[etni] Re: Voting in US elections

From: "Jane Berman" <janeber@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Voting in US elections

I have not voted in an American election since making aliya almost forty
years ago. My considerations are ethical ones.

In my opinion, electing public officials should be the privelege of citizens
who have willingly bound their lives and fate to a particular nation. While
my memories, mindset, values, language and entire family are rooted in the
United States, I made the choice to engage in the Israeli experience,
including marriage, children, grandchildren, friends, and generations of
high school students.

The president of the United States is obligated to protect the interests of
his country. The attempt on the part of some American-Israelis to extend
that obligation to an oblique protection of Israel is well-meaning, I'm
sure, but a bit cynical as well. I'm reminded of election time in Israel
when planeloads of ex-Israelis are flown in to vote here.

Yes, I've never been as excited about an American election as I am about
this one. Nor will I take the opportunity to explain to my pupils the
potentially historic moment that this election may lead to.
When they ask me,"Are you going to vote in the American elections?" I
explain to the kids that our duty and yes...joy...involves being vigorously
involved citizens in our own country, wherever that may be.

Chag Sameah,
Jane Berman



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