Day: October 2, 2019

The Three Political Messes

Jack S Cohen Israel domestic, UK and EU, US politics

I have citizenship in three countries, the UK, where I was born and grew up, the US, where I went to live and work, and Israel, where I chose to retire.  Unfortunately, all three countries are currently in a terrible mess, and all of this stems from the democratic systems they attempt to practice.  It is a toss up which is the worst mess, but here is a very brief analysis of each:

  1. The USA: After 2 years trying to find a way to impeach Pres. Trump over the supposed “Russian collusion” of his 2016 election campaign, the Democrats have now dropped that ball after no collusion was found in the Mueller Report.  They have instead jumped on another supposed case, the transcript of a phone call between the two Presidents Trump and Zelensky of Ukraine.  This was reported to have been the basis for a so-called whistle-blower who complained about Trump’s statements in that call.  But, two problems, the whistle-blower never actually heard the call nor saw the transcript, and in the transcript itself released today Trump said some inappropriate things about Joe Biden and his son’s involvement in shady deals in Ukraine, but there is no quid pro quo, in other words, you do this for me or I (Trump) won’t give you the promised aid.  Is this a basis for impeachment, is this a “high crime or misdemeanor”?  Certainly not!  But, the pressure on Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House to “get” Trump finally became too much, and she caved.  Now the Democrats in the House will launch yet another anti-Trump investigation that will go on for months or years, and get nowhere.  There is no justifiable reason for this continuing witch-hunt.  In any case the votes simply aren’t there in the Senate to support an impeachment, its another politically motivated waste of time and money.  Shouldn’t we be more concerned that Biden, the Democratic front-runner for President, was involved in such shady goings-on in several countries.
  2. The UK: The Supreme Court found unanimously that PM Boris Johnson acted illegally in proroguing Parliament.  But, Parliament is so divided in several ways that there is no majority for any action on Brexit.  The people voted by a majority in the referendum in 2016 to leave the EU.  But, Parliament is impeding the Government in doing its job in trying to carry out Brexit.  I watched the raucous scenes in Parliament when Boris returned to face the mob, some calling for his resignation.  I thought he handled it very well, he was defiant and argued that the country was fed up with the delays, and he would deliver Brexit.  I like the way he taunted the opposition that for two years were calling for an election, but now are not, afraid lest they lose it.  They wouldn’t accept his challenge to bring a vote of no confidence in the Government.  Let Boris be Boris!
  3. Israel: By comparison the stalemate in the electoral process in Israel is relatively boring compared to what is going on the in the US and UK. Unfortunately PM Netanya of Likud and Benny Gantz of Blue & White could not agree on a National Unity Government (NUG), so Pres, Reuben Rivlin have the first chance to form a Government to Netanyahu because he has the most recommendations, 55, compared to Gantz with 54.  But, neither of them can add other parties who have all refused to join them, and yet no-one wants-a third election that would give the same result anyway.  So hopefully, eventually, they will agree to form a NUG, but how remains to be seen.

But, note that authoritarian governments don’t have these problems, they just imprison or murder their opponents.

A Happy New Year, Shana Tovah, to all my readers!