2006-08-31-Democrats

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Not surprisingly, Democrats were less than thrilled by a recent column on this website and in the San Diego Jewish Times in which I explained why my wife Nancy and I had decided to quit the Democratic party and become unaffiliated or independent voters. Voters on the other side of the aisle, obviously, were more favorable to the idea.

There were so many letters on this column that Mike Sirota, editor, at the San Diego Jewish Times said that newspaper couldn't print them all. So we decided that I would run on the website all of the letters, including those that did not make it into the upcoming issue of the San Diego Jewish Times as well as those that will.

It's always tempting to want to have the last word, but I will forego that—at least for now. After all the letters have run, perhaps I will write another column. But in the meantime, here are the letters from members of the Jewish community on some stimulating topics.

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Joe Lieberman turned into Bush look-alike

Don:

1. The special calling of Judaism is ethics, the way we behave to each other and God. We have too many times substituted a super-patriotism and loyalty for Israel as our criterion. Your column in the Jewish Times told your readers that you and your spouse are quitting the Democratic Party because of how the Democrats of his state treated Joe Lieberman. I remember when the Democrats nominated Joe to be Vice-president of the United States and how well he debated our current Vice-president, in fact how much better those two were in their debates than the two presidential candidates. Joe’s wife was exceptional, honest, forthright, nervy and human.

But Joe changed into a Bush-look alike. His take on the war was to defend it as right, rather than take a stand that there were no ethics in the administration, that the war was a disaster in which the same wonderful soldiers were being recycled over and over again, rather than making certain that we had enough armed forces on the ground to win the fight though unwinnable as a civil war.

What you wrote, I believe, is that because of two Jewish Senators voting for the cross, and Lieberman’s defeat, you would ignore the greater harm of having this president flood the Supreme Court with ultra conservatives who would do so much damage to our precious Constitution. You would ignore that this President, who late in life, believes in the second coming of Jesus Christ, which would destroy Israel and all Jews who don’t convert, who keeps the worse Defense Secretary in our history whose arrogant stubbornness has earned no credibility or competence, whose vice-president has repeated the same discredited lies about the war and terrorism, whose total control of the Congress and the coming Court has resulted in what will be the worse economic downturn in many years, and whose mentor, Karl Rove hasn’t an ethical breath in him. I have many Republican friends who are excellent examples of good humans, but this administration betrays us all.

You should know better than to use your pulpit to tell your readers that they should leave the one imperfect party that has always given America hope. We can be independent as long as we express ourselves to the Democratic Party so that it knows how we feel and does it well and effectively.

—Sandy Goodkin

American Left new home of anti-Semitism

Don:

2. This is meant as a personal letter, although I would have no objection to its publication. My purpose, having read your letter about Jews leaving the Democratic Party, is to congratulate you on your early venture into political reality.

I am old enough to remember the vitriolic anti-Semitism of the 30s and 40s — Hitler in Europe, the degrading restrictions on public reservations here in America. Father Charles Coughlin’s hate-filled radio broadcasts, the refusal of Ralph’s Market to hire my Jewish friend as a box boy, Ralph’s then being owned by the founding German family, etc, etc. Jews looked upon Roosevelt and the Democrats as their friend. Roosevelt had Jews in his cabinet and had Jewish advisors. (Only decades later did we learn the fact of his State Department’s success in keeping Jewish refugees out of the country.) The WASP Republicans were the haters, the ones who wouldn’t employ us and kept us out of their country clubs. Ninety percent of Jews supported the Democratic Party. Since my father resented Roosevelt’s intrusion into private economic life, this was a virus with which I was never infected. As a lifelong Republican most of whose friends were liberal Jewish academics, I have had many lively debates over the dinner table.

But times have changed. The hatred of Jews is now largely the province of the left. Europe is infected to an extent I have not seen since WWII. Only America is relatively free of it. But what is here is from the left. Academic groups in America (and elsewhere) now attack Israel, which is the politically acceptable target for their hate. The loonie Religious Right is the best friend we have. In a world which more and more hates us, we must take our friends where we find them. Say what you like about Tom DeLay, he was Israel’s best friend in Congress. With Israel under attack, there is no President in my memory more supportive of Israel than Bush. I am fully aware of his lunacy in his vetoing the Stem Cell Bill. But in the very dangerous world of 2006 there are more important issues. Stem cell research will be carried out in spite of Bush. Continued Jewish support for the left leaves me wondering how we have survived as a people over the millennia.

