Guest Post [this post reflects only the view of Rabbi Pollak - will publish articles supporting other candidates as well]
Ted Cruz is simply the best- by far - on our top two issues: Israel’s security, and school choice.
We send politicians and "Shtadlanim" (special pleaders/lobbyists) to Washington and state capitals with the hope that they will advocate on our behalf. We hope they can lobby the powers-that-be, to be sensitive to our community's concerns......imagine having a President, that unapologetically advocates for our values......himself!!
Foreign Policy: Israel
The most concerning foreign policy issue to our community- and it's not even close- is the safety and security of our brothers and sisters, "the six million Jews" living in Eretz Yisrael.
Caroline Glick has publicly stated, that Israel has no greater friend than Senator Ted Cruz. That is an understatement. Senator Cruz has been defending and FIGHTING against Israel’s many mortal enemies for a very long time.
A Cruz Presidency would be the most pro-Israel presidency IN HISTORY. Do you think that this is an exaggeration? You won't, after you hear what happened, when newly elected Senator Ted Cruz was invited to give the keynote address at the Gala-dinner in Washington D.C....
"In Defense of Christians"- is a non-profit group created to raise awareness of the plight of Christians in the middle east at the hands of Muslims. They invited the freshly elected, outspoken, and articulate Senator, to be their main speaker. As a devout Evangelical Christian, and a passionate voice for his Christian brethren the world over, Cruz was a perfect choice, and the Senator accepted. Cruz would later say, that he had been informed on the day of the dinner, that there will be Jew haters at the event...... Did he temper his remarks, or pander to the audience, like any politician would? NO!...
“Tonight”, began Cruz, “we are all united in defense of Christians. Tonight, we are all united in defense of JEWS." Boos began.... Did that stop the courageous LEADER? of course not!!... Two sentences later Ted Cruz announced in no uncertain terms, “Christians have no greater ally than Israel.” The boos resumed as did cries of “just stop it!!!"......
Calmly, the statesman paused collecting his thoughts, and without a hint of anger or trace of confrontation said, “If you will not stand with Israel and the Jewish people, then I will not stand with you. Good Night and G-d bless you.” Cruz, then, smiled, waved to crowd and walked off the stage!!!
Had Senator Cruz been just another "pro-Israel" politician, he would have rationalized, that the dinner was about an important issue, and simply refrained from mentioning the two words that drove those anti-Semitic bigots crazy [Jews and Israel] ...BUT NOT CRUZ! If you don't stand with the freedom loving Jews of Israel, Senator Cruz wants to have nothing to do with you!
Lest you think this was some publicity stunt, on behalf of the Senator to garner Jewish votes, consider the way this story was reported at the time (and is still reported as such, online) "Cruz Gets Booed Off Stage"!! It was treated as a great humiliation and failure on Cruz's part, and he wasn't given any credit in the media for being principled, and standing up for an ally- The State of Israel... But, WE must recognize that we truly have a one-of-a-kind friend, in Senator Ted Cruz.
In his short time in the Senate, Cruz led many efforts on Israel's behalf. He successfully led the effort to cancel Obama's anti-Semitic travel ban, during the Gaza war. He also shone a bright light on the plight of the three kidnapped Kedoshim by giving an impassioned speech on the floor of the senate next to a big picture of the three of them. Most critically, against the catastrophic Iranian "deal", there is not one person- Jew or Gentile- that has worked, advocated, campaigned, or argued as much as Cruz has...
As for promises for the future, Cruz has given his word- which has so far been as good as gold-to rip-up the Iranian "deal", and to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, on his FIRST day as President. He also intends to defund Universities that engage in BDS, and prosecute those engaged in illegal boycotts. Most importantly, for the first time since Oslo in the mid 90's, President Cruz will not impose on Israel a commitment to the failed "Two State Solution".
To put it in perspective, here are the current candidates for President-all self-proclaimed "Pro-Israel"- and where they stand relative to past Presidents’ relationship to Israel...
-Bernie Sanders & Hillary Clinton = Barak Obama......biased towards the "poor Hamas killers".
-Donald Trump = Bill Clinton......neutral, and evenhanded and very susceptible to bullying the more reasonable and peace loving side -Israel.
-Kasich (Rubio, mainline GOP) = George W. Bush......biased towards Israel, but easily distracted or overridden by other regional concerns.
-Ted Cruz= A class of his own......committed to the safety and viability of the State of Israel.
For those of you, considering supporting Trump, and ignoring his very troubling statements regarding Israel, because "Trump's daughter, and her family are Jewish, so Trump will certainlybe good towards Israel".... don't forget that Hillary's [ONLY] daughter is also married to a Jewish boy, and Senator Bernie Sanders is HIMSELF a Jew from Brooklyn!!!
Domestic Policy: School Choice
Our community is uniquely effected by the ongoing debate nationwide between the public school system, and empowering the parents to send their children to a school of their choosing. Senator Cruz's oft-repeated cry, that "school choice is the civil rights issue of this generation", can potentially SAVE - financially - our struggling families......
