO.

You see, this is the kind of thread that would make some Jews roll their eyes and never dream of voting R for anything, not even dogcathcer.

Some FReepers say lovely things about U.S. Jews thinking about Israel too much. Others say that Israel should be what Jews are thinking of when they vote.

Perhaps you and the other FR gentiles would like to get your stories straight first before you continue pretending to 'know all about the Jews'. Until then, kiss my Bush-supporting Jewish ass.