Opinion
Politics or ideology?
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 25.10.10, 00:41
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22 Talkbacks for this article
1. The article is so biased it
(10.25.10)
2. Save A Buck Or Two
Chris ,   USA   (10.25.10)
Hillary Clinton For Vice President in 2012. President Obama will be in his way to a 2nd term, the interest of the USA
3. OBAMA WILL PREVAIL ON NOV 2.
SINGER ,   SINGAPORE   (10.25.10)
4. Clinton way and the Carter way
Gem ,   Out There   (10.25.10)
Is the Muslim way and the Yankees are enraged at the way obbamma sees fit to destroy the US. Obamma the muslim has lost
5. so money is speaking
nehad mandoor   (10.25.10)
it is from pockets not fro mind or heart but how many have so much money .. it is not economic or politics that affected all te americans .. it is only money it is only these or thats
6. Don't write off Obama just yet
Tahl ,   Ashdod   (10.25.10)
I am the last one to support Obama and personally I think he is extremely undesireable for Israel. But in the broad perspective, unlike the writer here, I would not discount the effect Obama's policies have made on ordinary Americans. Several things do work in Obama's favor among the voters: 1. The healthcare reform - although it might take a while to see changes, it was indeed an historic landmark, and I believe the voters would still give him the credit. 2. The economy is making sounds of recovery from the deep depression. Banks are no longer shutting down and the panic seems to be abating. Perhaps this is none of Obama's work, but he happens to be in office now, and that's what people would remember. 3. He finally pulled the troops from Iraq. 4. His recent Small Business Jobs Act is a welcome change for many small business owners, which eases their tax burden. Furthermore the new tax policies favor most Americans (except the rich), and the new PERAB tax reform simplifies many aspects of the tax return process. Plus, I hadly think most Americans really care about his failed foreign policies, including Iran, North Korea or Israel for that matter. Americans mostly care about what touches their own lives.
7. #6 Pretty much everthing you say is incorrect.
michael redbourn ,   Arad - Israel   (10.25.10)
1. The healthcare reform - Dem candidatates are not even mentioning Health Care reform? Why? A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Likely Voters think their representative in Congress does not deserve reelection if he or she voted for the national health care law, the auto bailouts or the $787-billion economic stimulus plan. Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, October 17. No, the war is not over, troops are still dying and they are still engaged in combat. In the week since the much publicized withdrawal of "combat" troops from Iraq it has become more evident that the Iraq War continues under a new name: "Operation New Dawn." The first off-message comments came from the Department of Defense. Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said shortly after the "end" of the war, "I don't think anybody has declared the end of the war as far as I know. Counter-terrorism will still be part of their mission." He said the more than 50,000 remaining troops will be well armed and that among their responsibilities will be counter-terrorism which will mean taking on Islamist militants in combat situations. The former head of the Central Command who had been in charge of military operations in Iraq echoed the Pentagon sentiments when Petraeus told CBS News, "We're not leaving" Iraq and that the troops remaining behind will have "an enormous capability." His recent Small Business Jobs Act sounds good but why did it take two years to come into being and why just two weeks before elections?
8. what happens if something goes absurd?
kuhl blitz ,   Doha / Chennai   (10.25.10)
let us, Obama loses election and they elect a Muslim or "converted Muslim' guy as the president? It is America, Land of free - Land of opportunity - anything is possible. or worst - Liberal Jew or self-hating jew like Goldstone? in that case, the writer will be beating himself with his slippers for inciting people against Obama. Be happy with what you have and don't depend on BIG DADDY for everything. Being a muslim and an Indian, I would like to see Israel strong and independent. Don't wait for verdict on elections or Uncle SAM. Continue your great work in science and technology
9. Americans did not know Obama
Golan ,   Modiin   (10.25.10)
they knew more about Tina Fey's rendition of Sarah Palin and voted against Bush or for that black guy who promised them good things. That was before he took office. Then he was called a rock star and his pictures were on every magazine... and he flew Airforce one to the city 1 hour drive away. He also went on Jay Leno.... as president. people reeled. One year into his presidency he was below 50% approval. Jobs and the economy were tanking. His hostility to Israel and Britian made people uneasy. His kowtowing to Muslim nations made people upset. In his second year people were revolting. In election after election the underdog Republicans won with an Obamaesque fanfare. Americans have sobered up, but the sent their message, "we don't like where you are headed." and now is another opportunity to "vote against Obama." Just like they "votes against Bush" in the 2008 election so are they voting against Obama in the 2010. By 2012 they will get to vote against the real thing. And why? Mostly because of the economy. Some fear the Obamacare, and others because they want the American Way. Change was never defined. Everyone interpreted the word as they wanted. All his opponent has to do is run on "stability" and that would be enough. Obama made Carter look good. And the American people are hungry for a Ragen.
10. If there is a single most important reason for
Ted R. Davidson ,   Philadelphia, PA USA   (10.25.10)
me to vote non-Democratic candidates at the forthcoming elections it is Obama. Any Democrat entering either the House or the Senate will provide backing for Obama's anti-Israel policies and I have no intention of lending my vote for such policies.
11. Obama
Malone ,   Hfx   (10.25.10)
His legacy will be one of incompetence and arrogance. He has succeeded however,in making it much harder for any other African-American Presidential candidate to make it to the White House.
