Reaping What We Sow

By EARL COX
It’s springtime in America and Israel and the populace of both lands is fed up. The public feels jaded with government passivity and poor representation. When the government does not act, the courts will…and do…in both lands thus the citizenry is doubly fed up and becoming increasingly angry.
In American politics, the U.S. Congress has allowed the courts to decide important issues with intense moral and ethical implications and ramifications. These issues are far less subjects for legal interpretation. The courts are there to interpret laws. Since Congress is supposed to represent the will of the majority of people, it would be better for Congress, instead of the courts, to decide certain issues as the courts cannot legislate morality. On the home-front, abortion and same-sex marriage come to mind. In other matters which have global consequences, the Congress of the United States is bypassed by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States.
This is especially egregious when the President of the United States flouts his personal philosophies and maneuvers and manipulates his way around Congress and its oversight authority. President Obama is making great use of loopholes to enact his ambitions such as the “deal” he made with the Iranians who are the largest state sponsors of terrorism in the world. The deal allows Iran to continue to supply armament to Hezbollah which, absurd as it sounds, is not prohibited under the deal. In fact, the deal has unshackled Iran so much so that in a few short years they can, and likely will, develop nuclear weaponry. Americans who recognize the danger are horrified and the Israelis are rightfully infuriated.
So is it any wonder that a firebrand such as Donald Trump has actually become a force to be reckoned with as he pursues becoming the next President of the United States? This is clearly the result of a significant number of dissatisfied people which includes Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
There is dissatisfaction among the people of Israel as well but the sentiment seems to change from day to day. Similar to Obama’s predicament within the U. S. Congress, Netanyahu is governing with a shaky coalition and a dissatisfied populace. Today the majority of Israelis seem to be in favor of giving away even more land in exchange for peace but the problem is the “exchange” is only a promise made by the Palestinians which they will not honor as evidenced by the increased violence and terrorism perpetrated against Israel when they unilaterally withdrew from Gaza handing the land over to the Palestinians. In addition, many Israelis today seem to be in favor of a two-state solution. A two-state solution is without a solid foundation because the Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Israeli sentiment on how to achieve peace as well as support for Prime Minister Netanyhu will fluctuate depending on the next round of Palestinian terror attacks.
The Israel people want a solution to achieve a lasting peace but no one is able to articulate a workable formula. While the Prime Minister is doing all he can to deter terrorism and defend his people, he is fighting an uphill battle as the U.N. and other governing bodies become increasingly anti-Semitic condemning Israel at every turn.
Those in the liberal media continually put forth unrealistic “solutions” such as giving up Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians at a cost to Israel of continued Palestinian violence and the loss of strategic territory for Israel’s own national defense. The people of Israel desperately want peace and for that they are willing to make sacrifices and for that they deserve something in return besides increased violence and empty promises. Those who embrace freedom and democracy also embrace honest dealing and negotiating.
It is no wonder that a reported 80% of Israeli people stand behind the IDF soldier who shot an apparently neutralized terrorist to death. The government and military feel differently but they must wear their political face. This single, isolated case can be argued ad infinitum or until a legal decision is made. It is a tough case but it should be the people who decide by their representatives in the Knesset or should it be decided by the courts?
Despite all of the problems, I would rather live in America or Israel than anywhere else in the world. Why? Because where democracy and freedom flourish, there is always hope that the will of the people will prevail. The same cannot be said for countries dominated by Islam where the people have no representation and ruthless Islamic leaders act as judge and jury. Without exception, we reap what we sow.