Most of us have participated in an argument (or two) over important and trivial matters.
Have you ever been involved in an argument where the opposing side rarely addresses an issue directly? Instead, there will be various excuses based on personal feelings, slanted historical views, facts with little to no merit, etc.
If not, welcome to the Jewish Canadian left’s never-ending excuse factory.
York University Prof. Michael Brown has written the latest chapter in this saga. Here are a few (ahem) highlights from his July 9 CJN op-ed:
After correctly pointing out that “Jews have historically sided with the liberal left,” Brown wrote, “Increasingly, however, conservative-minded Jews, encouraged by uncritical pro-Israel pronouncements of the contemporary political and religious right, and motivated by their own perceived economic interests, have been touting a rightward tilt. Many of them seem oblivious to history.”
The validity of a “recent CJN column” (mine, in fact) that Jews in the “pre-Depression, pre-FDR years usually voted Republican” is acknowledged. Yet, he excused it because “in those years, the Republicans tended to be more socially conscious than the Democrats.”
Controversial historical figures, including Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Henry Ford, Father Charles Coughlin and Jean-Marie Le Pen, are mentioned. The thoughts, beliefs and actions of these individuals and others clearly led the academic to make this statement, “No wonder many Jews with a memory lean to the left!”
What does all of this mean? In a nutshell, Jewish conservatives are motivated by single-minded goals, blinded by the messaging techniques of right-leaning political parties, ignore the lessons of history, and are, quite frankly, stupid.
Normally, I ignore this type of left-wing screed. Yet, it’s worth briefly breaking down some of this nonsense to prove how little the Jewish left truly understands the Jewish right’s mindset.
First, Jews aren’t voting Tory because of Ottawa’s pro-Israel stance. That’s the fantasy the political left wants you to believe. In reality, more Canadian Jews support a right-leaning political, economic and social agenda than ever before. Tory support for Israel is an added bonus, but it plays a secondary role in Jewish voting behaviour at best. Don’t believe the hype, folks.
Second, Jews are becoming more fiscally and socially conservative. Support for small government, lower taxes, fiscal prudence, more individual rights and freedoms, trade liberalization and a robust foreign policy is growing. Canada’s Jewish community is fundamentally aware of this shift. The political left can continue to ignore or dismiss it at their own peril.
Third, Jews are able to think for themselves. The near-collective political mindset of the past no longer exists. Community and religious leaders don’t have the same sway or influence they once had. The notion that tikkun olam guides Jewish voting patterns is preposterous, too. Rather, today’s Jews vote as individuals, based on their likes and dislikes.
Fourth, Jews don’t take pride in the same things that they used to. Like it or not, this community played a role in the growth of left-wing political movements, trade unions and other radical organizations. Some may be pleased as punch about this. Jewish conservatives are often repulsed and mortified, and understandably so.
Fifth, Jews can differentiate the past from the present. While they know the lessons of history, they’re astute enough to understand that mainstream political conservatism has changed – for the better. Those who ignore the fact that the political left has also changed, and often for the worse, are the ones who have truly experienced a memory loss.
There’s no excuse for left-wing Jewish Canadians to hide from this new political reality any longer. Close down the factory, give it a rest, and move forward.
Michael Taube is a Sun Media columnist, Washington Times contributor and former speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.