Developments today in Israeli and U.S. elections combined to make me absolutely miserable. On top of that Seattle, where I live, is one of America’s premier Coronavirus hot spots. It is spreading like wildfire, but there is a preternatural calm in the city: road traffic is down, restaurants and stores are half-full. It’s as if the town was waiting for the other shoe (or an anvil) to drop. Like I said: depressing.
I know that’s not an auspicious way to begin a blog post. So I hope you haven’t fled yet and will persevere. Perhaps we can somehow comfort each other in the midst of our misery.
In another round of Democratic primaries, Bernie Sanders was soundly trounced virtually everywhere. A Big Blue Wall has descended, like Churchill’s Iron Curtain, on Democratic America. The voters have spoken. They have turned their back on progressive politics and thrown in their lot with an addle-brained middle-of-the-road, uninspiring, corporate shill. Personally, I don’t think Biden can beat Trump (barring any unforeseen disasters that rise to the level of national catastrophe). He isn’t even as strong a candidate as Hillary was in 2016.
I have decided that I cannot vote for Biden in the general election. It might matter if there was any chance of Trump carrying Washington State. But there isn’t. And given our Electoral College system, the popular vote counts for little in these elections.
As I’ve written before, I have been voting in elections since 1970. In that span, I’ve felt forced to vote for the least-worst candidate many times. I’m not going to do that this time. This country had a chance to vote for someone who rose far above the usual level of mediocrity and compromise among candidates, and they shunned him. I cannot cover my eyes and cast such a vote again.
The best that can be said for Biden is that he won’t f*k things up as badly as Trump. He will presumably appoint cabinet secretaries and intelligence officials who are competent and actually want to pursue the nation’s interests as broadly defined, rather than his own personal ones. But the really intractable problems, the very ones Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were tackling, will remain to be dealt with another day. We may not go to war against Iran under Biden, but we surely won’t make any progress on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Biden is impoverished both in terms of ideas and platform.
Regarding Bernie’s second failed candidacy, clearly this was his Last Hurrah. But as I said about Elizabeth Warren after she left the race, her supporters should not be embittered. Warren herself can run again. And she has inspired millions of women and girls to do what she has done. Surely, at least one of them, if not more, will become president and do so in order to implement her political platform. The same can be said of Bernie. My generation rejected Bernie. But the younger generation embraced him, while resoundingly rejecting Biden.. In another term or two, one of them will run for president and win. That person will have the chance to implement some of Bernie’s Big Ideas. My hope is that there is a Lincoln or a Roosevelt out there nurturing such dreams and a call to service.
Israel is its own special political s*tshow. Whereas yesterday, Benny Gantz was confidently preparing his new minority government which would survive with the tacit support of the Palestinian Joint List, today brings disaster anew. Progressive Israelis were encouraged both by the massive turnout for the Joint List and the powerful role it might play in shaping the next government, even if it wasn’t directly in it. This appeared to be a watershed moment when Israel might begin to breakdown the fractured tribalism of its political system and embrace a national identity. Alas, it was not to be.
Gantz knew there were two former Likudniks recruited to the Blue and White bloc by Moshe Yaalon’s faction. They made clear that they were resisting even a tacit relationship with the “Arab” parties. Gantz, though, felt they would fall in line rather than being responsible for destroying the chances of his Party forming the new government. But what a difference a day makes.
He woke up to discover that Orly Levy-Abekasis, a former Yisrael Beitenu MK, now running on Amir Peretz’s Labor faction, had essentially bolted from the paddock. Despite having said publicly a week ago that she would be willing to serve in a government supported by the Joint List, today she announced it would “violate basic norms and values” of the country for her to do so. It is always refreshing when a politician casts their racist, selfish motive in the high-minded rhetoric of upholding the values of the nation. And with a straight face she calls Gantz a hypocrite for “shamefully being willing to pay any price to anybody in order to form a minority government.”
Think of it: in Germany, a Christian Democratic state governor approved a coalition with the neo-Naiz AfD party. The furor that resulted caused Chancellor Merkel’s heir apparent to resign. That is what Levy-Abekasis is claiming. That the Joint List is the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis. And that, in a nutshell, is why Israel is f*ked. As long as this sort of Judeo-fascist thinking prevails the country is doomed to become a third-rate Judeo-theocratic backwater. And it’s well on its way there.
Who’s to blame for this mess? No other than Amir Peretz, leader of the Labor Party, who recruited her from obscurity when her Party failed in its first attempt to enter Knesset. Her father was a senior Likud leader. Her brother is a Likud mayor. But somehow Peretz believed that recruiting her would add to his list.
In fact, Time of Israel reports a rumor that Levy-Abekasis’ brother was seen entering Netanyahu’s residence the night before she announced her desertion of the Labor-Meretz coalition. Supposedly, he was bearing a message from her to the PM. If she succeeds in causing a fourth election you can expect her to receive a high ranking in Likud’s next electoral list. Betrayal has its privileges.
