FEATURED JOBS
At long last, the final days of the forever presidential season are here. This two-year national journey has been akin to Disney World’s latest thrill ride. We have had unexpected twists and turns, dark tunnels and frightening apparitions, even long lines and crying babies.
A brief word on the campaign’s exciting historic nature. Marking the strength of our system, serious candidacies were launched by an African-American, a woman, a Mormon, a former ranking Prisoner of War and an Evangelical pastor. A former Democratic vice presidential candidate backed the GOP choice.
Now, at long last, on Tuesday, Nov. 4 we’ll pick our this nation’s 44th President. We do so deeply nervous: U.S. troops are at war in two countries; the economy is in free fall; pitched cultural battles rage; public education is in crisis; the healthcare framework is broken.
In reality, neither Sens. John McCain nor Barrack Obama will be our political savior.
Mr. McCain surely has skeletons in his closet, starting with the Keating Five Savings and Loan crisis scandal of the late 1980s and ties to numerous lobbyists. Then there is his legendary temper.
Mr. Obama, with but four years in the national spotlight, responded too slowly this past spring to the appalling tirade of his long-term pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He continually ties Mr. McCain to Bush administration policies – many of which are disastrous in historic proportions. But Mr. McCain should be applauded for differing in key areas with “Bush 43,” particularly on how to wage the Iraq War and policies on torture.
Both have run advertisements about their opponents that are – at a minimum – gross, manipulation.
Yes, I am ignoring whether Mr. Obama “pals around with terrorists,” as Mr. McCain’s less-than-enlightened running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, declares. She refers to the Illinois Senator’s serving on a board with former domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (along with leading Republicans).
Consider this: Were one to take such claims to their logical conclusion, Mr. McCain would be a communist and torturer. Tran Trong Duyet, former head of the “Hanoi Hilton” and Mr. McCain’s jailer, has said he would vote for Mr. McCain if he could because the American is now his “friend.”
Enough with such garbage. On to the issues – or at least the one that matters to me.
Mr. Obama’s policies are simply more comprehensive and sounder in the long-term. Take, for example, healthcare. Mr. McCain’s idea of $5,000 credit per family could drive up policies by at least that amount and persuade pinched employers to drop coverage. His heavy reliance on the unregulated free market – here as elsewhere – is unrealistic. Need proof? Look no farther than our battered banking system.
Mr. Obama’s plan would mandate employers offering health insurance or to contribute to the cost. A new National Health Insurance Exchange is likely to bring reasonable and stable premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Also, child health insurance would be mandatory. To pay for this, some programs must be slashed; the alternative is worse. And this plan has a better chance of structurally changing our system.
On to vice presidential choices. Many Jews – whom polls show are largely centrists – have been attracted to Mr. McCain’s past bi-partisan policies. Yet he insulted many in this camp by choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Her inexperience makes Mr. Obama look like Thomas Jefferson. Her reliance on sharp quips and populist rhetoric bring media attention and the cheers of some, but offer no depth. Mr. Obama picked Sen. Joe Biden, long a favorite with a large swath of Jewish voters and one of Washington’s brighter lights.
A President Obama will turn to his number two for advice and deep knowledge of Capital Hill. Mr. McCain must rely on his own valuable experience; his number two is not remotely capable of stepping in if needed.
Obviously I have a special interest in the fate of the State of Israel. The U.S.-Israeli relationship is strong and diverse. Mr. McCain is favored by many Jews living in Israel because of his tough talk on Iran and mocking of Mr. Obama’s desire to speak with such enemies. But Mr. Obama, with the counsel of Mr. Biden and long-time Mideast peace negotiator Ambassador Dennis Ross, will not sell out Israel. There will be disagreements, but none that surpass the hopes of large numbers of American and Israeli Jews.
The latest survey indicates that 74 percent of American Jews will vote for Mr. Obama. These voters are on to something. Barack Obama should be this nation’s 44th president.
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