Israel, War, and Wall Street

     It has been said for so long that it has become a truism -- a truism with which I readily agree -- that "there isn't a dime's worth of difference between the two political parties."

     So.  Let us talk about what unites them, the Democratic and Republican parties.  What is the X, Y, and Z of their political philosophy around which their common foreign and domestic policies so tightly revolve?  It is quite simple:  and it is proclaimed in almost every political rally and public media forum in the nation.

     X.  The Nation of Israel Is Always Right.  Their military always fights triumphant, righteous wars.  Their government can do no wrong -- unless, God forbid, it is unduly influenced by people committed to working for a real peace with their neighbors.

     Y.  America's Wars Are Always Right.  We have never waged an unjust war; we have never fought an ignoble battle.  And our bi-partisan intellectuals are willing to go farther -- in an unguarded moment they will admit that they think that wars as such are not a bad idea:  they unite the people! And we need to all be united.  (And our armaments industries and investors always need the money.)  God Save The Union, Now And Forever, One And Inseparable.

     Z.  Wall Street Is Always Right.  Well, maybe not always right, exactly.  But let no one doubt that they are indispensable, and that amounts to the same thing.  Indispensable to Our Way Of Life.  Too Big To Fail.  Did they mess up a little bit?  Well, if they did, it is our patriotic duty to bail them out.  It is unthinkable that our Captains Of Industry would have to take a haircut. Or go bankrupt.

     These three core beliefs are unshakable in the American political mind, whether on the left or on the right.

     My beliefs about X, Y, and Z, above?  (Not that they particularly matter.  But here goes.)  Remove the word "Always" in the above principles, and replace them with the words, "Sometimes," "Occasionally," or "Rarely," as appropriate.

     Notice that I did not say, "Never."  And I don't mean, Never.  But no human being, no institution, no cause, and no national or international crusade, should expect our complete respect, let alone our thoughtless approval, or our unquestioning support, or our undying loyalty, or our unconditional obedience.  Just my viewpoint:  and, I readily admit, a very small minority viewpoint.

     Sorry to rain on the national parade.  Have a great day on November 6, voting for X, Y, and Z.  Don't worry about which candidate you vote for: this year, they are all pre-approved.  And you will have done your civic duty for the year.  Thank you, patriotic Americans.  Stand tall for God and the American Way.


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     Your thoughts are most welcome.

     You may be interested in this interview between Bill Moyers and Mike Lofgren, the author of The Party Is Over:  How the Republicans Went Crazy, Democrats Became Useless, and the Middle Class Got Shafted. 

     This report by Philip Weiss may also be interesting to you.