Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Vote Jewish
I suppose a Rebbe could tell you who to vote for. Or you could read the newspaper and see which candidate supports Israel more. But I think either method shortchanges the democratic process.
I've had this argument before, but I don't believe that 300 million people are supposed to vote on their self-interest, and that somehow that will settle out to what is best for the majority. Every citizen is supposed to vote for what is best for the whole, and that diversity of approaches should aggregate to a "best choice," or the lesser of two evils.
So I don't understand how somebody can narrowly vote on "Jewish issues." Can you use Judaism as a moral/ethical basis to form your opinions of organized society? Sure. Can you use your experience as a religious minority to build a more open and tolerant society for all? Of course. You can even use a forceful anti-terror stance as a backbone for a foreign policy in defense of Israel.
But what I can't take are people that just count the dollars going to Israel, to Jewish schools, or back to themselves. The Israel issue is most troublesome, as we are using our citizenship in one country solely as a lever for supporting another country. But if we are too selfish in any one position, then we've simply turned democracy into a feuding state.
So go out and vote, but don't just look for a Jewish name.
I've had this argument before, but I don't believe that 300 million people are supposed to vote on their self-interest, and that somehow that will settle out to what is best for the majority. Every citizen is supposed to vote for what is best for the whole, and that diversity of approaches should aggregate to a "best choice," or the lesser of two evils.
So I don't understand how somebody can narrowly vote on "Jewish issues." Can you use Judaism as a moral/ethical basis to form your opinions of organized society? Sure. Can you use your experience as a religious minority to build a more open and tolerant society for all? Of course. You can even use a forceful anti-terror stance as a backbone for a foreign policy in defense of Israel.
But what I can't take are people that just count the dollars going to Israel, to Jewish schools, or back to themselves. The Israel issue is most troublesome, as we are using our citizenship in one country solely as a lever for supporting another country. But if we are too selfish in any one position, then we've simply turned democracy into a feuding state.
So go out and vote, but don't just look for a Jewish name.
# posted by Josh : Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Comments:
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I agree.
Orthodox Jews, specifically, are in danger of becoming one issue voters.
Think about your choice a little, and what that will mean to the country you're in now, then vote.
Orthodox Jews, specifically, are in danger of becoming one issue voters.
Think about your choice a little, and what that will mean to the country you're in now, then vote.
# posted by 
: November 07, 2006 9:25 AM
: November 07, 2006 9:25 AM
That's why I never vote across party lines. Just stick with your republican candidate and the country will be alright. Unfortunately the difference between parties nowadays is issues rather than the best interest of the country.
Although I'm Canadian so what does it matter?
Although I'm Canadian so what does it matter?
Vote straight Republican eh Dudie? I can just picture the results if everyone did that... A country run by Southern Born-Again Christians. No stem-cell research, no right to choose, the defense budget would have all the money, no social security, no money for education, aside from no 4th amendment we'd probably loose the 1st too... and that's just skimming the surface (since the cabinet is republican as well as the president and supreme court justices, some of the effects have already begun).
It's better to make informed decisions than to vote straight ticket no matter the party.
It's better to make informed decisions than to vote straight ticket no matter the party.
The first time (and only time) I voted, I didn't know what I was doing. I decided from then on I'm not going to vote. Basically what I did was vote for the president I wanted, and then I skimmed over the rest of the pages, which I really didn' have patience for, and look for any name that sounded jewish. I wonder if I'm to blame for a lot of the problems going on today lol. But needless to say, I learned my lesson, and I'd rather not vote at all if my voting makes no sense to begin with.
Politics play an important role in our lives. Sara with no h, remember, we should view the right and take the responsibility every time we cast our vote very seriously. We should celebrate the freedom of choice we are so lucky to have. We should be humbled when we go behind the curtain. Remember those who fought and died for this right, remember the power of the masses and the beauty of our democracy. Election day should make us proud to be Americans. The only thing more important in my life than politics is dating. I prefer candidates who send their phone numbers to me via waiters and endorse all who want to go out with me. But please, Shosh, and others...don't view me as a one issue guy. You can ask me my opinion on any subject about me and you'll find I'm capable of addressing a wide variety of my... issues. In the true Abramoff tradition I'm a great lobbyist, in my pajamas or out. Just like an election, there are so many "candidates" out there that I like, I need a darn ballot to keep them all straight. Wait. Did I really write an entire blog without the word date? I'm sorry. Don't leave. It's me, really.
# posted by : November 09, 2006 9:21 PM
: November 09, 2006 9:21 PM
No time to comment to everybody individually - I have an early morning flight to California - but I just wanted to note that the prior comment, while hysterical, was not me. Save some for Purim!
Hey, I'm back- only sometimes, but I still post. The place where I go blocks your blog, though, so I need another computer to check up on it.
hey Josh:
good to see you blog every now and again. and now that elections are thankfully over--I just want to add my two cents :) I hate when Rabbis endores candidates and thereby alienate people within their community. Voting is about learning the issues and making the best possible decision. Remember those teachers in grade school who's position was never evident because they gave both sides of every issue equal footing? Why can't that extend to religious leaders?
I remember someone once told me that the lubav. rebbe always voted and never disclosed his vote. FYI
good to see you blog every now and again. and now that elections are thankfully over--I just want to add my two cents :) I hate when Rabbis endores candidates and thereby alienate people within their community. Voting is about learning the issues and making the best possible decision. Remember those teachers in grade school who's position was never evident because they gave both sides of every issue equal footing? Why can't that extend to religious leaders?
I remember someone once told me that the lubav. rebbe always voted and never disclosed his vote. FYI
Josh,
I remember having this argument with you in YU and I still disagree. The vast majority of voters don't have a clue what's best for the country, nor do they care. Moreover, I don't even think we'd want most of the country to spend their time learning about intricate economic constructs or complex legal philosophies. Let people decide what is in their best interests, which is something we trust them to do in other spheres and something they can do, and let the votes add up.
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I remember having this argument with you in YU and I still disagree. The vast majority of voters don't have a clue what's best for the country, nor do they care. Moreover, I don't even think we'd want most of the country to spend their time learning about intricate economic constructs or complex legal philosophies. Let people decide what is in their best interests, which is something we trust them to do in other spheres and something they can do, and let the votes add up.
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