Your leaving the Democratic Party is the beginning of the recognition of reality. That it should be prompted by the defeat of Joe Lieberman is surprising, because his being Jewish was, if anything, a negligible factor in his defeat. But you have made a wise decision, one that I am sure was difficult for you. Again, congratulations.

—Joseph R. Abrahamson, M.D.

Iraq war backed by Lieberman hurts Israel

Editor, Jewish Times:

3. Re "As Jews, We're Quitting the Democratic Party..." (Jewish Citizen, Aug. 25-Sept. 7, p.11): While the article makes interesting points, we think that it misses a very important aspect of concern for Jews.

The article expresses dismay with the Democrats for repudiating Joe Lieberman. But the repudiation was for no small cause. Lieberman upset many Democrats with his uncritical support of an ill-conceived and poorly executed war that has resulted in so much killing and maiming. Let us mention here why Jews (and non-Jews) of any party should be concerned with uncritical support of this war.

The war has potentially dire consequences for Israel:

1. Iran is a critical problem for Israel with its continual support of the enemies of Israel, and the potential threat of nuclear weapons.

2. Iran has seen that the US is willing to invade mideast countries. Iran recognizes that possession of nuclear weapons can forestall invasion. This gives added impetus to its nuclear ambitions.

3. With the US tied up in Iraq, its options are limited in dealing with the problems of Iran, or anywhere else.

4. The Iraq war has further empowered Israel's dangerous enemy by giving it a Shiite ally next door.

The effect on Israel is only one of the many damaging consequences of this war. In contrast with Lieberman, the author has thoughtfully been willing to reassess and change his opinion of the war. Democrats generally agree with the author that we can't withdraw suddenly. To get out of this quagmire as soon as possible without causing further damage will require good judgment and careful planning (the lack of which got us into the quagmire).

The Democrats should be praised, not disparaged, for holding Lieberman accountable for his uncritical, active support of a major blunder, one that hurts both the U.S. and Israel.

Accountability is sorely needed elsewhere in the government.

—Jack and Natalie Holtzman

Independent candidates help Republicans

Editor, Jewish Times

4. I was sorely disappointed in the Jewish Times (8/25 thru 9/7/06) for giving Don Harrison a full half page ad to proclaim his defection from the Democratic Party. Accordingly, he now joins other celebrated dissenters, Ralph Nader, Ross Perot and the Green Followers. So did Nader idealism work out well for him?

Not exactly. Cars are effectively no more safer than in the past. Cars still kill better than 50,000 Americans every year. Did Perot’s fiscal goals improve conditions? Not exactly. Under the Bush Administration, the National Debt has reached multi trillions of dollars. The dollar has gone from parity with the British Pound and the Euro, to today, the dollar can only buy one half British Pound and only three quarters of a Euro. Did the Green’s stance improve the environment? Not exactly. Under Bush, Coal burning power plants and industries had their emission control requirements pushed back to later years. The above is only a small part of how little was accomplished by the Independents.

Past elections have shown the independent vote helped swing the vote to the Republican Party. A vote for the Independent or other, only improves the majority held by the Rubber Stamp Republicans. Our balance of power system and constitution was designed to save our nation from being subjugated by any one of the three branches of government, but today, in true Machiavellian politics, all three branches are under Republican rule. A partisan Supreme Court was able to appoint a non elected president over the will of the American People. I for one, will continue to vote Democratic and hope the country will come to its senses and rid us of the "momzerim" we put into the White House.

—Ralph Kress

Worried about Jewish issues? What
kind of citizens are the Harrisons?

Editor, San Diego Jewish Times

5. The lengthy article by Donald Harrison shocked and appalled me. Apparently he and his wife would prefer a right-wing evangelical and secretive theocracy, in a federal government without the constitutionally structured balance of powers, with an incomprehensibly enormous and growing national debt – prefer all that over the chance to reclaim control of Congress by a respectful opposition. In the 50’s we heard “If Israel and the US were at war, which side would you take?” At the time I thought it a silly question. The Harrison article clarified for me why anyone asked it.

The Harrisons reject the Democratic Party because a majority of Connecticut Democrats (not the party) chose a candidate who shared their protest against the war in Iraq , and because California ’s senators participated in the nationalization of the land around the Mount Soledad cross. While I certainly disagree with the latter action, for any Jew to determine party affiliation according to supposedly Jewish isolated issues distorts that title, “Jewish Citizen” – citizen of what?

