Hey Ted...For the past several months I've been researching the voting records on Israel of the entire membership of 111th Congress as it pertained to Israel. Out of 436 members, I've picked out 139 members which have voted against Israel at least 1 out 5 times during this past 111th Congress. Of the 139, I expose the 60 worst which voted against the Jewish State between 2 and 5 times, where they're from, their districts, and who their opponents are. I've contacted their opponents requesting a position on Israel statement and have so far received 2 responses which I've included. I believe this information disseminated virally could potentially sway certain elections if enough Jewish people get the message. If one s.o.b. can be replaced with a friend of Israel, the effort is worth it....Jerry
Ted Belman
Jerusalem, Israel
Friday 15 October 2010
American Jews and the Political Process
by Jerrold L. Sobel
September 21, 2010
Don’t you just love the Jewish Holidays? What a refreshing experience for those willing to take it. You get a chance to cleanup nice, throw the dungarees into the closet, and look like a mench for a while. For people willing to embrace it, there’s no better time to get off the merry go round for a while and catch your breath. During services the past two weeks, it felt good looking around the congregation and sensing the love and warmth of people all seeking the same thing; forgiveness for past misdeeds, a hope for a better life ahead, and thankfulness for all that God has bestowed upon us. Drifting off in Shule as I’m oft to do, I dreamt about how lucky we are to be born and living in this wonderful country of ours, the United States. Not exactly an original thought since my Rabbi, a Canadian soon to become an American citizen utters this sentiment at least once each Saturday.
What’s so exceptional about this place? It’s the first country where from the outset of its creation a Jew has had freedom of expression without fear of political reprisal. And express we do. In my synagogue it’s kind of an inside joke. The Rabbi refers to me as being to the right of Attila the Hun and another man to the left of Bill Ayers. Needless to say, the two of us hook up once in a while and have debates, some of which get quite contentious, but that’s ok. It’s the essence of the Jewish people; freedom of thought, freedom of expression. Unlike some other places in the world, we have our political differences but still manage to kibitz around the kiddish table on Saturdays. Very rarely do either of us pull a knifes on each other, and guns aren’t allowed in this Shule on Shabbas.
In America, quite different from what our ancestors experienced in Europe or in the lands of Islam, we’ve been allowed to prosper or fail based upon our own talents. Few can doubt, as a result of this freedom and despite our small numbers, Jewish contributions have been many in every aspect throughout American society. Although tending to the left on most social issues and favoring the Democratic Party, overwhelmingly Jews are free thinkers and on most matters are not politically homogeneous. Individualists by nature, some are on the left, some are on the right, others are somewhere in between. However, on one central issue, regardless of political affiliation, a majority of Jews do close ranks when it comes to the security of the State of Israel.
Fortunately, as is with every other group, we are part of the political process, and like any other body politic, we have the right to support elected representatives that favor our causes, such as Israel, and campaign against those which do not.
I’ve assembled the following list of incumbent candidates up for re-election in November, 2010 that have voted against Israel numerous times during this past 111th Congress. For those interested in the effort, I urge you to email this information to all the people on your email lists, and inspire them to do the same. A viral circulation of this list may indeed garner enough votes to elect a friend and kick out a foe.
The information herein is not subjective, a two minute search on Google will verify the veracity of its content. Unlike the political debates you may have been having with your best friend for the past 40 years; how a politician votes on a particular set of issues is not open to conjecture. It’s a matter of record.
In the case of Israel, most of us are unlikely to pull up roots and join the IDF but that doesn’t mean we can’t fight for her righteous cause another way; at the ballot box. Having contacted the opponents of Israel’s major congressional detractors; I questioned their position on Israel. So far the following replies have come in from Jerry Hashimoto: opposing Barbara Lee in California’s 9th District. Lee has voted against Israel on 4 out of 5 occasions...And
Tom Watson: opposing another virulent enemy of the Jewish State, Lois Capps in California’s 23rd. Congressional district. She also voted negatively on 4 out of 5 votes concerning Israel.
(See Attachments)
Tom Watson on Israel-http://www.watson4congress.com/sites/watson4congress.netboots.net/files/Watson_Position_Paper_on_Israel.pdf
On January 6, 2009 newly elected members of the House and Senate were sworn in, thus beginning the 111th Congress. Between that date and August 2010 there have been 5 major votes in the House of Representatives pertaining to Israel:
Of the 138 Congressmen which voted against Israel at-least once, the following 60 have voted against the Jewish State the most; between 2 and 5 times on the above mentioned issues. Take note of their opponents which they will be facing this November. Once again, get the word out.
District
Politician
Party
State
# of times voted against Israel
2010 Opponent
15
D
michigan
5
Robert Steele
9
D
california
4
Jerry Hashimoto
23
D
california
4
Tom Watson
7
D
california
4
Rick Tubbs
7
D
indiana
4
Marvin Scott
4
D
maryland
4
Robert Broadus
14
D
michigan
4
Don Ukrainec
4
D
oregon
4
Art Robinson
3
D
west virginia
4
Elliot Maynard
7
D
arizona
3
Ruth McClung
13
D
california
3
forest baker
17
D
california
3
Jeff Taylor
6
D
california
3
Jim Judd
51
D
california
3
Nick Popaditch
1
D
mass
3
Bill Gunn
8
D
mass
3
George Burton
10
D
mass
3
Jeff Perry
5
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