2 ms·
That's stretching the meaning of "democratic". From the report: The bottom line is that AIPAC, which is a de facto agent for a foreign government, has a strang
by MikeUt 5y ago
That's stretching the meaning of "democratic". From the report:
The bottom line is that AIPAC, which is a de facto agent for a foreign government, has a stranglehold on the U.S. Congress. Open debate about U.S. policy towards Israel does not occur there, even though that policy has important consequences for the entire world. Thus, one of the three main branches of the U.S. government is firmly committed to supporting Israel. As former Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC) noted as he was leaving office, “You can’t have an Israeli policy other than what AIPAC gives you around here.” Small wonder that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon once told an American audience. “When people ask me how they can help Israel, I tell them—Help AIPAC.”
[..]
The Lobby also has significant leverage over the Executive branch. That power derives in part from the influence Jewish voters have on presidential elections. Despite their small numbers in the population (less than 3 percent), they make large campaign donations to candidates from both parties. The Washington Post once estimated that Democratic presidential candidates “depend on Jewish supporters to supply as much as 60 percent of the money.”
- bitcurious 5y ago> That power derives in part from the influence Jewish voters have on presidential elections. The definition of democratic. This constituency has an issue they care about, and votes for it. Everyone has a top issue. Some folks vote based on gun control. Some vote based on healthcare. Some vote based on foreign policy. Everyone only gets one Most Important Thing, and if they organize around it shit happens. If there was a constituency that cared as much about changing our Israeli policy then things would change, but alas the folks complaining don’t actually care very much. If you want a parallel example, look at how the US foreign policy towards Cuba is successfully shaped by a rather small number of Cuban Americans in Florida. They care, they advocate, shit happens.
- MikeUt 5y ago> The definition of democratic. If you'd continue reading, the following two sentences explain that "influence": Despite their small numbers in the population (less than 3 percent), they make large campaign donations to candidates from both parties. The Washington Post once estimated that Democratic presidential candidates “depend on Jewish supporters to supply as much as 60 percent of the money.”
- unmole 5y agoThe difference is that Cuban Americans are not advocating on behalf of a foreign government.