wanton violence will follow through
on their promises.
The economic contagion that start-
ed in the Far East and has already
engulfed Russia is still spreading.
Markets in this country are in tur-
moil; Wall Street has become a thrills-
and-chills theme park.
Doom-sayers predict depression;
incumbent politicians predict just a
few bumps along the road. Sensibly,
ordinary Americans don't know what
to think.
The growing feeling that we have
entered uncharted economic waters
has major implications for the Jewish
world as well as for the nation and its
politics. Communal giving has been
flat in recent years despite the eco-
nomic boom. If recession is just
around the corner, Jewish organiza-
tions and the important services they
provide could take a big hit.
The 105th Congress compiled an
uninspiring record. The 106th could
be even less productive if the House is
preoccupied with a full-fledged
impeachment process.
The Christian Right didn't get
much of what it wanted this past year,
including a constitutional amendment
allowing prayer in. the public schools.
But the Right's prospects may
improve when the new Congress con-
venes if predications of big
Democratic losses in November prove
accurate.
Some decry the nation's preoccupa-
tion with the White House sex scan-
dal, while others decry the President
for his tawdry behavior. But increas-
ingly, everybody agrees that these
events are having a paralyzing impact
on our government — at a particular-
ly critical time in our national affairs.
The policy and political conse-
quences will be huge; just ask any
Democrat running in the November
congressional elections or any Jewish
lobbyist trying to push a measure
through Congress before the October
recess.
But as Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-
Conn.) said last week in his speech on
the Senate floor, there's a growing
recognition that the nation is facing a
serious moral crisis, as well.
Will political leaders begin to
come to grips with that reality in the
wake of a sex scandal that's part farce,
part national tragedy? Or will they
simply try to exploit the morality
issue for its short-term political
value? That could be one of the most
momentous issues of the coming
twelve months. ❑

The
Sports
,C11.111

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9/i8

1998

Detroit Jewish News 29