Additionally I would question the Harrisons' position even within its parameters: if the present administration in D.C. actually (not as rhetoric) sought to “win the war on terror,” it would have acted to disarm Hezbollah. Instead Bush and Company persist in an increasingly unstable Iraq whose very instability our presence there incited. This policy flies in the face of anyone who would defend Israel .

Shame on you, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. I sincerely hope you rethink your party affiliation.
—Marlene Suliteanu
Oceanside

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Right on the Cross, wrong on Lieberman

Don
6. I agree with you 100% on the Feinstein/Boxer/1^st Amendment cross issue but I disagree with your take on Joe Lieberman. I proudly and enthusiastically voted the Lieberman/Gore ticket in 2000 (Joe L picked, in part, because of his strong conscience, something sadly lacking on both sides of the aisle), but I truly feel some things should transcend religion and I am tired of him consistently voting with the conservatives — and note that I did not say republicans. I believe his "conscience" got him in too deep and he couldn't backtrack to do the right thing. However, I guess reasonable minds will always differ.

What you might find interesting in the cross action is that the atheist plaintiff (Philip Paulson) and conservative congressman Duncan Hunter, who took the San Diego legislation to Bush-lite, are both friends of mine, as we were all paratroopers in the same unit (173^rd Airborne Brigade) in Vietnam. That makes you mishugana just thinking about it! Think I'll stay a Dem.
—Larry Gorfine

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You should have spoken up earlier
7. In reference to Donald Harrison’s article, I share his pain and understand his disappointments. In the case of Joe Lieberman, he was simply a victim of the democratic process. The party supported him until it was clear that his constituents did not. This is the democratic process operating as it should. Joe leaned so far to the right that he got covered in red paint and was no longer recognizable to the Democratic voters of Connecticut.

In the case of our senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, I agree strongly that their action regarding the Mt. Soledad cross was terribly wrong... inexcusably wrong. But, Don, did you let them know your position before their decisions were made? Did you encourage your readers to do the same? In fact, where was the voice of the Jewish community on this issue? And, where has it been for the past 17 years? Having heard little if anything from us, it’s easy for a politician to conclude that it probably doesn’t matter very much.

To react to disillusionment by taking your ball and going home accomplishes nothing; whereas staying and trying to work things out makes a better game for all. As a “decline to state,” you weaken your own voice. What winning candidates do you intend to support under the Independent banner? Few, if any. As a retired politician*; my advice is to get back into the game/party, become more active and make sure your voice is heard.

—Beverly Miller

*Beverly Miller is a former executive director, San Diego County Democratic Central Committee (1986-89), Trustee of the Governing Board, Cajon Valley Union School District (1981-88) and Councilmember, City of El Cajon (1988-92).

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Democrats left Jews long ago

Editor: Jewish Times

8. The Harrisons have reached the point now that many of us life-long Democrats reached a long time ago. A political party that twists itself in knots to explain and excuse the vicious anti-Semitism of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and others like them, while throwing the decent, honorable Joseph Lieberman overboard, is no place for a traditional liberal Jew.

Sadly, we have not left the party, it has left us.

—Henry Schulman

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Cutting off nose to spite his face

9. Donald Harrison is quitting the Democratic Party because of dissatisfaction over Joe Lieberman’s having been “thrown out” and because our two Senators, Boxer and Feinstein, have backed the Mt. Soledad Cross. He recognizes that the Bush administration has “misled the American people” and is obviously not enamored with the Republicans either. The San Diego Jewish Times sees fit to disseminate his anti-Democratic Party tirade in a spread covering much of page 11.

Joe Lieberman was not ejected from the Democratic Party. He lost the primary election and, as happens in our democracy, is no longer the official party nominee. He is running as an independent and most Democrats have endorsed Ned Lamont, who is the official party nominee. It was the majority of Democratic voters in a fair primary election that did not give him a pass for his “tactical” friendliness with the Bush administration, not the Democratic Party.

Mr. Harrison, in turn, is not willing to give Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein a pass for their misguided support of the Mt. Soledad cross even though he recognizes that they are, in part, doing this for political reasons. He seems willing to dispose of two progressive Senators because of this one issue.

Jewish voters have historically gravitated to the Democratic Party because of shared values such as Tikkun Olam, concern for the needy and the worker, a commitment to education, science, medicine, and ecology. Our country is presently run by a regime that seems more committed to the principles of greed, revenge, and blind fundamentalism than Jewish values.

