Posted on 11/01/2004 2:16:04 PM PST by 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-
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
Is that out of pure love for a lone civilization in the Muslim back water region or is that love there for another reason?
The religious right extended the hand of friendship to Jews and they spit in their palms.
Is that hand being extended in friendship or is there a catch? A catch as in, "Now let us proselytize all over and to your children". I personally do not need friends like that.
Please reference Scripture -- God will not allow Israel to collapse. It's just not gonna happen and the US has been raised up to prevent it.
I never claimed to "know all about Jews" but I am mystified by their love of the DemoRat Party. Eighty per cent allegiance is a lot of love. I lived in the San Fernado Valley for 10 years and this undying loyalty never ceased to amaze me.
However, your reply confirms the axiom amongst ingrates that "No good deed goes unpunished." Maybe you would fit in better with the DemoRats (maybe you are one?). After all there are so many that think like you -- perverted logic syndrome. You know the kind. You can find them on college campuses all over America. In those places Hamas, Yasser Arafat, Al Qada, and various other despicable creatures are all considered "freedom fighters" by your beloved DemoRat buddies. Yes, the DemoRat faculty on our most prestigious campuses love your heroes. I'll refuse your gross invitation but maybe you ought to kiss the ass of your "freedom fighters." I get the feeling you would feel much better there. You might feel right at home.
Grow up, you pissant wanker.
Show proof that I support Hamas or Arafat or STFU. I have never been nor will I ever be a Democrat. You knew you were wrong with generalizations about Jews, so rely on the old, "call your opponent a Dmeocrat" strategy.
As has been mentioned before, religious Jews tend to vote conservative while secularized Jews vote Democrat. When secularized Jews begin to vote like other white (conservative) Americans, they quickly cease to be identifiable as Jews. Liberalism is their Jewish religion, so when they lose their liberalism, they lose their Jewishness.
Jews are not more liberal than other secularized Americans, there's just a higher percentage of secularized Jews than there is secularized Christians.
If you desire to point with pride at identifiable Jews who vote conservative, encourage them to be more religious.
How, then, do you explain the fact that Orthodox Jews are the most politically conservative?
Hi Bella.
Remember, none of those are "true" Christians.
Jews are unable to disassociate ourselves from our co-religionists so easily.
Brilliant analysis! You probably saved me a lot of frustration, hehe.
Of course.
Thanks for explaining that. I've been wondering how Gore winning the popular vote if all the Christians voted for GWB. :>)
As an aside, while Gore got 80% of the Jewish vote in NY, Hillary got around 53%, lower than her statewide (Christian?) margin. Over a third of the Jewish Gore voters crossed over and voted for Rick Lazio. And they get dumped on here thread after thread. Makes you wonder.
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful answer. It shows a willingness to understand and a desire to explain something that is very puzzling to many on this board. Your explanation is very interesting and thought provoking. I must admit I have never quite thought of "liberalism" as being an anchor that American Jews hold onto for the sake of identity.
I listen to Dennis Prager (sp?) and he seems to be very comfortable with being Jewish and conservative. Maybe it is also because he appears to be very religious and spirtual. Many thanks for your thoughtful words and wisdom.
Have a great day and good luck to us -- Go Bush.
Thank you for being so divisive on the Election Day. You are a real American and a real conservative.
And if 80% of the country voted against Bush I would be very, very, very, very surprised and would ask why? A huge number of American Jews (a huge percentage, maybe 70-80%) are voting against Bush right now and, yes, I find that amazing. You don't have to imply "ugly" thoughts on my part. Many people on this board are just dumbfounded by this statistic. If 50% of American Jews voted for George Bush I would not have brought up the matter. Have a good day and hopefully George Bush will carry the day.
No, you just imply that those who will not agree with your sweeping generalizations are Democrats or Hamas supporters.
I must be growing on you. You did not call me a pizzant wanker or offer me a warm cup of STFU this time. ;-)
Hey, I may have been insensitive (it would not be the first time) and if I offended you or anyone on this board I am truly sorry. I really am. Maybe the election is getting to me and I really am having trouble with my fellow citizens (all kinds) who, for some reason, are not voting for our President. A man, who has steadfastly stood firm against terrorist and people who would do all of us harm.
Hey, have a great day and I truly am sorry if I offended you or gave you the impression that I am a "know it all" and know everything about American Jews or Judaism.
Take care, good luck to you and to our President.
Cheers.
Re: Why Don't US Jews Move On? From Continental Soldier | 11/02/2004 2:11:27 PM PST replied My 'generalizations' are based on history and on facts. Your post, however, seem based on denials. Want to put me in my place? All you have to do is show me any election results that contradict what I said.
Now show us your facts and history that all American Jews are not patriotic.
As previously posted on this thread, in the 2000 New York Senate campaign, Jews voted for Hillary Clinton at a lower rate than New Yorkers in general.
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