"The Democrats, who once successfully carried the mantle of social justice at least, have decomposed into the party of losers and parasites; the party of the infinite unearned entitlement; the party of surrender and appeasement; the party of race-based hand-outs; the party of sinecured unaccountable government employees."

Not to mention the party of bad grammar, punctuation, spelling and reasoning ability. Which should be an affront to a people who pride themselves on being learned.

nice rant.

you write: "The Republicans are a party of equal opportunity, enterprise, self-reliance and security."

tell that to the gay people who are denied the right to marriage by the christian bigot that leads the republican party. tell the people who are afflicted with certain diseases that stem cell research cannot be pursued b/c the christian bigot that leads the republican party has 'issues' with the science--and takes a positively 16th century attitude towards certain science.

please shark man--lay off the vitriol and apply some of that scruity and reason that you bring to certain local issues.

otherwise get some pom poms and a short skirt.

The Democrats are also the party of Jesse Jackson("Hymietown"), Cynthia McKinney, Fritz Hollings and other assorted anti-semites including Hillary who was witnessed referring to someone as a "dirty jew bastard" - Google it, but I'm close to what she said. I can believe it.

If you are Jewish and voting for the Democrats, maybe you are not connecting the dots and seeing the pattern. If you are Hollywood elite Jewish(Barbra, et al), I have nothing but contempt for you.

dinesh

stay on topic. your globalization of every issue with your usual simplistic broadsides of complicated issues gets tiring.

broadsides? i'm responding to the 'global' assertion that one party (the republicans) are the party of equal opporuntity (but see gay marriage) and enterprise (stem cell research).

you guys are actually alleging that the democratic party is a party of anti-semites? that's crap. i bet more registered republicans in this country harbour anti-semitic beliefs--but hey, we are all speculating here.

instead of attacking me, why not address the substance of the critique? i suspect b/c some of these items are, frankly, indefensible.

I disagree with Bush and many other Republicans on how they're approaching the gay marriage issue. I argue within the party for more inclusiveness on this and other social issues, but get a grip. Most societies have precluded gay marriage since the concept of marriage was invented. The only reason we're having the gay marriage discussion now is because gay people have unprecedented civil rights and social acceptance in nearly every other way.

The fact is the Republicans, like most Americans, are evolving to be more accepting of gay people, not less accepting. (Did you notice that the VP has an openly gay daughter who has held jobs in the administration? When in American history has that ever happened?) The Democrats, on the other hand, are evolving more in the negative directions that I mentioned.

Maybe Jews don't like Republicans because they correctly recognize the GOP as the Party of bigotry, right-wing Christian "values," attacks on women's freedom, massive spending and massive deficits, bizarro ideas about terror and its threats; a Party in the clutch of hatred and hypocricy. Perhaps they don't like the love affair between the GOP's leader, Bush, his family, and our principal enemy, the consummate Jew-haters, the Saudis. Perhaps they do connect the dots, rather well, as it turns out.

I'm a Jewish Republican. My extended family consider me weird. The reasons given here for Jews to vote Republican aren't relevant to my cousins. For them, Republicans are ALWAYS the bad guys.

I think part of the reason for their unswerving opposition to Republicans is that most of them live in the New York City area. Their anti-Republican views get confirmed by those around them and their media.

Another part of the reason may be that some of our ancestors were active in trade unions or socialist movements. Although the current generations no longer have those affiliations, they still retain the idea that unions and governments represent goodness.

.... i bet more registered republicans in this country harbour anti-semitic beliefs--but hey, we are all speculating here.

so, dinesh, you're betting and speculating on the minds of the vast majority of republicans? maybe, you missed some of the prominent Democrat names mentioned above that can FACTUALLY be accused of anti-semitism with their own words.
if you want to speculate about others, I'll take you up on that. we can both play that game. I bet you are not very well educated, have little experience with a wide range of diverse people, and have poor self-esteem. your above statement tells me as much.

