Are Jews Brainwashed?
I was listening to the Dennis Prager show today, and in the last hour he had Thomas Sowell on (both of whom have been guests on Ricochet's podcast these last few weeks). One caller asked if Dr. Sowell thought Herman Cain's claim that he could get 30% of the black vote was reasonable- Sowell said he didn't think it could happen.
He then said something that really hit home- "the Jewish vote is almost as pro-Democratic as the black vote, and with even less reason." Dennis chuckled after hearing that- and so did I.
I used the word "brainwash" in the title because it's a fun way to align what Herman Cain said about blacks to what we see with the Jewish vote. But more substantively, I'd like to start a discussion here on the following question- why is the Jewish vote so consistently "pro-Democrat" (or, if you will, why are Jews so often liberals?)
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Jul '11
Re: Are Jews Brainwashed?
I live in a heavily Jewish constituency here in San Diego so all of what follows is anecdotal at best. In my part of town the Haredi (orthodox) families are incredibly conservative! The Karaite families tend to be very conservative as well. The 'Reform' families are the ones who seem to be the most liberal in my area. Again, anecdotal at best, however the Reform families tend to be the least overtly religious (attend temple etc) and the most secular.
So, now that I've rambled... I have no idea why they consistently vote liberal. On average, Jewish families value education and insist that their children receive the best the system can offer. WIth that said, it makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever that they vote the way they do. Given the history of the Jewish people under mild to sever socialist governments in Europe, one would think they would be acutely libertarian.
One does wonder whether or not it has something to do with the Talmudic laws and not being an expert I have to simply leave that as a question.
Re: Are Jews Brainwashed?
I think I remember hearing that the more orthodox a Jew is, the more likely he or she is to be conservative. Seems like that makes sense.
The education part makes a lot of sense. Maybe that's it.
Oct '10
Re: Are Jews Brainwashed?
I once heard it had something to do with FDR defeating Hitlar, but that was totally anecdotal.
Re: Are Jews Brainwashed?
If you're interested, have a look at this book. It basically maintains that the overwhelming liberalism among Jews stems from historical persecution from the right and protection from the left. The book also says that, given the socioeconomic status of Jews in America today, it is much more sensible for them to take a conservative position. Interesting read.
Oct '10
Re: Are Jews Brainwashed?
I don't get that impression from my (admittedly more limited than that author's) reading of history. Jews were hated just as much by the left as the right; in many ways, hatred of Jews arose during the period when they dominated finance (back when the Church prohibited banks run by Christians), and banker paranoia has never been restricted to one end of the political spectrum.