New Jew

I find myself embracing Jewishness completely: spiritually, theologically, economically, intellectually, politically. I now fully comprehend the importance of the Jewish work ethic. Yet, like most sane Jews, I still see a role for government in civic life: it must feed, clothe and educate the sick, the disadvantaged, the oppressed minorities, etc.… It must help people find a way to work and compete, if they can indeed work.

The private sector doesn’t care about people with special needs and churches and synagogues cannot accommodate the countless needy people here and abroad.

Maybe I went too far being a Marxist, but some sort of safety net is necessary to make sure that the cold, cruel and often corrupt capitalist world doesn’t overwhelm everyone and everything.

The Jewish way is to acknowledge the importance of both the private and public sectors, both secular and religious education. The Jewish way is sensible and fair. Amen.

Long Live Democracy

We are now at war-in a war of all against all and President Trump is a symptom of that war. The insults, the bullying, the domination of one class over another—none of this can continue or the nation and world will be destroyed. We must practice mutual understanding, compromise, democratic decision-making. We must respect the rights and concerns of minorities. We must argue with mutual respect, reason and compassion.

I’ve been an angry man since graduating from college way back in 1986,but I must cut it out already and show respect for my fellow man. There is no socialism without love and respect, no society without love and respect, that’s what the Social Contract requires.

Long live democracy and the things required to maintain it!

Serving

I have to applaud the many demonstrators who showed up on Capitol Hill to protest the GOP’s so-called tax reform bill. Getting arrested isn’t for me-at least not at this point in my life-but I have to give credit to people who are still willing to do this. Perhaps their protests will lead to a political turnaround on this bill and in the nation’s politics, in general.

As for me, I have to work on finding work in the government sector, joining a temple, continuing my work at Fountain House and generally serving the public good in a more quiet and subtle way. You don’t have to get arrested to help your fellow man: you just need to be prepared to help people wherever and whenever they need it.

So here’s to the betterment of mankind!

Craig R. Bayer, 11/28/17