I come from Australia where, like America, Jews traditionaly vote for Labor (our equivalent of the Democrats). In the younger generation this is changing. Fast. I suspect the same trend is happpening with young American Jews.

Unless personal attacks are part of the fun of participating in a blog, in which case never mind this comment, I don't know why onecent has to be so harsh on dinesh. I happen to know both Stefan and dinesh. dinesh is actually very well educated and from what I know, has experience with a very diverse group of people. He also has enough self-esteem to be partnered with one of the smartest, most capable women I know. Frankly, I have to agree with his implication that Stefan is sounding rather like a cheerleader lately. It's one thing to decide that the current Administration is the better of only 2 (and some say not very different) choices but another to brush off lightly disagreements with major issues like abortion rights.

Ok, gay "marriage", no, in my book. Equality, sure, but not marriage.

Stem cells research, highly restricted to boundries.

dinesh, just WHO had the higher percentage of "ayes" in the 1964 equal rights amendment? Wasn't democrats....

http://www.africanamericans.com/CivilRightsActof1960.htm

"In the Middle" is the pen name of Mrs. Shark. It's true, Dinesh is an old friend of ours. He's a good guy, even if some of his political views are different from mine, and in some cases even a little wacky.

Mrs. Shark asked me to say that she meant to add that "Stefan is also very well educated and also has enough self-esteem to be partnered with one of the smartest, most capable women I know".

Amid all the ranting you're all missing the major point Stefan and David made -

1) Jewish people view the Dems as the "good guys" -out for the regular guy and the Repubs as the "bad guys" - out for the rich and the "evil" religious right.
I kid around in my circles that if Mickey Mouse ran on the Dem line he'd still get 60% of the Jewish vote. (Many likely just wouldn't vote)

2) Jewish Dems despite what Arabs/Muslims and many anti-semites like to say, do not prioritize nor talk a great deal about Israel. Its not their A #1, #2 or even #3 issue and are in fact very open minded on it. An Arab speaker for Israel actually pointed out this obvious fact inverted by Arab lies. He said the opposite is the truth get 20 Arab/Muslims in a room and invariably 1 of the main topics of conversation will be Israel and the US imperialism.

Further, contrast this with Arab/Muslim community likely to overwhelmingly vote against Bush despite their values being very similar to the conservative values of Midwesternd Southern Republicans.

3)Jewish Dems still see the bad guys as the Chrsitian religious right and refuse to see or acknowledge the real "bad guy"/enemy - Muslim and far left wing incitement and anti-semitism. They don't see the danger of the Wahabi lobby groups funded by Saudi Arabia etc... nor do they read, hear or listen to speeches/transcripts at Memri or of postings at left wing sites and "Peace Rallies" or on College Campuses.

And if you read the NY Times you'll see more on the evils of Bush than you will of the Heads of Islam... You'd be hard pressed to find anything hard core on the latter.

Thus, many Jews figure Kerry and "every US President" since FDR has been pro-Israeli and Bush is a Republican and Religious Conservative.
And this war on terror? Well why the hell did we go to Iraq anyway.

You can't get what you don't get. Get it?

Mike

Some of my earlier commentary on this issue:

May 11, 2004: Another Email to Co-religionist Family Members

April 4, 2004: Lame Defenses of Kos

November 04, 2003: Democrats Embrace ‘Impresario of Hatred’

July 24, 2003: Is Tuchus-licking Kosher, Joe?

January 26, 2003: DENIAL ain’t just a river in Egypt

January 22, 2003: I don’t trust Joe Lieberman.

And some useful quotations:

“Some in my party are sending out a message that they don’t know a just war when they see it, and, more broadly, are not prepared to use our military strength to protect our security and the cause of freedom.” Sen. Joe Lieberman, “(7/28/03)

“Yes, I’m probably going to vote for George Bush next time - all things being equal. Even though I disagree with him on a whole host of domestic matters from taxes, Social Security, prescription drugs, nevertheless the single most important matter to me and one that should be to the whole United States is terrorism, security of the country, security of the homeland, standing up to those who want to destroy us. And he’s doing that better than Gore would have, and I don’t know anybody who would do it as well at this moment in the Democratic Party.” Ed Koch, Mayor of New York City (April 2003)

“For those who care intelligently about the security of the country, it’s just not safe yet to vote Democratic.” Ed Koch, Mayor of New York City (April 2003)

Oh, and ask boifromtroy about gay Republicans.

