However, I am becoming increasingly skeptical of anyone who says they know what to do with the economy. The economy seems to me to be a gigantic cumbersome beast, and any one actor, even one as influential as the President of The United States, who claims they can “fix” it, is delusional. I’ve also begun to question my long-held belief that Democrats tend to propose long-term solutions to problems while Republican proposals are more short-term fixes. I’m now honestly questioning if it’s not the other way around. I was also swayed by this recent Martin Peretz profile into thinking that maybe Obama isn’t the best American leader for Israel (though I’m not sure Romney would be any better, and he could be even worse).

All this is to say that I could now see myself voting, and voting proudly, for a Republican at some point in my life. Unfortunately, there are two issues in which the Democratic party and the GOP fundamentally disagree, and on which I think the GOP is just flat out wrong: abortion and homosexuality.

Regarding abortions: I accept that there is enough moral flexibility for people to believe that life beings at conception, and that getting an abortion is akin to killing a living being. I can even understand the people in that group who believe that pregnancies due to rape, while unfortunate, would still result in a human death if aborted, and thus should carried through to birth. Who I can’t understand are the people that would willingly trade the life of the mother for the life of the unborn baby, or at least not give the family the option, when we have the technology and ability to easily and safely save the mother. The only “logical” argument I see for that is the theistic one, that it’s God’s will that the mother be, essentially, sacrificed for the baby. But this argument is so devoid of empathy that it’s almost unfathomable to me. The health of the baby isn’t guaranteed. Why throw away one guaranteed life for the chance of another?

Regarding gay marriage: If you believe that two people who love each other should not at least be given the option for the same civil rights as two other people who love each other, then you are a mean, insensitive, evil person. If you’re uncomfortable with gay people, fine. But at least have the decency to admit that, and make an effort to understand someone else’s point of view.

In the next week the GOP will be coming out with their official party platform for this election cycle. In it will be calls for the same Constitutional amendments regarding abortion and homosexuality that they’ve been pushing for years. Again, I hope to be able to vote for a Republican at some time in my life; I am a moderate, skeptical voter who sees value in the visions of both parties. But until the GOP accepts abortions, at least for cases when the mother’s life is in danger, and until the party no longer wishes to ban the possibility of marriage for homosexuals – despite what positions the party takes on other issues – I cannot in good conscience support any candidate they endorse.

Find it here.

TCJ: You at least have some friends, though. You mentioned Ethel earlier. What’s she like?

JV: Ethel and I met about 3 years ago in line at the ShopRite. We were chitchatting in line and discovered that we both like that show “Extreme Couponers.” And I’ve always loved to get bargains. So Ethel and I became—we call ourselves bargain sisters. Whenever I get the Sunday circular I call Ethel and say, “Hey Ethel, did you see that—” Even if it’s not kosher we’ll still get it. The bacon cream puffs were on sale: 5 for a dollar! And then I had a coupon for thirty cents off, so I was basically getting them for free. I just take out the bacon.

In related news it’s TC Jewfolk’s third birthday today! We’re trying to raise $5,000 by August 20th, because every dollar donated between now and then will be matched by Kathrine E. and Louis F. Hill! And TCJ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so that’s pretty sweet. These donations, along with other money already raised will go towards hiring an editor, TCJ’s first paid position! So if you’ve liked the stuff I’ve written, liked other things you’ve read on the website, or just like giving money to charity, please consider donating!

And here’s an excerpt:

Gilad Shalit is now a sports columnist for Yediot Aharonot, a leading Israeli newspaper. This proves that even in a tough economy you too can land the job of your dreams. You just need passion, hard work, and 64 months spent as a prisoner of war.

Yeah, it’s that kind of month…

How ya been? Long time no see, right? Yeah, yeah, I’ve been good, you? Busy…  Huh? You’re getting married/divorced/engaged/a cheese sandwich for lunch? That’s great! Well, I’d love to chat some more, but I need to get back to work.  Yeah, let’s definitely get drinks soon. I’m free whenever, just give me a call. Cool. See ya!

OH! WAIT! I just published a new post on TCJewfolk.com. It’s the start of a new monthly post I’m doing where I take all the interesting Jewish news I find from the past month and add my own (snarky) commentary to it. Yeah, I know; I could be in law school or med school, or somewhere else productive, but instead I’m writing about Kim Kardashian and Swedish Fish and using “gonna” instead of the grammatical “going to.” But nobody’s perfect, alright? Well anyway, if you’re interested here’s the link.

And here’s an excerpt:

“Speaking of peyos-framed faces, I’m gonna make fun of the Ultra-Orthodox now, mainly because they’re not around to see it. At least not the 40,000 Jews that packed Citi Field in New York to listen to their rabbis rant about the evils of the Internet. Yes, along with Avenue Q and Larry Flint, add Ultra-Orthodox Jews to the list of those that believe the Internet is for porn and nothing else.”

Here’s the first paragraph:

You can tell Purim is a real Jewish holiday because the story follows the same script as all Jewish holidays: They tried to kill us. We won. So let’s eat. Only Purim’s a little different because, along with the eating, we’re also told to get soooo drunk that we can’t tell who is our friend and who is our enemy. Long ago, some rabbis—the lame rabbis—said that what God probably meant by that is that we should drink a little more than usual then fall asleep. But I have a feeling that there will be a lot of people at, say, the Uptown VFW tonight who’ll beg to differ.

Find the post here.

Read about him in my new TC Jewfolk post: The Complicated Legacy of Fritz Haber: The Jew Who Saved Germany

ANTIOCH–A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Judas Maccabeus—son of late Jewish dissident Mattathias—for advocating violence against the Empire, and suspicions of leading armed revolts against Seleucid troops.

Read the full post here.