Liberal Jews

(I wrote this May 8, 1995)

“It is an extremely accurate generalization, that most American Jews, vote and support “liberal” causes and candidates. There are exceptions, but the fact that American Jews are predominately politically liberal, is beyond question. My question is WHY? The difference between “liberals,” and “Conservatives,” is that liberals think big government is a solution, and conservatives think individual responsibility is best. Liberals feel wealth redistribution is fine, and conservatives abhor it. Liberals favor socialistic schemes of big government, and conservatives want to reduce the size and power of government. There are variations of the liberal and conservative outlooks, but the above generalizations are accurate. Probably 95% of Jews always vote Democratic.
“For years, I have dealt with Jews, lived in Jewish neighborhoods, and have Jewish friends. Jews always seem to raise their kids to be achievers. Jews save, are industrious, and excel in the professions, be it medicine, law, academia, music, art of business. Jewish divorce rates are microscopic, compared to others, and it is rare to see a Jewish juvenile delinquent or problem child. Jewish parents take their jobs seriously, and achieve marvelous results.
“Since Jews are close to 100% in favor of individual responsibility, hard work, diligent study, achievement, cleanliness, and wealth acquisition, why do they vote for the party and theory that punishes achievement? One of my favorite authors, is the late Sam Levinson, who wrote many wonderful books, mostly dealing with his upbringing and feelings about life. Sam was born in abject poverty, in the lower east side of Manhattan, in a slum tenement. His parents stressed cleanliness, study, hard work, familial unity, and self-improvement. It worked for him, as it has worked for most other kids raised in the Jewish tradition. But when Jews go into the voting booth or write editorials, they always seem to lean towards taking from the haves, and giving to the have-nots. Jews teach their own kids to be self-sufficient, but write and vote for the opposite!
“Jews should be the most adamant conservatives Republicans could ever desire. Jews are in favor of every single conservative tenet in their personal lives, but vote and write directly the opposite. Can anyone tell me why? Welfare destroys both the recipients, and those from whom it was taken. The liberal-welfare state, has destroyed America. Jews are the most successful of America’s citizens, and the very idea of a Jew accepting a government handout, is anathema. They wouldn’t stoop to that, but cote to allow others to eat at the public trough. Jews should be the most conservative voters, because they live their lives that way. Why do they live one way and vote the other? Us Republicans could surely use their misplaced votes!”
So much for my opinion 29 years ago, and I haven’t changed my mind.