This only confirms the continuing bankruptcy of the Zionist Left, which believes that it must sacrifice any real progressive values in order to persuade right-wing voters to turn to it. It’s an affliction of all left and centrist politics in Israel. The answer isn’t to pander to voters who won’t give you the time of day. The answer is to remain true to your values and express them as vigorously as you can. To stand for something other than compromise and betrayal.
This further proves that the only real alternative for Israeli progressives, whether Jewish or Palestinian, is the Joint List. It represents its voters fully. While some of the factions are willing to compromise in supporting Gantz for prime Minister for example, they largely hold fast to fundamental principles and aggressively represent their constituents. They represent a vision of a nation integrating Jews and Palestinians, instead of a factional tribalism mentality offered by the Jewish Parties.
Were she the only holdout the new government could move ahead anyway. But if she and the two Blue and White naysayers together would sink the ship. Unless they can be persuaded to change their minds, Israel is headed to a fourth round of elections coming in the fall.
The difference between the film, Groundhog Day and Israeli elections is that in the film, Bill Murray’s asshole weatherman gradually becomes a better human being each day until he is finally redeemed by love. In the Israeli elections, each result is the same (or worse) than the one before. My definition of a national nightmare.
The question is: are these three MKs posturing for position or a cabinet ministry appointment? Or are they firm in their view? Another question: what, if anything have they each been promised if they bolt their current posts and join the Likud List for the next election? One of the many things I detest about Israeli politics is the naked horsetrading that goes on. Of course, such things happen in every government. But not as nakedly as in Israel. So you can’t necessarily presume that what the holdouts are saying today is their final say. If they are bartering for something, they could still fall in line. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
All is lost only if Sanders puts personal virtue ahead of the national interest.
One of the problem with elderly politicians is that sometimes old people lose it mentally. Not always: Sanders is still sharp as a tack. But sometimes: Biden is becoming a confused old man. It showed up again just today in that altercation he had with a factory worker in Michigan.
Sanders still has one more chance. He’s about to have a debate with Biden; he can take the high road, or he can go for the jugular. Have a dignified debate and leave Biden as the front runner, or show Biden up as a doddering old fool — in the nicest possible way of course.
It comes down to whether Sanders wants to be the good guy — and let either Biden or Trump become our next president — or choose the alternative.
I don’t care about Sanders’ soul; I’d like to see him tear Biden a new one, take the nomination, and at a minimum, force Trump to agree to a pacific policy in the Middle East as the price of reelection. Unfortunately, I suspect Sanders may prefer to be the good man here.
It’s too bad; nice guys finish last — and him losing won’t help the rest of us.
Richard.
You won’t vote for Biden even if the November election between him and Trump is close?
My guy quit, and now I support Biden (and would have supported Bernie) to beat Trump.
You come across as a little petulant.
@ Lemontree: THe difference between us is that you supported a candidate who was a corporate shill and I don’t. So of course it’s easy for you to switch from BUttigieg to Biden since Biden is cut from the same cloth. Bernie isn’t, which is why I support him.
I could give a shit.
Thx for yr wisdom and inspiration Bernie!
May many carry the torch of change!
@Lemontree
Capitalism is about “winning”
Democracy should be about “social justice”
Social Justice lost to Wall Street [R&D]
Sanders was way too dogmatic for the American majority, so this is no surprise at all. Now the Democrats are stuck with a doddering senile fool. In 4 years Warren will beat Trump. She should have gotten the nomination this time too. (At least in 4 years she will not have these two old guys in her way anymore.)
@Elisabeth
Your anger is getting to you. Age has nothing to do with electability of Bernie Sanders.
Over 4 yours another chance to beat Trump???
Please ….
Oui, I said nothing about his age in relation to his electability: I mentioned dogmatism. What I said about 4 years from now is simply that both Biden and Sanders will not run due to their age.
4 more Trump years. – guaranteed, by then bye bye America, it was nice knowing you, you may have the greatest Armada ever for what , to protect the Bezos and Apple, yahoo.
Yet another election bought for and by money, people have no say, no health, no wealth, no way.
Yet another match up of white old men.
America is heading backward ruled by money and religion, Vatican type, Israel type. useless type.
The only scary thing in Sanders is his defect of saying outloud the TRUTH. America doesn’t want to hear truths.
America want to stay in a legal marijuana induced fog, so the poor stay poor and go broke buying a couple of shares whilst the Gates buy a couple of countries. While good old catholic Ireland is legalizing abortion America wants its women bare feet pregnant and in the kitchen,
Biden has zero hope in hell of winning. Even California may go red
Thank you for this commiseration about Sanders loss. He worked so hard!!