12. We have to deal
Yossef ,   Toronto/Rehovot   (10.25.10)
with however is at the white house, Muslim, christian or jew. Here is not the question. For that we need a real independent politic and profitable for Israel. Not to be linked like puppets to the US administration. Lieberman is doing a good job when he deepens the links with forgotten but real countries. I would love to develop more our relations with the Arab world, because we are a part of this world. It will come. There is hierarchy of interests: our first, after Middle-East one and then the rest of the world.
13. Healthcare reform?
jerri i ,   NYC   (10.25.10)
No. It is healthcare change. It is not clear yet if it is a reform or whether it will help middle class or elderly Americans. The problem was simply that Obama left it up to Congress to come up with the details, which meant that all sorts of pork was put in by Congressmen and no one really knew what they were voting for. Frankly I couldn't understand a bill of more than 40 pages. Anything meaningful could be put in a document of that length.
14. Ted # 10 Thanks. I certainly feel the say way, and
Dan ,   Philadelphia, PA   (10.25.10)
so is an increasing number of Jews, even, even Jews have have been part of the Democratic Party for several generations. Obama certainly managed to alienate me.
15. Obama is riding high in an office he's not fit to occupy.
Chaim ,   Israel   (10.25.10)
I don't understand why anyone would feel sorry for Obama. Obama is riding high in an office he's not fit to occupy. His only accomplishment, prior to becoming U.S. President, is writing two books about himself. Obama was one of the least impressive presidential nominees and he is one of the worst presidents in U.S. history. While Obama ruins the U.S. economy, drives up the national deficit, alienates America's friends and bows to America's enemies...he also finds time to spend more time on golf and vacations than just about any other U.S. President.
16. #6 your #4 point is useless.Most small business will NOT ben
Small Business owner ,   USA   (10.25.10)
efit from this. Most of the dollars are for research and development which is useless because the banks will not give out loans to purchase the new equipment to buy for R&D purposes. Most of what was in the bill has already been implemented by the Bush admin. Since when is making $250,000 a year make you rich? If I make that amount of money in my business, most of those dollars are spent on healthcare for my employees. And the small tax break I get for hiring a new employee is eaten up by local taxes. They are going to give me $1,000 for every new employee I hire, but local taxes have gone up 25%. So please, take care of what you really know about in Israel, and leave the Obama politics to us here in the States who are suffering ridiculous hardship brought on by this orator who knows not one damn thing about business.
17. #11 I agree 100%. It will be close to 50 or so years before
CJ ,   USA   (10.25.10)
another black man is elected into the White House again. He and eric holder, van jones, and others have proven that they fully intend to take it out on white folk because they think we have lorded over them for years. For sure I will be one who NEVER votes for another black person. I never voted for this one, but there sure are lessons to be learned just watching this bumbling bafoon.
18. #13 Are you aware that muslims and Amish people are exempt
(10.25.10)
from the health care reform bill??? Just google "muslims exempt from healthcare", and it will refer you to the page numbers in the bill and why they are exempt.
19. obumma's dementia, not dilemma is better headline.
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (10.25.10)
20. The next Black U.S. President will likely be a Republican.
Chaim ,   Israel   (10.25.10)
I don't share the pessimism of several posters that Obama has ruined the chances of Blacks to become U.S. President. After all, the incompetent Presidents Obama is often compared to (such as Jimmy Carter, Warren Harding and James Buchanan) were all White. However, the disastrous Obama presidency is doing much to slaughter the loathesome liberal agenda. Which is all good. The next Black U.S. President will likely be a conservative Republican.
21. his presidency has been based on socialist ideology
zionist forever   (10.25.10)
Obamas entire presidency has been ideology based not reality. Healthcare was an uphill struggle he wouldn't have pulled off unless the Democrats had control of both houses of Congress and to begin with he was still very high in the popularity ratings which made it easier for him. With healthcare Obama likes the European socialist ideas like universal service for healthcare. Healthcare was his baby based on ideology and money was treated as a minor issue. His stimulus package true there was a need for government to step in to some degree to stabilize things but he has had the state buying up banks & auto companies and just about everything else. He wanted to make the environment a big part of his stimulus package by investing in green technology but the reality is there is not enough money in green technology to help kickstart the economy or create substantial numbers of jobs. Again thats another ideology, cost the country a fortune but sees very little in terms of results. He is obsessed with solving all the worlds problems through diplomacy and America should not flex its muscles. Ideology and Americas enemies laugh at it and take advantage. If Obama was willing to make serious threats of military actions with Iran even if he didn't carry it out it would at least make Ahmadinejad take him a little more seriously and not so defiant. All this nonsense about his goal to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Please if thats not the ideologist talking I don't know what is. He put Americas security bellow his wishes not to upset Russias feelings because they were against Poland having Patriot missiles based in it's territory as part of the US defense shield. He turned on US allies like Israel, Poland and before he lost the election Gordon Brown former British PM. His attempts to reach out to the islamic world by being so apologetic. Thats not how you get taken advantage of. He even puts the feelings of muslims above the feelings of the American people when he made a big speech and officially gave his support to the Ground Zero mosque which is upsetting alot of non muslim Americans. In socialist Europe people like leaders with an ideology. In America the system is not designed for commrade Obama's style socialist ideology. Please please let the Republicans take Congress and to control the man stop his printing money and other failings that the Democrats are letting him get away with and then in 2012 let this man end up just like his protoge Jimmy the penut Carter ( out of office and only listened to by a small minority of idealists )
22. To: Chaim at No. 20
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (10.26.10)
The fastest growing segment of the American political demographic is Black Republicans. Michael steele, Colin Powell, Ward Connerly, Alan Keyes and Richard Parsons, to name but a few.
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