Minority Power

In my blog on democracy, I noted the crucial role of extreme parties in Israel, that by threatening to leave coalition governments, they can exercise great power. We like to think that we are beyond that, but are we? Many of our national elections are very close and some groups take advantage of that. The Cubans in the swing state of Florida have kept us from opening dialogue with Cuba. We work with Russia and China but we are still isolating tiny Cuba. Why? The Cubans in Florida.

Former Congressman Paul Findlay, George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, and others have been telling us for years that the Jews have far more power than their numbers merit. Jews own the New York Times, have substantial interests in some banks, and have a history of being martyrs so we give them deference. And they are swing votes in critical states like New York. Their power has muffled criticism of Israel in this country. We have often been the only nation in the United Nations voting with Israel. Our military, economic, and political support of Israel as it has repeatedly oppressed the Palestinians has angered peoples around the world, particularly Moslems.

Read Jimmy Carter's Israel, Peace not Apartheid to see how the Palestinian lands have been seized and been dissected by Israeli controlled roads that connect the settlements. I've visited Israel 3 times and each time I have had more sympathy for the terrible conditions the Palestinians have to live in. I've visited a refugee camp and seen others where they have had to live for 60 years. One camp had open sewers. I've been in a beautiful new settlement in the West Bank. We were given a tour by a lady with a thick Brooklyn accent. I asked her a question noting that many Jews were heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, quoting the prophets and Biblical injunctions to protect the strangers in the land. I asked what the Jews were doing to help the oppressed Palestinians. Fire came to her eyes and she replied "God gave Israel to the Jews!" I've met moderate Jews and Moslems who want to work for peace but the extreme parties in Israel, angry Palestinians, and the Jews in America have stood in the way of democracy and/or a viable two state solution.

The Republicans have to satisfy evangelical Christians and some talk show hosts. The Democrats have been beholden to certain unions. The Black and the Hispanic votes are crucial in some swing states. These groups are crucial parts of our nation but sometimes more extreme leaders from them have yielded unusual power. As one famous newscaster used to say "thats the way it is."