With public school absolutely off the table in the Orthodox community, every family is forced to pay tuition to educate our typically large families. In effect, we are all essentially being double taxed. We pay taxes to educate our neighbors' children in public schools, and then pay again, in the form of tuition, for our large families.
For years, we have understood, that if only every parent would receive a "voucher" to pay tuition to the school of their choice, almost everyone will be happy. Those of us inclined to send to private schools, would be able to do so in an affordable way. For the public in general, the free market would dramatically improve academic levels and equally as dramatic, drive down the cost.
A President Cruz, that is an ardent supporter of school choice, can help arguably the three most vulnerable among us; the Yungerleit/young families (haven't secured themselves financially), the large families (drowning in tuition bills), and the Yeshivas and their supporters (unable to recover all the tuition owed/ unable to cover the collection costs).
It is also important to realize that, free market principles are an integral part of Cruz’s worldview, he isn't "pandering" (telling a group of voters what they want to hear) to Orthodox Jewish voters. In fact, Ted Cruz, unlike Trump, DOES NOT pander. So when Donald Trump was promising Iowa farmers that he will force Americans to buy their corn for ethanol/gas, Ted Cruz did not tell that powerful interest what they wanted to hear. Senator Cruz also does not try to sound like something he is not. Trump cynically tries to fool the voters that he is a religious guy, and very pro-life, and then ends up embarrassing himself when his ignorance is exposed in public.
Why is this so important? Simple. When a politician is pandering to a specific group, even if hewas inclined to keep that promise, he would only be doing so, to curry favor from that group. The politician will easily change his mind, when a more powerful group with an opposing viewpoint, comes along, and the he wants to "pander" to them... (for example, in the case of school choice, the powerful teacher's union is dead-set against it). Ted isn't pandering, so his intentions won't be easily overridden. Couple that with his perfect record on keeping his word, and we are in business!
Cruz's unshakable support for Israel is also not a nod to the pro-Israel lobby. It flows from a firm belief in fairness and rule of law, and the commitment to friends and allies.
So, even if you don't feel like you are working for the federal government for three months a year, and you don't care for Ted Cruz’s 10% flat tax....and even if your insurance premiums didn't double under Obamacare (or you are on Medicare) ....and even if your deductibles didn’t skyrocket in the last few years.... Ted Cruz should still be your choice!
For the first time that any of us can remember, the Primaries in New York and New Jersey are consequential. Let us show our gratitude to Ted, for his unwavering support of the State of Israel. Cruz can, and B’ezras Hashem will, win this race. Let us do our “hishtadlus” to make it happen. Additionally, an outpouring of support from our community, will certainly shape the cost-benefit analysis for other politicians too, to be more positive towards Israel....
In your states primary, vote for Cruz like your life depends on it.... because your brothers' and sisters' probably does.
You're totally biased!!! Nothing better than the Media!
ReplyDeleteCan you at least try to give a factual rebuttal to this article instead of lamely crying BIAS?
ReplyDeleteTrump has only 1 deficiency and that is his mouth. But the fact that he doesnt accept campaign contributions because he is a billionaire is a HUGE advantage as most politicians become BLIND to the truth after accepting monies from lobbyists. Trump also likes Israel and remember his own daughter converted to Judaism. Therefore i wouldnt worry so much about Trumps position on Israel, rather we need a good president who can turn around the woes of America and he seems to have this incentive more than the rest!
ReplyDeleteThere is not a republican candidate worth voting for. If you don't vote democratic it is better not to vote.
ReplyDeleteHow do we expect Americans to consider us loyal citizens when all we do is vote based on the candidate's position regarding Israel and vouchers? Obviously, I would not suggest to vote for a candidate who would be clearly bad for Israel, but as Americans, we need to vote for the candidate who would be better for our society here in America. Moreover, with regards to Israel, you never know which president is really good for Israel. Take for example George W. Bush, who was considered by many to be a very pro-Israel president. But then he went and pressured Ariel Sharon to give back the Gaza Strip. While, on the other hand, if you get a president like Obama, at least you are aware to be on guard. That is my position.
ReplyDeleteOver concerned. ...
ReplyDeleteAlso, if a candidate is unclear about Israel, you can be pretty clear that he will absolutely not care and just pander. ........
I thought just to vote Republican to insure that not another Democrat enters.:-)..
ReplyDeleteAll minorities and subgroups of citizerns have bias toward candidates that are better for their group. That includes woman, seniors, blacks, Hispanics, evangelicals. What's not loyal about that? The people as a whole is comprised of many different groups, each with their own priorities and needs.
ReplyDeleteWe were wondering here on Da'as Torah who pulled off the geirus...
ReplyDeleteBecause Jews who choose Israel's interest over the US are seen as disloyal. That's the way it always has been in golus.
ReplyDeleteThere is not a democratic candidate worth voting for. If you don't vote republican it is better not to vote.
