Open letter to Israeli politicians

Dear politicians of the major parties,

Your election campaigns will soon be in full swing. A few words of advice. Run responsibly. Attempt to unite the nation, not divide and you will have more power to do things as they should be done. Elections are no longer about giving or not giving land.

This is part of what your electorates want to see:

1. Provide insight into the economic hardship plaguing Israelis today. We’re disgusted with corruption. We know best how difficult it is to make a daily living in the State of Israel today. If you, who are running the country, feel our plight, don’t go misappropriating funds to better your life. Better the lives of all of us.
2. All sectors of society to pay their dues. We’re fed up with supporting an entire sector of society that doesn’t work. Yes, we realize that they’re in a rut as well because they can’t legally work because they don’t do army service. The entire country should not have to bear the fate of irresponsible leaders. Find a solution.
3. We want to feel safe. Stop succumbing to violence. There is the overall feeling that if you’re a violent person who only causes havoc, breaking into homes, burning garbage cans and vandalizing cars, it’s not important enough for you to deal with. You’re wrong. Our country is turning more violent as a result of the authorities turning a blind eye. You are neglecting your electorates and protecting the perpetrators. Send a message that violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
4. We want to be able to sustain ourselves. We don’t want a welfare state. We only think we want that because there are plenty of undeserving people who contribute nothing to the State, don’t believe in its existence and yet get much of its funds. What we want is to make our monthly salary, support ourselves and be able to save. The cost of living today is far too high. We work hard, we bring home good, sometimes very good salaries and yet we slip into overdraft. We want free competition in the marketplace. Socialism, in this respect, is killing us. It is unheard of that Israeli products are cheaper in North America than here in Israel. We want real competition. We want lower prices.
5. Start treating women with respect. It is not ok for ANY state-run buses to have separate seating. Let people who are interested in such a service run their own bus line. The policy should be that if men can’t be able to sit beside a woman or see a woman – he has the problem. He can stay home. Women must cease to be denigrated. Even if they refuse. Have you not noticed that the line keeps moving further? The extreme become more extreme because you are letting them. Jewish law has nothing to do with it. There will always be fundamentalists and it is your job not to let them run the country.
   

Please keep these in mind when forming your platform. Stick to them. Don’t say “yes” or “maybe” now and after elections change your mind. Be loyal to us. And we’ll be loyal to you. Above all run responsibly. We don’t like fear politics and we don’t like when you disparage your colleagues. We don’t want to know what they can’t do. We want to you what you will.

Yours Sincerely,

A caring citizen