Ironic that the panic over coronavirus and Sanders coincided. The comments I read, many simply anti-Sanders period. He’s not a Democrat! Socialist! People have been throughly drained by Trump and want comfort and normalcy,; they don’t want to be alarmed everyday. (The MSM will find a way.) Thus we have the resurrection of Biden. Good luck with that. I don’t think Biden is up to the job mentally, if he can win. He has perked up by his “success”, has a great smile and is a nice guy. We are not going where we need to go with him if he wins. IF.
Bernie you only see scowling and finger pointing in the media.
I put success in quotes because I think the Biden success was engineered by the Democratic “powers that be” (Kerry so disappointed the other day with his red-baiting of Sanders) the MSM punditry. The “moderates” could not deal with progressive movement even though we are urgent for one.
What with all the fear mongering the votes swung to Biden like a virus spreading.
Warren did herself in. Warren’s stubborn attack while complaining of being attacked was off track. Against Sanders , it was about some silly thing he says he did not say, she says he did, about women etc etc. obviously playing to women’s resentment. So for show she was burning her bridge to Sanders.Yes it could have been repaired; I wished for that.But her ineptness started with her Pocohantas response, showing toughness where it’s silly. She was great on the stump it seemed, with some, especially educated women but she did not resonate broadly. She’s a great Senator and she would make a better president than Biden. It may be just too hard to run. I’d like to think we can elect a woman president.Is she bitter now?
But I am woe now too, maybe bitter. Democrats owe a debt of gratitude to Sanders. He is being swept aside like unwanted trash. I have grown increasingly admiring of him this last round too. He’s amazing. I am even further left than I was.
About Israel… I’m giving up. It’s hopeless.
Mr. Richard
i read you’re heartbroken and all, YET , you are also breaking me. VOTING IS NOT A CHOICE, I WAS INDOCTRINATED THAT VOTING WAS AN “OBLIGATION” , it does not matter what may BE matters WHAT YOU DO. if you scream loud enough maybe you may convince those in THE STATES THAT DO MATTER to vote, THEN THEY WILL BRING THE RESULT. if you give up you start the domino effect. not only must you vote you must lead by example. you want change, change starts with the first step, which is you voting.
biden might suck to high heaven and back, no disagreement here, but no matter how much he sucks he’ll never suck as much as the current idiot. so you want to undo this, then lead,
do not hide behind the electoral chamber, do not waste your vote/voice.
@ nessim dayan: First I didn’t say I wasn’t going to vote. I will vote. But I will not vote for Biden.
I voted for McGovern: loved him but he lost. I didn’t vote for Carter (voted instead for Barry Commoner), but he disappointed politically. For Mondale, he lost and disappointed. For Clinton, won and was disappointed. For Kerry, he lost and I was disappointed. For Gore, he lost and I was disappointed. For Obama: initially enthusiastic, but afterward disappointed. The ones I loved, lost. The ones who won, disappointed. I’m done with that.
One more comment on Sanders and Warren and then I will not mention this again: I think it was a mistake for Sanders to insist on running again after the mess in 2016. Clinton stepped down, and Sanders should have too, giving Warren a real shot. She wasn’t part of that mess, but a new, positive force who would have unified progressives of all ages and kinds. After his heart attack, had he given over the reins to her, all of this would have ended very differently. Biden is an incredibly weak candidate, who inspires no-one and is easy prey for Trump type bullying. I think there is a very real chance that Trump will win again.
Something I think needs to be stressed, and unfortunately it never is, is that elections are not the be all and end all of making change in America. A lot of older Democrats like to harp on about the civil rights movement, but forget that it was demonized in its day by the vast majority of Americans, spied on by the intelligence community and repressed in the seventies and eighties by the same politicians who wax poetic about it now. What they implicitly admit, even if accidentally, is that change comes from the grassroots and away from political institutions.
Think about what the goals of most Americans are. Single payer health care, cancelling massive student loan debt, ending useless wars, affordable housing. Bernie’s supporters gave his campaign a huge war chest in the tens, possibly even hundreds, of millions of dollars. If they were to give even a quarter of that amount of money to organizations that aren’t beholden to the establishment and are willing to use unauthorized and potentially even illegal actions to advance their cause, it would be a much more effective use of resources that will actually force change.
People outside of politics have the right idea. Students just flat out refusing to pay their student loan debts in mass will trigger an economic collapse and either force a brutal repression, leading to an admission by the establishment that we truly live in a fascist police state where elections mean nothing anyway, or force institutions to cancel the debt in order to re-spur the economy.
Those who want single payer should expose the horrible ways that private health insurance denies treatment and compare it to the lifestyles of their CEO’s who make tens of millions each year off of denying care to those who need it. If the heads of AETNA or Blue Cross or United Healthcare had the universal name recognition of the Kardashians, it would help to place faces to important issues and make private health insurance companies politically toxic enough, like big tobacco, to push through medicare for all with little powerful opposition.
