Ms Shiffman, children can still be pro-Israel and Republican

Submitted by sally (United States), Oct 26, 2012 at 17:49

Hello Irvin,

I am happy to hear that you are cognizant of Jews and their plights in the world. I myself lived in Israel for 10 years and yes, I do have children over 21 (just over :)

I am very aware of the 'pulses' of young Americans, I interact with my kids' friends abundantly and get into arguments sometimes. I do my best to offer them different viewpoints than what they get on Huffington Post or Jon Stewart. (as an aside, Southpark has done a commendable job in my opinion keeping young people thinking critically and challenging the norm). I find that most of them are generally apathetic about politics and very self absorbed.

Both of my children are strongly opinionated about Israel and her security as well as about the economy and weak foreign policy of the Obama administration. Both are voting for Romney. Perhaps I interject my views too much and my life experiences, but from what I see it is not very common for adult children to assume the politics of the parents... so I am fortunate. I also see that they manage to get along with friends who are critical of Israel.

I am glad that you watched the movie but why does your daughter have to choose one over the other? it is not a competition and each needs help in different ways. Perhaps explain to her, as I did when my sons were studying for their bar mitzvahs, that many many people died because they were Jewish and that they (each boy) represent every one of the children who did not live to be here when they stand up and read the Torah. the State of Israel exists to help those people, only 60 years ago. It is a necessary haven for persecuted Jews and would welcome those Iranian Jews if they chose to come. That is why Israel is important. History gives the perspective.

I agree than neither candidate can be counted on to act in the best interests of Israel and that the campaign rhetoric of both is just that. On the other hand, I see the proof of Obama in the past 4 years in repeatedly dissing Israel. Romney came to my attention years ago when he refused as MA Gov to provide security detail for a rabid Islamic figure. I remember that influenced me back then. He is on great terms with Israeli companies and Israeli politicians and unlike Obama does not believe that disrespecting Israel is a strategy to cajole the arabs into coming to the peace table (that is what I believe O's intent is). Peace through strength works much better from what I have seen.

As far as the women's issues with Republicans, I of course agree and I am a social liberal for the most part. I am dismayed by the silly comments of these senators and their stupidity. But I do not define the Republican party by them. I am an economy and foreign policy voter, period. Without economy, nothing else is relevant.

I do not believe that presidents have impact on social issues in the long run and I am not running around screaming for my reproductive rights as obama is fear-mongering about daily. I believe that the dems vastly underestimate women if they think that all we care about is bs about reproduction or as O said yesterday, that R would overturn Roe V Wade. It is ridiculous and many women are offended by such idiocy. Check the polls.

Most women I know are much more concerned about the economy, taxes and debt than the dems understand. What I do know is that the idiotic comments of these senators will be front page news until the election. Benghazi and the woeful tragic bungling will be nowhere to be found. I looked around today, nowhere but on foxnews.

Which do you think is more important?

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