I Editor's Letter
J.Arc
That Vexing Vote
T
he freedoms we celebrate each Fourth of July will
play out big time when we vote later this year. Were it
not for our representative democracy, America would
be a very different place. Despite our sometimes poor choices
in balloting, our political system works more times than not.
That the U.S. Constitution has only been amended 27 times in
234 years is a tribute to the vision of our founding fathers in
imagining the most resonant form of government.
The Constitution doesn't compel cit-
izens to be involved politically or even
to vote. We can ignore Election Day,
if we want, without losing the right to
challenge the records of elected offi-
cials or to just cast our dissent. But this
great land of ours works best when
the people are informed, engaged,
tb. 14110
questioning and open-minded — and
when they vote. Our government is
Robert Sklar
only as responsive as the public ser-
Editor
vants we elect.
Voting is a privilege, not just a
responsibility. Unfortunately, too many of us take it for grant-
ed; in many parts of the world, people have never experienced
a democratic election's bounty.
In the quiver of politics, we Jews don't flail; we vote! We still
vote overwhelmingly Democratic, but at least 25 percent of
us now vote Republican and more of us have become
Independents. We're not predictable, nor should
we be. We no longer have a clearly distinct
voice on domestic issues or Israeli politics.
And that's okay; robust and responsible
debate typically reaps dividends.
We Matter
Because only 1 percent of the American
population gets involved in political par-
ties or runs for public office, Jewish political
involvement does have an impact. It does so
not only through active support of candidates
and issues, but also through heightened Jewish influ-
ence overall. Significantly, Jews make up 2 percent of the U.S.
population, but vote in far greater proportion than many eth-
nic groups. Yes, we're divided on some issues, but we acutely
understand the democratic franchise to form opinions,
embrace issues and be part of a vibrant political process.
Diverse as we are, Jews still have a political agenda that res-
onates in substantive areas like equal rights and social justice,
not just foreign policy. The agenda includes:
• Religious issues — such as church-and-state separation,
autopsy limits and kosher food fraud.
• Senior issues — such as how we choose and fund services
(the Jewish community has a higher percentage of elderly
than the population as a whole).
• Labor issues — such as workplace discrimination
because of ethnicity or gender.
• Human right issues — such as European anti-Semitism,
Sub-Saharan Africa genocide and Third World hunger.
• Education issues — such as tuition-funded school vouch-
ers and support for public education.
Vulnerable Jews are at great risk locally — our older adults
who are frail, who have a disability or who are on fixed
income; our special needs community; our young families
struggling to meet their expenses. More and more Jews are
turning to Federation and its agencies for support, stressing
those resources. So please: Ask candidates how they would
aid the most vulnerable groups among us — and whether
they comprehend how Jewish communal services blend with
public and private funds as well as highly organized volunteer
efforts.
Foremost on the Jewish agenda is an independent, secure,
prosperous Israel with internationally recognized borders and
a peaceful coexistence. This outcome would assure the future
Jewish character of the tiny, but oh-so-courageous country for
generations to come.
Accountable Congress
With Michigan's 15-member congressional delegation up
for election this year, the Jewish vote will be key; candidates
surely respect that. Congressional issues with a Michigan
twist are plentiful: economic stimulation to create jobs and
expand business; federal support for Detroit regional initia-
tives that strengthen economic and social ties (such as an
Ann Arbor-Metro Airport-Detroit rail line); development of
the aerotropolis concept to transform the Metro-Willow Run
airport corridor into an economic powerhouse. All of these
issues have the potential to make Southeast Michigan more
attractive for young professionals, who we desperately need
more of. The Jewish community has been hard hit by the
flight of young adults to trendy urban hotspots.
The congressional agenda also includes reinforce-
ment of the special and strategic relationship
between Israel and America, tenuous at the
moment given the Obama administration's
dangerous indifference toward the West's
staunchest ally in the embattled Middle East.
Congress also must be at the forefront
of strong, effective sanctions (and military
awareness) against Iran and its nudear ambi-
tions; be resolute in the fight against global ter-
rorism, especially from Islamist extremists and
deceptive mosques that jeopardize the West, Israel
and Jews everywhere; be undeterred in upholding
such reeds of liberty as religious freedom, civil rights, a free
press and free speech; and be unbowed by the sham that is the
United Nations when it comes to legitimate, fair arbitrating.
Also, U.S. Supreme Court nominees are always a high priority.
The Big Picture
The Detroit Jewish community has 58,700 people of vot-
ing age, according to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit's 2005 population study. That number is perhaps
50,000 today, still large enough to sway an election.
Jewish stakes relative to foreign policy are high. Jews must
challenge candidates about Israel's security needs, homeland
security threats, anti-Semitism's metastasizing and American
involvement in the Middle East. These can't be the only con-
siderations for Jews before voting in the primary on Aug. 3
and in the general election on Nov. 2 — but they certainly
must rank near the top of the list. Li
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