In terms of endless wars, most Americans want to end them, but they aren’t as active as the anti-war movement in the 60’s against the invasion of Vietnam. That’s evident in the establishment’s attempts to stop Trump from pulling troops out of Afghanistan. I’ll link to the article below, but this passage exemplifies the argument that the neo liberals and war hawks are going to use as the Taliban agreement starts to take shape:
“The American presence in Afghanistan is not large. It is not expensive. It is no longer costing hundreds or even dozens of casualties each year (just 22 were killed there in 2019, compared to nearly 500 in 2010). There is no mass anti-war movement. The American people are not sick of the war: They are hardly even paying attention to it. Just two weeks ago Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed that “[n]obody right now is calling for the complete removal of U.S. and coalition forces” from Afghanistan. No one, that is, except the Taliban—and now the Trump administration has joined them.”
https://www.lawfareblog.com/bad-deal-afghanistan
All of this is horrendous logic, but it’s the argument of the establishment. Because not enough troops are dying and it’s supposedly (but not really) not that costly and because there’s no open anti war movement, we shouldn’t stop occupying Afghanistan. Americans are too passive in their opposition to these wars. If they want to force them to end, then they have to become more active and willing to take on both Republicans and Democrats in demanding that the troops come home.
When we have costly endeavors like this, the establishment has no valid right to complain about the cost of single payer or any other government program the public demands. In exit poll after exit poll this election season, a majority (sometimes as high as 70% or 80%) of Democrats want the things that Bernie and his campaign have fought for, even in states Biden won. Bernie may not be the right commander to lead the charge (he’s too pacifist and doesn’t have the fighter spirit one needs to win a decisive blow against someone as propped up as Biden), but that doesn’t mean his supporters should stop fighting when he loses. They just need to take to the streets and make it so the system can’t function until it bends the knee. At the end of the day, the people have all the power. They just have to build the confidence to use it.
Sunday Debate is ON … Dems will stay in the highlight
Could be a very special occasion to see whether progressives and conservatives in the Dem party find common ground … I refuse to believe Bernie Sanders will harm his movement and do Trump a favor to carry on a primary fight.
Why do progressive Americans always go on about single payer healthcare as if that is the only thing that works?!! In Europe only the UK and Spain have such systems and they are certainly not the most cost effective or good at reducing waiting lists. All other European countries with universal healthcare have strictly regulated systems that are a combination of a public option and private insurance. (In the Netherlands there is not even a public option, yet the system is supposedly very cost effective and functional according to international comparisons.) Yet Warren was totally demonized when she backed off of single payer in favor of such a system.
Single payer is NOT going to be implemented in the US. Ever. Get over it and choose (like Warren) one of the many other options that work just as well, and are achievable. Inform yourself.
No. The difference between us, is that I said that I would support a Socialist in order to defeat Trump, and you said that you would not support a ‘corporate shill’ in order to defeat Trump.
A big difference.
I’m moving on.
@ Lemontree: No. You’re disingenuous because you know you won’t have to vote for the Democratic Socialist. So it’s easy for you to claim you will do something you will not have to do, and would never do even if Bernie was the candidate. I am honest. You are not.
You called the Joint List the “Palestinian Joint List”. Don’t you realize that you are a hypocrite ? You yourself criticize Israeli Jews for not being inclusive of Arab Israelis but then you yourself also exclude the Arab Israeli party from Israel by calling it Palestinian . What a hypocrite and moron you are Richard
@ Sam: Israeli Palestinians do not call themselves “Arab” and do not want to be called “Arab.” So stop being racist and calling them by terms used by Bibi and his Judeo-fascists.
I used the term “Palestinian Joint List” because in the context of the sentence in which I used it, I was referring to the fact that Benny Gantz faced fierce opposition to including the Joint List in his ruling coalition. Why did he face such resistance? Because the Joint List is Israeli Jewish? Or because it is Palestinian? You know the answer. Use of the term “Palestinian” in that context was meant to point out the reason the Party was being shunned in forming the coalition.
Nor is there anything wrong with pointing out that the Joint List and the Israeli minority population it represents is Palestinian. Palestinians live in Israel. You can call them Israeli Palestinians or whatever you wish. But they are Palestinian and related to those Palestinians living outside the Green Line in that many of the latter are directly descended from Israeli Palestinians expelled during Nakba.
I only approved this comment because the first part was reasonable. But your last sentence has earned you an outright ban for violating the comment rules, which you clearly didn’t bother to read despite the explicit warning to do so before commenting.
to Elisabeth …
Mad About Elizabeth Warren
Thank you Oui. This sums it up for me : “Her loss is very personal, especially for older women. It gins up all those feelings we have that, in the end, we are viewed as inadequate. No wonder so many of us are mad as hell.”