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Congressional Elections - Good for the Jews (and the Buddhists)While there was some talk in the media about the election of the first Muslim to Congress - Keith Ellison of Minnesota, nobody has talked about the aspect of religion and the new Congress in the way we New Yorkers are interested. That is – how many additional Jews were elected? I have the answer. According to Congressional Quarterly, the new Congress will have 6 new Jewish Representatives and 2 new Jewish Senators. The new Congressmembers, all Democrats are; Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona John Yarmuth, Kentucky Ron Klein, Florida Paul Hodes, New Hampshire, Steven Cohen, Tennessee Steven Kagen, Wisconsin And the new Senators are 2 present Congressmen – Ben Cardin, Maryland Bernie Sanders, Vermont Since I do not believe any Jewish members retired, so that makes a net gain of 4. Of course, percentage wise that’s not as impressive an increase as the Muslims did with Ellison but they trail the Buddhists, who really entered the mainstream. The new Congress has gone from 0 to 2 Buddhists, also Democrats: Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Hank Johnson, Georgia That’s right, the guy who beat Cynthia McKinney in Atlanta is an African-American Buddhist! What a country! Congressional Elections -
why do you say a net gain of 4 and not 8? and what are the new totals in the house and in the senate?
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you're forgetting that George Allen probably lost, meaning only a net gain of one jew in the senate.
Which brings up the potential presidential candidacy of Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold. Great guy. Super on the positions. Progressives love him. Yet some of the more cynical pundits will say Feingold shouldn't even bother running. Why? Not because he's twice divorced-- which won't help any-- but because he's jewish. Their view being that there simply aren't enough states in this country where the voters will be willing to elect a President who doesn't believe in Jesus. You'd like to believe that this country is ready to elect a non-christian nationally, but its easy to see that an atheist, a jew, or a muslim would be a hard sell in the red or border states. Some of the more cynical would say that we should forget Hillary or Obama as presidential candidates either, because blacks and women aren't any more likely than jews to get elected president. Hopefully times have changed. I don't think we know that for sure yet.
The net gain is lower because while you can ad Cardin and Sanders to the Senate, you must subtract them from the house.
Respecting the diversity of this great country is the first step to knowing what it really means to be an American. America has yet to fulfill its promise. When it does, it will be the greatest culture that has ever existed -- the greatest art, the greatest food, and etc. Only racism and ignorance stand in the way of America’s promise. I hope we can be part of the solution. If we are willing to bust open the tiny ignorant racists box we live in, America can live up to its promise and will be the greatest nation ever for the next 10,0000 years. Dare to imagine. Terry jarlship alcippe giddyhead iyo couldron bromhydrate hazen coulisse jarlship alcippe giddyhead iyo couldron bromhydrate hazen coulisse jarlship alcippe giddyhead iyo couldron bromhydrate hazen coulisse jarlship alcippe giddyhead iyo couldron bromhydrate hazen coulisse Post new comment |
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