The big political news over the past few days is that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has switched Parties from Republican to Democrat. This gives the Democrats a 59 to 40 lead over the Republican. With the inevitable addition of Al Franken, aka Stuart Smalley from Minnesota, the Dems will have reached the magic number of 60. For the Democrats, that means immunity from the filibuster, a tactic used by the minority that's basically talking non-stop to obstruct a vote on any given issue. An interesting point of fact-one of the longest filibusters by a Senator is 14 hours held by Robert Byrd a Democrat from West Virginia. The issue that so inspired Senator Byrd? Stopping a vote on the Civil Rights Act. But I digress.
For those of you that don't really follow the career of Arlen Specter, it must seem like the Dems have pulled off quite a coup, but in reality, Senator Specter was never a Republican to begin with. He's one of those politicians referred to as a RINO (Republican In Name Only). It's akin to a spy that has infiltrated the other side. The purpose of a RINO, or it's counterpart, the DINO, is to show up on partisan issues and act like the outraged member of the other party. For instance, when the Republicans are trying to stop legislation on Global Warming, the Dems trot out Senator Specter to act outraged at the behavior of his fellow Republicans. This allows Democrats to say things like, "The Republicans are so off-base on this issue even one of their own is against them." It works very well.
But 'Ol Arlen plays another role that isn't talked about in the Main Stream Media. Aaaand, since it's my self-appointed job to give all of you the inside ball on how the game is played, I'll pull the curtain back yet one more time.
Arlen Specter is a member of the Jewish Caucus. In fact, up until the other day he was the only Republican Jewish Caucus Member. You would think that the only Republican member of a political organization turning Democrat would be news in and of itself. I'll leave it to your fertile minds to figure out why it isn't being reported as such. I'll give you a clue though, how many behind-the-scene groups like drawing attention to themselves?
The Jewish Caucus is very unique in the House and Senate. It's unique because it is way over represented. While Jewish people make up only 2.2% of the U.S. population, they make up 14% of the Senate and 7.5% 0f the House. Compare that to The Hispanic Caucus which has 1 Senator (1%), Bob Menendez, a Cuban-American Democrat from New Jersey, and 19 House Representatives (4%) despite being the largest minority in the U.S. at about 14%. It's no wonder the Jewish Caucus likes to keep it quiet.
The Jewish Caucus is now 100% Democrat, and while it may confuse you as to why a very religious group (they are after all, a race that defines itself by their religion) would align themselves completely with the Dems. There is a very good reason.
Most base groups, like the Pro-Choice groups for instance, align themselves with the Democrats because they feel they are, for the most part, the only ones representing their group's views. But to believe that the Dems are the only Party to represent the Pro-Israeli view is quite a stretch. In fact, it's usually the Republicans that feed the Israeli war machine with their military subsidies. The Jewish Caucus operates as almost a third party. They can force Democrats like Barack Obama to bend to their will on issues pertaining to Israel by threatening their fragile majority. Refuse to cooperate and the 14 unified Senators might not back issues important to President Obama. Play the game and he's assured of their support. Remember 60 minus 14 doesn't leave the Dems with a majority at all.
The Jewish Caucus is a lesson in manipulation in politics. My point here is not to vilify the Jewish people. I am, in fact a supporter of the State of Israel and an advocate against anti-Semitism. However, the power of the Jewish Caucus is vastly under-reported. Perhaps there's even some lessons here for the other minority caucuses. For them, it might be worth considering whether they would be more powerful if they took the Jewish tact, and jumped sides themselves. H.C.
4 comments:
Ha! 0 comments 'cause everybody is too afraid to come across as believing the whole Jews-run-the-world thang. ;)
I think this is an excellent example of how American politics would work w/ a 3, possibly (hopefully) more system, as this Caucus is essentially acting as such. More emphasis will be put on the whole deal/sacrifice aspect sure, but more importantly, it would force the parties to STOP preaching solely to their base.
I understand that wasn't exactly the point of your post, but that's what I got out of it. Good job looking @ all of the angles, if only every voter did as much.
-n
Hey Nic,
"it would force the parties to STOP preaching solely to their base."
You mean we would have politicians that aren't driven by the nuttiest far left and far right wackos??? My God! That could lead to, dare I say it, sensible people who are willing to compromise running our country? Why that's MADNESS! Madness, I say! Actually, that was one of the main points and thank you for picking up on it. If only we could create an army of people who think like we do.
P.S. Jews do run the world (shhhh, don't say it too loud.). But we shouldn't hate them for it, we should compete with them.
I don't deny the potency of the Jewish force in the Congress (thanks for making that clear for us Simple Simons). But, it's also pretty refreshing to see an Executive Branch willing to put a foot down (even if it is pretty gingerly). For one, the Prez has shown - to some extent - that he doesn't mind taking less than popular views with pro-Israel lobbyists. Then, the Vice Prez himself got pretty stern with Israel regarding their support of the two-state solution.
Still, there is evidence that Israel still has just as firm of a stranglehold on the Democratic leadership we currently have as they did on the Republican leadership of yesteryear. I guess the big question remains: will the Dems stay quiet? I'm not so sure.
Hey Dre,
I think the articles you point to prove my point. If Bush and the Republicans had a policy of "Uncritical Support" then why are all the Jewish Caucus members Democrats? I also noticed that the first article showed the darkening clouds surrounding the issue of Iran. (thanks for both those links) As far as the Democrats "staying quiet", If they make too much fuss or refuse to support Israel-you can kiss that majority good-bye. Of course they won't say that, they'll make up other reasons, like that the Democrats aren't showing fiscal responsibility for instance.
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