The Dhimmicrats will bring Sharia faster than Jerry Falwell will turn back the clock. Trust me, the EUroappeasers will end up causing more harm to the gay cause by emboldening and strengthening militant Islam.

Most of my friends (Jewish) are ABB. They just don't see the Islamist threat. And many just never will. Bush doesn't subscribe to my social preferences, but he recognizes what is most important to America today.

I see little or no reason why so many posters have to act like spoiled brats and resort to child-like name calling. In general: Concervatives are snide, mean spirited, name callers; liberals are guilt-ridden, seek peace and harmony at all costs.

Jews got a lift uyp the ladder via Democrats (FDR et al). Many have now pulled the ladder away for those coming after...If you truly believe the top folks in GOP are all for the Jews then you live in a strange world. I am old enough, and have been in service twice, and know that social justice and help for the masses will never come from the GOP.

Dont forget Cruz "Atzlan" Bustamante. I checked out Aztlan's website once and they are HUUUGE anti-semites.

Just for the record, I'm conservative, bisexual, and opposed to same-sex marriage.

Frankly, I just don't see how you can argue with any kind of logical consistency that gender is irrelevant to marriage, but numbers (polygamy) and biological relationships (incest) are.

I am a Jew who has strong hawkish attitudes on defense and am quite pro-Israel, and have no problem voting for good Republicans, but why would I actually want to joint he Republican Party?

I vote for the best person, which sometimes is a Democrat, and sometimes is a Republican. Both parties have strong points, and both have weak points, but in the end, I tend more towards the Democrats then the Republicans.

The anti-Israel folks in the Democratic party are basically marginalized (look at McKinney) -- but in the Republican party, the religious right is the power-maker...as a Jew, my historic memory will not allow me to support a party in which the religious right is dominant...I appreciate their support for Israel, but on so many domestic, social and theological issues they are anathema to Judaism as I believe it and practice it.

If the Republican party as a whole jettisoned the religious right and adopted social tolerance combined with hawkishness on defense, they would be much more attractive to Jews. However, I do not think such a scenario is likely. I have nothing but appreciation for folks like Shark who are doing their part to move their party in that direction, but as someone in the middle, I am not willing to jump over to the GOP quite yet!

Just for the record, I'm conservative, bisexual, and opposed to same-sex marriage.

I'm moderate, gay, and in favor of same-sex marriage.

I also am strongly in favor of apple pie and the flag.

Frankly, I think the "Religious Right" is largely a left-wing boogeyman the left uses to keep its voters in line. Not that it doesn't exist, but the extent of its powers and the depths of its ambitions are greatly exaggerated.

i appreciate the support from mr and mrs. shark! but really my point is to critique any suggestion that one party is better than the other as a general proposition. i believe our binary political system, with its heavy dependence on corporate and individual fundraising has resulted in a political system which is viewed by most americans as something like sport. we discuss politics and politicians much like we do athletes. given that such a low percentage of eligible voters actually participate in the electoral process, media coverage of politics has become increasingly vapid of content or reason ('infotainment') and the virtual even split of the voting public between the two parties suggests that something is wrong with our political system.

i appreciate (usually) the reasoned critique that you, shark, provide on this blog. i find this especially true of local, washington issues. i also appreciate the hawkish stance with respect to israeli security type issues, although i admit that some of the views and reasoning is new to me, but that's why i read it--to become informed.

it seems, however, that we all lapse into overgeneralizations. i am very troubled by the direction this administration has led the country, especially on the big 3: 1) fiscal policy; 2) national security; and 3) social issues.

i don't mean to offend--hence my gentle prodding of mr. shark. i trust that my text is read at least by him, with an understanding that i seek neither to be mean or petty, but rather to make a point.

fundamentally, however, i can't understand why any of us is a member of either party. i think that both parties have ceased to effectively represent their constituents--and instead seek a consolidation of power in their party. so in that respect i concur with the earlier post for praising shark for attempting in his own way to recast the republican party as one of greater inclusiveness. that day, unfortunately, has yet to arrive in my estimation.

