Posted on 06/28/2009 2:19:03 PM PDT by Ari Bussel
Is Israel Ready? By Ari Bussel and Norma Zager
“To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions…” Adlin Sinclair
“We wrote, Rabbi Mendele, we wrote, even special emissaries we sent to the Diaspora, to collect handouts for us, and from all there is no sound and no respondent!” Mendele Book Seller’s The Burned People, 1886
The US has earmarked $2.775b in military aid to Israel for fiscal year 2010. The money can only be spent here in the USA for defense related projects, thus contributing to local employment, taxation and technological advances. Pressure is mounting on the Administration to eliminate this aid to Israel. Israel’s enemies protest the funding, using this as a weapon to force Israel onto its knees.
In the post-Madoff world, there are both a valid reason and a very good excuse to reduce charitable giving. The effects are already being felt.
Is Israel ready to deal with the new landscape?
Israel must move away from American financial dependency. Until now Israel has been living under the American golden rule: “We have the gold, we make the rules.” Israel must exhibit self-reliance and financial acumen. Independence goes to the heart of growth and achievement as a nation and a people. Taking money destroys the desire to generate new and creative sources of revenue and to retain efficiency excellence. It is imperative to ignite this energy to break new ground and move Israel forward toward its greater destiny.
Israel is not a beggar. Israeli children do not starve en masse, and families below the poverty level have government programs in place to assist them. IDF soldiers do not require the plethora of items one is constantly bombarded by requests to buy or support. If it were the case, the IDF would find the means to provide everything necessary to accomplish its mission. The non-stop stream of requests must stop – it creates an incorrect image of a poor, pitiful nation that is in reality, healthy, self-sustaining and continually reinventing itself.
There are many other requests, with one constant: one very big BALAGAN (mess). Everyone wants money, it is American Jewry’s obligation to give, and what one finger requires is not coordinated with the other four.
There are so many capable fundraisers who come from Israel, or live here and make an extraordinarily good living out of selling the same ideology many of us fight to achieve. Ideology is sacred – one either believes and practices or does not; it should not be sold or marketed as a commodity. Quite frankly, I trust many of these fundraising professionals as much as I trust a car salesman.
The Old World is so infected that the only way to handle it is by complete and utter destruction – to its very core. Out with the old, in with the new. Only then a new breed might arise that will, by its youth and agility, quick thinking and sharp vision, do good not seen for more than a century of extending a hand for handouts.
Each forest needs a fire, and fires happen in nature with amazing regularity. This allows for re-discovery, for seeds to germinate, for new growth and for old ashes to be used as nutrients. Fires can be good and were scheduled by the Grand Designer for a reason. Possibly we should pay attention and learn from nature?
Pride in one’s own achievements is a heady feeling. This philosophy of building something from nothing is what America is all about and what made us a great country. American Jews will always support Israel, for they have a vested interest. Will it not be a wonderful day when Israel is offered help and stands up proudly and says, “No thank you, we can provide all we need!”
### In the series “Postcards from Israel – Postcards from Home,” Ari Bussel and Norma Zager invite readers throughout the world to join them as they present reports about Israel, homeland of the Jewish People, as seen by two sets of eyes. This “point - counter-point” presentation has, since 2008, become part of our lives. It can be found in numerous websites around the world as well as in print in the USA.
© Postcards from Home, June, 2009 Contact: aribussel@gmail.com
The US has earmarked $2.775b in military aid to Israel for fiscal year 2010. The money can only be spent here in the USA for defense related projects, thus contributing to local employment, taxation and technological advances. Pressure is mounting on the Administration to eliminate this aid to Israel. Israel's enemies protest the funding, using this as a weapon to force Israel onto its knees.Israel needs to spell out the consequences of Syria's support for terrorist acts against Israel, then deliver those consequences when the terrorist acts continue.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Is there more than just one thread or many? I’m just interested in Israel ...
I don’t believe money is the issue. I agree Israel can manage.
Military hardware and spare parts are the issue.
another view
http://www.freeman.org/m_online/sep00/winston.htm
You are a fool Ari who is giving ammunition to Israel’s enemies. Since Israel is fighting the Jihad I am happy they get military aid from us. This is just one part of the world wide Jihad. You seem to be influenced by Ayn Rand here. Libertarianism does not work on the international stage
I hope you notice that Iran helps Hamas and Hezbollah
0bama style soaring rhetoric and platitudes and irrelevant to the situation at hand. Which is Israel under attack by the eternal Jihad. If you don't know what eternal Jihad is then you need to read more about Islam. While you are at it you should read more about the murderous life of their fake prophet who all Muslims must emulate
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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