How Israel Sees Us

Best Buddies: During the U.S. presidential campaign, both Barack Obama and John McCain play the oneupsmanship game on how much they love Israel. Both vow continued military, economic and diplomatic support in efforts to win the Jewish vote stateside. But, is that mutual admiration actually shared by Israelis? Yes and no. They cherish the American people because of family ties and tourist revenue. They disdain our government, considering it leaderless. They view the presidential race as the angry old guy (McCain), the nitwit (Gov. Sarah Palin), versus the untried new guy (Obama) and the windbag (Sen. Joe Biden). Many Israelis question our system if this is the best we can muster. They are not impressed. In the narrow focus of Israelis, there major concerns are: Will Iran develop nuclear warheads; Should Israel attack those arsenals; Will Hamas take over the rest of the Palestinian territory; Will Hezbollah and Israel go back to war; Will Syria make peace with Israel, and will Israel and Fatah continue the Palestinian peace process? Martin Fletcher, NBC correspondent based in Tel Aviv, reports Israeli government leaders understand U.S. support is a given. But a loud minority believe unflinching American support is harmful to their country's future. Without such support, this minority opinion believes its leaders would be more inclined to compromise and reach accords with Palestinian leaders and Syria. Israel and its neighbors, Fletcher says from his Middle East sources, there is a need for strong, stable, smart American leadership. What it sees in the presidential campaigns and debates is mind-dulling talking points. "It appears to be a weak, dumb, uninvolved stumbling giant," he wrote, citing government officials and editorials and letters among the raucous newspaper accounts. Apparently, George Bush is as unpopular in Israel as he is at home. And the prospects of an Obama or McCain presidency is also unflattering in the land of shalom.
My Senior Moment: One of the most substantive issues in Tuesday's presidential debate fell below the radar in print and broadcast coverage. That was the question whether health insurance coverage was a right or a privilege. Obama said it was a right. McCain said it was a responsibility of the individual and family. Their answers reflect a fundamental gap between the two. Obama is correct on this one. In our society, we think nothing of paying taxes to our cities and counties for police and fire protection and other public services for the common good. Cops and firemen don't discriminate and drive away if you can't afford their assistance. They are guardians of our public welfare. Our welfare also includes our health. What is the difference between the cops chasing down a robber and a physician diagnosing and treating a disease? They're both the same in my book. The only difference is the former is accepted societal behavior and the latter not. Police and fire protection is constrained by budgets. Why not universal health care based on an individual's affordability to pay the premiums? It's the right thing to do.