I hope Peretz reads the hebrew version of this because it exactly and precisely sums up my feelings. I've been wanting to run around with a sign saying "I almost voted Kadima but I was stupid and voted Labour" the last few days. I am furious and beyond disappointed.

And political extortion, how did you expect Peretz to recive the fianance ministy? He got it and thats whats important, now he can do for the good of the people, you are naive if you think that he would of gotten it any other way.

that Peretz has is the advancement of Amir Peretz. Please let me explain before you jump to any conclusions, I am basically a socialist and I absolutely abhorr the splitting up of Israeli society into " sectors ". The whole concept of a sectorial society as opposed to kibutz galuiot is a core reason for many of the social illnesses we suffer. Having said all that it was entirely clear to me from the outset that this man was no different from the others, a power hungry megalomaniac who will do anything to gain power and then do anything to retain it. He has proved this when he " closed down the country " as General Secretary of the Unions, his demagogic style of speech rendering should have been an indication to those who understand these things, his recent flirtation to achieve power by using and manipulating the right wing parties was downright outrageous and treacherous and indeed an affront to all who put their faith in him and voted for him. If he accepts the Defense Portfolio it will be a further indication of his treacherous nature, he will be abandoning the social agenda in favour of establishing a power base to further his on aspirations. It should be clear by now that this man has but one ideaology and I have no doubt that in order to achieve his aims he will sell his " proverbial " grandmother. What a great shame, I genuinely feel sorry for all those who voted for him, I had the sense to understand otherwise.

naive people like you. Also you don't have a very developed E.S.P do you. It was/is so clear that Amir is at best a union leader and not a statesman. And for crying out loud wake up from childish dreams; sorry to burst your bubble but ideology is quite dead. Take a good hard look at the world and humanity in general to get a reality check, and maybe you should read "Kohelet" and George Orwell's 'Animal farm" again. The Pals. should also read the latter...

Since 2/5 of Israelis seem so smitten by total nonsense I'm wondering has no one explained that this "ideology" has collapsed in failure in every instance it has appeared? This ideology is causing economic disaster across Europe!? Eastern Europe already collapsed from this.. Now France, Germany, Italy, across europe they are practically throwing themselves in front of buses to shake off this ideology you are ranting & raving about.. Germany has record suicides from it's double digit unemployment, Italy's economy is gasping for air, 0.01 growth and the lira is so devalued it cannot go lower, France is paralyzed by strikes and a disappearing economy with massive unemployment.. No one can find a job. This unwiligness to deregulate, this love affair with the failed welfare state and fat lazy unions has destroyed half of Europe. Without economic growth & productivity the money runs out within years, the benefits simply dry up as the economy contracts and the deficits mount, pretty soon 75% of every shekel is just debt, it is a vicious spiral into oblivion, this is basic economics 101. Contrast this with the UK & USA who are exploding in wealth and growth, you should thank your lucky stars Amir spit in your face, he may have through his own already evident total incompetence, saved your country from total disaster. This is not the last 40 years where growth was a given just by developing the nation, Israel is now post industrial, you are all crazy!!

I am not an expert in Economics, but I have a degree in the subject. Israel is a problematic case when it comes down to the debate between capitalism and socialism. In the past, the state controlled a lot of the industry. This is one of the reasons why Haifa, as a labor controlled port city, never thrived like Tel Aviv, which welcomed capitalists in the early years. On the other hand, a lot of people have had it with the current version of Israeli "capitalism". Twelve families own too much here and they are essentially an oligopoly. Also, way too many are working at minimum wage. A properly functioning capitalistic society would have so much more opportunity for work and wealth creation, and NOT JUST IN HIGH TECH!!! Finally, the backbone of North American capitalism is the mom-and-pop operation. Although this exists in Israel, it is no where near as big a part of the economy as in the USA (80%!).

