October 16, 2008
NJ Jewish News is asking Jewish community leaders what issues they would like to hear the candidates address and what questions they want to have answered in a presidential debate. For previous installments in the “What’s at Stake” series, see www.njjewishnews.com/whatsatstake.
“What’s at Stake” will be a regular feature between now and Election Day.
Dr. Gilbert N. Kahn, professor of political science at Kean University in Union:
America has lost confidence in its leadership. Without in any way denying the exceedingly serious American and world economic situations, at the end of the day it will be confidence in our leaders that will reduce our fears, eliminate panic, and lead the nation back to stability. In fact, this election is coming down to that very question: Which candidate will inspire confidence at home and abroad so that Americans will believe that the economy truly can be turned around?
Americans are genuinely afraid. They see homes being foreclosed (if not theirs, then their neighbors’). They see banks turning down small-business requests for loans (even if such firms have a strong credit history). They see banks and large, venerable institutions crumbling (even if they have no personal attachment to them). They see Asia taking away business (even though it is all part of the intertwined global economy). They see their retirement nest eggs disintegrating (even though many of them may be years from retirement). And they see stock market gyrations that can make them believe only that Wall Street has become just another casino.
Economic crisis calls for a leader who can inspire a sense that the right man is in charge.
Historians have written extensively concerning how the United States came out of the Great Depression. Many have pointed out that President Franklin Roosevelt did not so much accomplish any magical turnaround for the economy — for it actually took years for the economic system to change and right itself — but rather he instilled a sense of confidence. In reality, life became much more challenging for most Americans during the early months of Roosevelt’s first term, but people believed that there was someone in the White House who could guide them through their dire economic crisis.
Proof of FDR’s political success was his overwhelming and unprecedented landslide reelection victory in 1936.
Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama will assume the mantel of leadership until Jan. 20, 2009, but, beginning on Nov. 5 — the day after the election — either one must begin to restore Americans’ confidence. It is this question of confidence and trust on which American voters appear to be focused as they approach Nov. 4.
Yet to find a candidate who instills confidence, Americans will have to wade through one of the sleaziest and slimiest campaign finales that has been seen in America at least since the Bush-Dukakis election of 1988. This type of public attack will not instill any type of public confidence in the voting public as they beg for new leadership; it will only besmirch the process. For Jews who already are being blamed by some fringe elements for precipitating or manipulating the economic crisis, a strong, confident hand on the tiller can’t come soon enough.
Merle Kalishman of Livingston, chair of the Community Relations Committee of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ:
To the candidates:
- How will we restore the United States to a credible world stature?
- What must be done to safeguard the survival of the middle class?
- What plans can be put into place to ensure health care for those who need it?
- Do we have the resources and clout to fund the discovery of cures to the many diseases facing our population?
- How will we meet the need for alternate fuel sources?
- Can we maintain diplomatic communications without undermining our country’s strength?
- Will the necessary effort to secure a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian impasse be put forth?
- Will there be an understanding that global warming is a problem and that finding solutions to the problem must be actively pursued?
- Will there be a comprehensive immigration policy, solving the problem of undocumented immigrants and implementing a workable, equitable, and enforceable policy?
- How will you confront the issue of poverty and execute viable solutions?
- How will assistance be provided to states, local governments, and authorities to improve and maintain our infrastructure?
- How will you find a way to strengthen our armed services?
- How will you keep our National Guard at home to be available when domestic problems occur.
- Can you ensure a Congress that is able to work cooperatively to enact measures for the improvement of our country and its citizens?
- What measures will you take to alleviate the threat of terrorism that has gripped so many of our citizens?
- Can we as a nation afford not to return to the necessary regulation of certain industries?
- THE ECONOMY!
- Keep each life in your mind and heart and work to ensure that we erase suffering, hunger, fear, and persecution.
Robert Weisbuch, president, Drew University, Madison:
I’d like the next president to take a hard look at how we’re educating our youth. Failure in the classroom has such a far-reaching impact on society and the future of our country.
The current emphasis is on standardized testing, and it hasn’t been working. This is especially so in economically deprived neighborhoods, where it is not violence that you find in the typical school building but a depressing boredom. The testing fanatics deepen the depression.
Force-feeding children, in imitation of captive cattle, is less successful than setting out a delicious meal for them.
I would like to see our next president put forth a new and creative approach, one that diminishes the tests (because they are nasty and vindictive, because they mislead, because they are not human, but mostly, because they distract effort from where it is efficacious and life-giving). In their place, I’d like to see a policy that emphasizes inspiration over memorization. How can we dazzle children, from preschool on, by the academic disciplines?
We require from our next president a policy that begins with the assumption that curiosity is a native aspect of being human and reshapes our education priorities accordingly.
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