To denounce and quit the Democratic Party over the issues of “Lieberman and the Mt. Soledad cross” is to invite many more years of the type of government that now runs our polarized country. A more rational approach would be to try and work out differences within the Democratic Party. The old adage applies, Mr. Harrison: “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”

—Elaine Maltz
—Howard E. Maltz, M.D.

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Electorate not party defeated Lieberman

Editor, Jewish Times

10. After reading Donald Harrison's article I feel obligated to respond. As a proud Jewish American and politically, a lifelong moderate progressive, I share Mr. Harrison's frustration with the Democratic Party and agree with much of what he says. I must, however, question his logic and reasoning. The Democratic Party is certainly far from perfect but at this point in time, our only realistic option to advance any kind of a progressive ideology. Leaving the Democratic Party now will only strengthen the far right domination we now have in all branches of government.

To blame the Democratic Party for Lieberman's defeat makes no sense. His Democratic Senate colleagues, including Barbara Boxer, came together and supported him when he needed them, as they should have. After his defeat, they now support the nominee for their party, as they should. Ultimately, the voters in the Connecticut Democratic Primary Election made the decision to deny Mr. Lieberman a third term, which was their right. Mr. Lieberman himself is the one who must accept responsibility for his defeat. He has made the choice to staunchly support both the war and the initial invasion, in spite of everything we have since learned.

—Peter G. Potter
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Democratic party dropouts may help
fringe to control party decision-making

Editor, Jewish Times:

11. Regarding Don Harrison’s “Jewish Citizen” article of last week, I would like to comment that I felt it was very well written, the facts well stated, but the conclusion, in my opinion, is faulty.

I too have been a Democrat all of my life. I too am disappointed with Joe Lieberman’s primary loss in Connecticut and I too wish our senators had fought the bill to have the Federal Government take over the “war memorial” atop Mt. Soledad although it would have been a losing battle, but I will remain a registered Democrat in that the Republican Party is not an acceptable alternative. By registering as a “decline to state”, Don and Nancy will help the fringe of the Democratic party control the primaries.

Don indicates the “Democratic Party there [Connecticut] told U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman … he was not wanted … .” Actually the party did not make that finding but the voters did. In fact former President Clinton, Senator Boxer and many other elected Democrats campaigned for Senator Lieberman and worked hard to get him nominated. He lost the Democratic primary because the majority of the Democrats registered voters in his state, who voted, did not support him. So I do not believe that the “Democratic Party has thrown [Joe Lieberman] out”.

My guess and my hope is that Joe Lieberman will in fact be reelected in the November general election. Even though I too disagree with his position on Iraq, I have sent him a contribution and will do what I can to help his reelection. I will do that for the same reasons Don explained in his commentary.

So I have chosen to remain a Democrat. That does not mean that I will blindly vote for or support every Democrat running for public office. But I cannot support the Republic party where they put forward as their candidates people who are against choice, support gun control and voted in both houses of congress unanimously to have the Mt. Soledad cross become a federal “war memorial.”

By remaining a registered Democrat, I can vote in the primaries for the candidates who I believe best represent my views. If my candidate does not win the primary election, I can then decide whether to support the primary winner, the Republican primary victor or whomever else is running in the general election.

Nancy and Don come on back. Don’t send that letter to the Registrar pf Voters. You can do more to change the Democratic Party by being a registered member that an outsider.

—Murray L. Galinson
A proud Democrat
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Mr. Harrison:
12. Thank you for your article in the San Diego in The San Diego Jewish Times of Aug. 25, 2006. Your analysis of the Democratic party and its relationship to the Jewish community is pointedly clear. I have been following the decades-long discussion of the "Soledad Mountain Cross" and was embarrassed by the contemptible action of our "Jewish" women senators. My college roommate's brother was killed serving as a bombardier in the 8th Air Force His father was a rabbi. One of my cousins serving on a destroyer was wounded during the invasion of Okinawa, another landed at Normandy at D+13 and served in Europe until war's end. There is no way they, or any other Jewish veteran, would consent to be memorialized under a giant cross. It appears that Boxer and Feinstein have no idea what being Jewish means or do they feel that relegating Jews to second class status outside of public honors is a price that must be paid for their personal political security? I also want to thank you for your book Louis Rose which shows the duration and depty of Jewish contributions to San Diego.

—Dr. Lamar A. Bell
La Jolla