#6 Logic: well put, Israel has gone from a kibbutz society to an market oligopoly while remaining an essentially capitalist economy with a lot of state influence. Rolling back the state/reorienting the state will have to entail careful regulation otherwise there won't be a level playing field and the wealthy families will gain disproportionately. # 5 saus : You'd could've written about the success of the Canadian economic model which resembles Continental Europe more than the U.S./U.K. model. There's more than classical economics in the world. Since 2002 in Europe we have the Euro as common currency in all 25 member states with uniform inflation rate/exchange value. Italy like the rest of us said goodbye to the Lire & the other currencies 4 years ago.

What is the difference between Kadima taking on right wing religious parties into the coalition and Peretz doing that. Kadima is just as left as Labor as far as I can see in its policies (perhaps even more with its unilateral withdrawal policy). The only difference I can see is that Labor members are more anti-haredi. But that has nothing to do with politics that is just good old "sinat chinam" (baseless hatred). Can somebody explain what the uproar was all about?

We are moving in the right direction. With my Father the boss and the little Amir underboss, we will crash the Natanyahus of this world. Follow me! Kadima! Long live Olmert!

can survive without socialism, not ad ifinitum, because at some point a revolution will take place. Socialism can not survive without Capitalism, because at some point toatal collapse will take place. Like all things in life a balance has to be struck. Extremes always collapse or lead to dead ends, in all walks of life.

If you thought that there might be ANY honesty in the position of a politician, you fit the sucker image perfectly. They are ALL dishonest and are interested only in themselves. Principles are great talk - but in reality - forget about it! Peretz will spit in your face the same way that Sharon & company spit in the faces of the right. At least Kadima is honest in saying that it has no principles at all. On the other hand, how could anyone vote for a party that stands for nothing accept grabbing power? Don't you just love politics?

#5 I didn't know that Italy still used the lira. I was under the impression that they were using the Euro...

took the words right out of my mouth..it will be the proverbial "cold day in hell" before I vote for anything associated with Amir Peretz again

Do you study economics? Then you will be aware that Canada has a socialist system.

Hi Peter, the Canadian model really doesn't resemble europe as much as thought. It resembles the UK. We have totally deregulated and privatized the so called "commanding heights" over the last 25 years. I know most assume because we have healthcare we are like europe, but our economy if anything needs to reform even more, without the recent massive oil monies from the west of Canada we'd be struggling too. People don't realize 80% of Canada's GDP is made of sales to the US, only because the US is booming, are parts of our economy strong! cheers to my friend number 6 - I understand, mom & pop will only come from de-regulation, red tape socialism destroys incentive, and entrepreneur spirit, that's why so few risk takers are found in soialized Europe. Gd bless Israel's calcala

Canada is a fscally conservative country. It is pro business in every way and almost no industries are Govt owned, small business is the driving force of the Canadian economy, we have decent social benefits, buy you need to get a clue, compared to europe we are a capitalistic paradise.

Instead of discussing rationally, you make it seem as if I don't know about the euro, it is pitiful really.. Why don't you re read what I wrote, I used lira and shekel as sarcastic terms for dollars or money. Italy's personal purchasing power is beyond extremely low, their economy totally devalued, they fail to meet all the norms set by the EU and are about to can their Govt because it didn't fix the problems. They are exactly where you were before Netanyahu fixed your economy. Instead of discussion I am wasting my time defending myself to sarcastic one liners who can't counter the facts so they go for the balls. You must be one of the 2/5's I was talking about.

wow. what a story. poor amos is disillusioned because amir isn't the pure 'ideologue" he had hoped. most people think idelogues right and left, religious and secular, are the root of the problem because they're inflexible and incapable of compromise, but not amos. he's diappointed when a politician actually wants to work with others who have different views to get something accomplished heaven forbid.

You asked: "Did no one study economics in Israel!?" You assumed that when I wrote that I was under the impression that Italy used the Euro and not the Lira I was being sarcastic. But did you not stop to think that maybe I was actually asking a question because I haven't studied economics and was confused by what you wrote? Honestly, you don't have to be offended by my use of an ellipsis... And no, I am not one of the 2/5's you were talking about. As I am not a citizen of Israel yet I cannot vote. Although if I had it would mostly have been for the Greens because there is nothing that I can argue against them. After all, if we don't have our health, we don't have anything, and the same can be said of our planet's health. Only our planet's health effects every inhabitant regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, species, etc...