By Mark David Blum, Esq.
War dialing hit me last night as I got a telephone call from a Republican “Jew” who said that as a Jew, it is very important for my safety and the safety of Israel to vote Republican in the upcoming Congressional race.
Let me be here as perfectly clear as I was on the phone: I am an American Jew and I will never stand with or support the Republican Party or its ideologies. Policies which encourage the expansion of terrorism, expand the reach of evangelical Christianity, and policies which seek to “take the fight there instead of here” threaten my existence as an American and as a Jew.
Four years ago, during my suspension, one of the more glorious jobs I did was to drive a street sweeper around from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. cleaning various parking lots from Shoppingtown to Wegmans in Auburn. My first few nights out were in the passenger seat; learning both the route and how to operate the machine. Spending that many hours in the cab of a truck with a kind hearted good man who is also one of those Upstate Republicans was a most interesting experience. We spent many hours together sharing opinions and thoughts on just about everything.
One night, we pulled into a Hess for a coffee fill up. While meandering about inside the store, I was having a very “Jewish” discussion with the owner about the price of a cup of java. When I turned to my partner and shared my thoughts on how outrageous was the price, and not knowing of my heritage, he looked me dead in the eye and inquired,
“What are you, a half Jew?”
To him, the ultimate insult about being “cheap” was being Half a Jew.
“Nope”, I said smiling most evilly. “I am 100% full blooded American Jew.” It was nice to hear of his lack of malicious intent though I doubt he understood why I was so offended. Being called cheap is not an insult; it’s a badge of honor. Being a Jew is an honorable heritage. But to him, I was not even good enough to be a full Jew. Mustering all my Jewish powers, I manipulated that goyisha schmuck to pay for my coffee. ‘Guilt’ is a wonderful thing.
I tell you that story because it makes a very important point. This buddy of mine was likewise a staunch Republican. In his mind, Osama and Sadaam were one in the same. While I tried to reach out to his heart and mind, he was very entrenched in his opinions and attitudes. His votes always went to the Republican Party. He is who ‘they’ are and the type of ‘base’ the Party always seeks to keep riled up against one feigned enemy or another.
Over the past years, I have seen well who in fact are the friends and supporters of the Republican Party policies and who intend to vote for their continuation. I see the hardcore Christian Right being the Republican core base. Crosses were embedded in the podium at the 2004 Republican convention. These are the people who seek to instill Christian values in schools and in society. Republicans are the ones who want to limit voter access to the polls, do not recognize a basic fundamental inalienable right to privacy of the self. Republicans are the party of big spenders (retail, I might add … and to Halliburton as well), and the massive growth of government and taxes. They are a warrior people; an evangelical people.
Jews are not a warrior People. We are a peaceful lot. Culturally, we give so much to our communities and have always worked hard to join in and advance whatever culture we find ourselves. We do not even have a concept of ‘Hell’. That idea is a gift to mankind from our Christian brothers. Until 1948, the Jews opted to suffer the pains of stupid human tricks rather than bring on bloodshed. Those that were not randomly slaughtered just moved on. Since 1948, the words “Never Again” are not a slogan; they are a blood oath shared by all Jews.
The first Jews arrived here in the United States back in the early 1600’s. Apparently, a boatload of about 20 Jews left Brazil and relocated to one of the early American settlements. Someone had to open the bank, be the lawyers and doctors, and start up the newspapers. My family has been in the United States for five generations.
For almost 200 years, Jews were the also-rans of American politics. There have been more Catholic Presidents than Jews. Our votes and dollars were always sought, but no party wanted to be affiliated as being ‘for the Jews’. Republicans found a way around that by supporting Israel; not from the perspective of a Jew, but as a final home for Christians at the time of the Apocalypse. They beg for our votes but bash us in public.
Whenever you hear the magic buzzwords of “Hollywood”, MSM, or attacks upon certain celebrities, to a trained ear, you hear the word “Jew”. Underlying all these attacks upon American institutions is the capitalization upon the ignorance of folks like the street sweeper and play the race card without ever having to say the word. Christians and Republicans see Jews as a threat to their ultimate control of Israel and return of Christ. Like their Muslim brothers, Christians are an offshoot cult of Judaism and also like their Muslim brothers, Christians have always held Jews in great contempt. The earth is well stained with our blood as Christians and Muslims have tried to win the day by the point of a sword.
Siding with the current Republican agenda is not going to alleviate the attacks in Israel and here in the United States. It is only making it worse. American policy has escalated the terrorist attacks exponentially. Ten years ago, would Hezbollah dared to kidnap an Israeli soldier?
Our president argues that we must take the fight to them to prevent the fight from coming here. “Taking the fight to them” means taking the fight to Israel. Now, the U.S. is provoking Iran who in turn is threatening Israel. If memory serves, it was not until George Bush labeled Iran part of the Axis of Evil, that the Iranians turned on their nuclear development machine.
When Clinton was President, he made it his goal to end the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. He almost succeeded; until his lame duck status was obvious. There were accords and peace and doors opening and withdrawals and but-for the insolvable issue of Jerusalem, it was all but done and over. Then we saw what happens with the Right wing take-over. First, Ariel Sharon incited the second intifada, then our own President began his Holy Crusade. Since then, the entire region has turned into chaos.
I am an American Jew. I am an American voter. I am not an Israeli and my first priority is to American interests. Anybody who seeks to line up support for the Republican party based on religion cannot ask a Jew to support them. Nothing a Jew believes in; socially, politically, morally, or economically is consistent with the Bush Administration and current Republican doctrine.
Most importantly of all, let us not forget that it was Bush’s blind charge into Iraq that has become the #1 recruiting event for new anti-Israel sentiment and increased death. Our local Congressman invited a known terrorist to march down the streets of Syracuse because they rally Republican votes.
No Jew could forget that Bush and Rove have deep financial and family connections to pre and post WWII Nazis. “According to Bob Woodward's Bush at War, Bush attended a New York Yankees game soon after the September 11 World Trade Center disaster. He wore a fireman's jacket. As he threw out the first pitch, the crowd roared. Thousands of fans stuck out their arms with thumbs up. Karl Rove, sitting in the box of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, likened the roar of the crowd to "a Nazi rally."
As an American, vote your conscience. But if your status as a Jew is the deciding factor for whom you cast your vote, then how could you ever stand together with the right wing religious fundamentalists. Israel will be safe no matter who is President. American Jews have a great deal of political influence over Congress. Think of your home, not your homeland. This election will determine whether you have a right to live in either.
Every time I think of a Republican seeking my support because I am a Jew, all I have to do is remember the guy in the street sweeper and say … NEVER AGAIN. I will not stand politically with people who think like him.