ReplyDeleteThis author is completely wrong. The first and main issue on the minds of us as Orthodox Jews must be sheva Mitzvos--promoting G-d's law to the world, and preventing those forces who oppose it from gaining an even greater stranglehold over society. THIS is the reason that every single Orthodox Jew MUST vote for Cruz, and for the Republican candidate in ANY election (assuming that that candidate is relatively more conservative and in line with sheva Mitzvos than his Dem opponent).
ReplyDeleteThat's the way it has been with Jews who constantly look over their shoulder. BTW we're not in galus, in the sense that we are guests in someone else's country, because we are equal citizens. we are in galus inly in the sense that our homeland is EY.
ReplyDeleteWe are completely in Galus as we always have been. Even those of us who live in EY. Sorry. Unless Moshiach has arrived and nobody mentioned it to me.
ReplyDeleteToo much to ask, from Trumpbots....
ReplyDeleteRabbi Pollak is not "the media," he is one person expressing his political opinion.
ReplyDeleteFor that matter, there is nothing wrong with a newspaper expressing its opinion on its editorial page, and even endorsing a candidate there.
What is a problem is when the NEWS page is manipulated to favor the political views of the newspaper or TV channel. Nothing remotely like that happening here.
I think that we are concerned with ourselves before we make them our headache.....and I believe that to be Da'as Torah...
ReplyDeleteHonesty and politically incorrect
ReplyDeleteLove living in America where everyone can have an opinion and share it.
See above, Cruzbot.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you say to this?
ReplyDeleteWhat about the danger from all the Muslim immigrants coming in with terrorists mixed among them? Why isn’t that an issue? Only Trump has dealt with stopping this disastrous influx.
There is also the issue of American losing it’s status as an economic power due to out of control taxation and spending and terrible trade imbalance with foreign countries. Correcting these issues would help the parnassa across the board and only Trump has dealt with it.
Trump hasn't dealt with any of that and we would all like to see what he told the ny times regarding the wall. Otoh with Cruz we know what his position is and was and will be. Facts matter!!
ReplyDeleteI guess you haven't been listening to him because he has said numerous times that he would call for a halt to Muslim immigration until some method of screening out the terrorists could be found.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you referring to in regards to the NY Slime? The wall is needed to stop the flood of criminal and drug dealer illegal immigrants as well as the general flow of unvetted immigrants.
Cruz would be fine with me also but he hasn't dealt with these issues as openly as Trump has.
Of course that is not true.
ReplyDeleteTrump first stated PUBLICLY that America SHOULD take in the Syrian refugees (he has a very left leaning tendency). It was only AFTER Cruz and others spoke out against Obama’s plans (and Cruz introduced a bill in the Senate, to that effect) did Donald make his Whaky Muslim proclimation....which is typical Trump stuff- a mixed bag of unenforceable policy, unintended bigotry, and a whole lot of bluster.
Only Trump has proven he CANNOT be anywhere close to any trade ideas. His tariff ideas and threats are what you get when you merge a Kindergarten bully with a ego too large to entertain that a world economy cannot be shaped in the sandbox.
Cruz has very good trade Ideas. His "border adjustable business flat tax" is just brilliant!! (And what you get, when you have the good sense to study the issues, and discuss with QUALIFIED advisors...)
...as you too love living in America. ...
ReplyDelete....just doesn't always mean that I love the way it is being run...
Actually, many people who need to come on to programs would vote Democrat, just hashkafos come before as Rav Avigdor Miller zt"l said in regards to voting...
ReplyDeleteI don't disagree. Was making I just copied and pasted, but switched the placement of democrat and republican. A proclamation without something behind it isn't worth all that much.
ReplyDeleteHow do you define galus? When we were second-class citizens in a foreign country, that is galus. When the country is Polish and we are Jews, we are in galus among the Polish.
ReplyDeleteThe USA, however, does not have any ethnic identity. It has been, from its very inception, a country comprised of citizens from various ethnic groups. What makes Jews foreigners in USA any more than the Italians? Are the Italians any more American than us? As one politician said recently, "We are all immigrants to this country."
If a group of Jews were to find an uninhabited remote island in the Pacific Ocean, should they not establish their own government there because they are still in galus? The USA was founded in a remote corner by a group of people, Jews among them, who established their own government, and declared it a republic for all "the people of the United States", their ethnic origin notwithstanding.. In what way is this galus?
The definition of galus here is much more elusive, even without Moshiach.
But notwithstanding the current definition of galus, I don't think Jews should be at a disadvantage to participate in elections based on the needs of their ethnic group, any less than the Muslims, the blacks or the Indians.
You are thinking the way that the Jews thought in Germany before WWII and in other societies. First of all, the US is not a nation of immigrants. It was founded by White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, and as of today, Whites are still the largest and most dominant group and their ethnic identity. You are extremely naive for thinking that the United States is different than other places where we have lived. How many years did we live in golden years in Germany and Poland before things went sour in those countries for us? Hundreds. How long have Jews, as a large group been in the United states? Around a hundred.
ReplyDelete