Redeeming the Nation and Saving Democracy
Election 2024
The Election
There are only a few months to go before the voters determine the future of this nation, and in many ways the waters are still very muddy. It is hard for voters to decide what their vote might mean for our future. It should not be that way; it should be about a simple vote between democracy or dictatorship.
The Spell
This electoral choice wouldn’t have become so muddy if the Biden Administration had not fallen under some spell, apparently induced by the magical powers of Benjamin Netanyahu and the political clout and persuasive powers of the lobbying of AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and the ADL (Anti-Defamation League). Under that spell the Biden Administration seems to have forgotten this nation’s role in the world representing the basics of democracy, fairness, justice and human rights. It seems to have forgotten our long-standing opposition to foreign influences in US elections. It seems to have forgotten our legacy of free speech and open, democratic debate on issues important to the citizens of the nation and especially issues entailing the use of billions in tax dollars.
Friendship
It should be clear that no matter how much a nation is considered a friend and ally, when they begin to support policies of mass murder, it is time to walk away from that friendship. It is simply too much to ask of any friend. It is like the beer ad of some years ago, about spoiled and toxic beer, “Put it down and step away”. To be stained by that toxicity is not worth continuing that friendship.
National Interest
It is hard to see how it benefits our national interest to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world in order to show our allegiance to Benjamin Netanyahu and to buckle under the influence of the powerful Jewish lobby of AIPAC and the Anti-defamation League to demonize all Gazans. Not only are we supplying the weaponry and intelligence to carry out a seemingly genocidal action, but we are also actively working to prevent any UN action and are even going so far as to defund the UN humanitarian efforts, (UNRWA, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), all at Netanyahu’s behest. This is too much like the tail (Israel), wagging the dog (the Biden Administration).
Religion
At best, Netanyahu represents an extreme Zionism, a radical version of Judaism. Even in Israel, there is incredible opposition to the extremism of Netanyahu and his actions in Gaza. Meanwhile a huge contingent of the Jewish population in the US supports a cease fire. Many have argued that this is not an accurate interpretation of basic Judaism which, at heart, is a very peaceful and humanitarian religion.
The Pivot?
The decision to drop some food in Gaza, as a small humanitarian gesture, is, hopefully, the beginning of the end of that short-term insanity, of breaking the spell of giving support and cover to Netanyahu and his destruction of Gaza. We cannot stand by while Gaza burns while also working against even allowing humanitarian aid to those traumatized people.
It is time to continue to pivot back to our ideals as an international leader who believes in human rights, the rule of international law and the true expression of democracy. It is time to show that we are courageous enough to stand up, even to our friends, when they have gone too far. We must go back to a courageous stand for fairness and decency. We need to reestablish our international leadership and our consistency in judging rogue nations.
Context, Perspective and Flawed Logic
We are seeing a dictator-like leader, Netanyahu, thinking he is immune to international pressure and willing to continue to carry out a genocide in full view of the world. Even Putin would not be so blatant.
We cannot allow the flawed logic of guilt by association to rule the day. Whatever Hamas, after years of occupation, may or may not have done, the civilian population of Gaza and the West Bank cannot be treated as combatants. That is the logic of occupation. That is the kind of logic that led to the phrase from our past, “the only good Indian is a dead Indian”. That logic would have allowed us to wipe out the citizens of Chicago in our attempt to control Al Capone and his crew, or to wipe out all black ghettos because of black crime. Even the Nazis did not consider wiping out all French citizens to stop the Resistance. Only an inhuman leader can use such logic to wipe out any population.
Course Correction to Save Democracy
For the Democratic Party and the Biden Administration to believe that no matter what they do with Israel and Gaza, the American voters will choose democracy over dictatorship, in spite of what the Biden Administration now seems to be presenting to the world as who we are and what we stand for as US citizens. There will be those who will question casting their votes for an administration that is complicit in the genocidal actions in Gaza.
At a time when the fate of democracy in this nation is at stake, we need leadership that puts our national ideals and values before the requests of any friendly nation, especially one who is so out of step with international law.
If that pivot is not made, Biden risks putting our democracy at risk, since some will see a vote for him as a vote not just for Israel, but for the total destruction of Gaza (deaths over 30,000, mostly women, children and the elderly and enforced famine stalking the land), the spending of our tax money for that venture, our lack of support for the UN and humanitarian aid, a loss of any credible international leadership and a turn away from our heritage of basic democratic ideals. This looks like putting all our democracy eggs in one basket and letting Benjamin Netanyahu carry that basket.
Please, President Biden, continue the pivot away from support of Netanyahu and back toward the redemption of our international leadership, human rights and the foundations of our democratic ideals. Help us save democracy in this nation.
PLEASE HURRY, THE TIME IS SHORT!