Uh...the reason I can't support Bush?
Let's try competency, first.
Even though I am a "liberal" -- whatever that means these days -- I wouldn't mind a "conservative" as President -- so long as he has got ability and gravitas.

I'm Jewish, and for me the security issue, including the security of Israel is the number one campaign issue. Obviously therefore, I am definitely against Kerry, McDermott, Murray and any local politician that tries to use his office to interfere in national politics (such as city councilmens declaring intention to violate the Patriot Act).

But I don't want to join the Republican party, and consider myself an independent. I could have supported Lieberman, and his very poor showing in the primaries I attribute to anti-Jewish attitudes within the Democratic party. So although I agree with the first paragraph in Mike Silverman's post above, I can't agree that the 'anti-Israel folks in the Democratic party are basically marginalized.' Do you think McDermott and Murray aren't anti-Israel? Or are marginalized? In the past I tended to support Democrats more, but I think the party has gone way, way, way left, leaving me tending more toward moderate Republicans.

freddie - "Jews got a lift uyp the ladder via Democrats (FDR et al). Many have now pulled the ladder away for those coming after...If you truly believe the top folks in GOP are all for the Jews then you live in a strange world."

What does "pulled the ladder" mean? If it means that they denied opportunity to others, then I believe this is an unsupportable generalization, and in fact contradicted by reality.

I donb't believe that the "top folks in GOP are all for the Jews". This sounds like a sweepingly vague rant.

My relatives hate Bush because they think he's incredibly incompetent. They think that because the NYT and all their (NY) friends said so, and if you can't trust the NYT and your (NY) friends, whom can you trust?
This was a pretty shocking view for me, a blog addict.

here's perhaps a reason why more texas jews are not republicans....

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2610350

note the prayer invocation at the beginning.

sullivan pointed me to this.

Tom Coburn: Bad on Israel. Bad on Jewish Issues. Wrong for the U.S. Senate

Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, would easily be the most Anti-Israel member of the Senate if elected. His voting record and history of insensitive remarks on Jewish issues shows why Jewish Americans and all citizens who support Israel’s democratic achievement should unite to stop him:

· In the U.S. House, Coburn refused to condemn Palestinian suicide bombers.

· Coburn earned rebukes from across the country when he called Schindler’s List “profanity.”

· Coburn consistently voted to deny aid to Israel during six years in Congress.

Tom Coburn’s extreme social agenda is also frightening. Coburn recently called for the execution of doctors who perform abortions, he believes citizens should have the right to own bazookas, and he has declared that “there's a far greater fear in this country of our own government than the fear of terrorism.”

We can keep Tom Coburn out of the U.S. Senate by helping Democrat Brad Carson stop him in his tracks.

In the most recent poll, Brad Carson beat Coburn by 3 points. But Coburn is a formidable campaigner and is backed by radical rightwing groups, notably the Club for Growth.

Help Brad Carson. Stop Tom Coburn. American Jews cannot afford to have a man like Coburn in the U.S. Senate

This comment about the UBL tape is the most disturbing because of our support to Israel. Kerry will turn his back on Israel. I hope the Jewish community caught this.

"Admitting for the first time that he ordered the Sept. 11 attacks, bin Laden said he did so because of injustices against the Lebanese and Palestinians by Israel and the United States."

So basically, Bin Laden is calling for the American people to NOT back Israel which would be a Kerry Presidency. NO THANKS!!! Live or Die I prefer NOT to turn our backs on Israel...EVER!!!

Kerry is shown to be an appeaser so HE will turn his back on Israel then want to BOAST about how he squelched the TERROR threat.

zocor