Hi - I enjoy your podcast. And, I am in complete agreement that the noxious behavior of the Trumpians and the OrthoLeft is pretty awful. However.... I do not believe this is the major threat of the Middle "holding" in America. The problem stems from the current behavior of Americans appearing in numerous ways:
Endemic violence where everyone is a potential victim (street crime, white collar crime, gang crime, etc. etc. etc.);
In spite of improvements in auto design, a continued rise in deaths due to drivers who are distracted, overly aggressive, influenced by substances and a total disregard for others (The death rate of Americans by automobiles is three times as high as in Europe and Israel);
Millions of adult Americans opting out of employment to live off of: inheritances (big, middle or small), government programs, nonprofit agencies and family support (ex-spouses, parents, kids, etc...). This has all lead to chronic shortage of workers in all sectors of the economy. The number of working age, well educated people I know who are unemployed or underemployed is quite shocking.;
A greater number of Americans dying of drug use then ever in our recorded history;
An ever burgeoning homeless population (due in large part to drug abuse, unwillingness to work, mental illness and prior incarceration);
A high percentage (no pun intended) of obese Americans. This contributes to increasing amount of spending on health care services and reduced life expectancy. One would have hoped that perhaps we just traded food for drugs/alcohol/tobacco. Nope. These problems are still entirely intertwined in our society.
Candidly, I will put up with some foaming in the mouth political extremists any day, if we could reduce these worsening societal problems.
In reference to the growing Haredi community in Israel, this is not simply a matter of different political decisions (e.g., legal abortions, driving on Saturdays). The Haredi community in Israel has to a large extent opted out of attaining a minimal secular education. Precisely, who is going to design the next generation of cyber security software, medical advancements and Iron Dome improvements?
Who among the non-Haredi are going to stick around In Israel to pay exorbitant tax rates so men can study and daven and women can raise several children? Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have already left the nation. And, while they may talk incessantly about there love and support for the country, the bottom line is they left for what they saw as greener pastures.
Explain to me how this emigration won't skyrocket once taxes are continuously raised to help people who have a nominal education? And, who do not want to serve in the military? Perhaps some of that snobbery Yael alludes to is understandable?
Israel won't survive if its economy is at the level of a third-world country. How will it defend itself against its neighboring enemies if many of its best and brightest leave? While we can always point fingers at societies who do not like Jews, there are also countries that welcome us too, and where Jews moved to in an effort to lead their best lives. This is the existential challenge where 25% of school aged children (and growing quickly) are ultra orthodox.
You guys rock!
Love the show, love the banter and the Zionism.
I thought you’d like to know you have listeners in Israel in general and in the IDF in particular.
Maybe once the show spins up, you would consider recording a live one here. Looking forward to it.
Sincerely yours, Gennady - LtCol, IDF
Everybody here in Kentucky thinks you two are the best! Well, ok, just my wife and I. Great episode as usual.
Hi - I enjoy your podcast. And, I am in complete agreement that the noxious behavior of the Trumpians and the OrthoLeft is pretty awful. However.... I do not believe this is the major threat of the Middle "holding" in America. The problem stems from the current behavior of Americans appearing in numerous ways:
Endemic violence where everyone is a potential victim (street crime, white collar crime, gang crime, etc. etc. etc.);
In spite of improvements in auto design, a continued rise in deaths due to drivers who are distracted, overly aggressive, influenced by substances and a total disregard for others (The death rate of Americans by automobiles is three times as high as in Europe and Israel);
Millions of adult Americans opting out of employment to live off of: inheritances (big, middle or small), government programs, nonprofit agencies and family support (ex-spouses, parents, kids, etc...). This has all lead to chronic shortage of workers in all sectors of the economy. The number of working age, well educated people I know who are unemployed or underemployed is quite shocking.;
A greater number of Americans dying of drug use then ever in our recorded history;
An ever burgeoning homeless population (due in large part to drug abuse, unwillingness to work, mental illness and prior incarceration);
A high percentage (no pun intended) of obese Americans. This contributes to increasing amount of spending on health care services and reduced life expectancy. One would have hoped that perhaps we just traded food for drugs/alcohol/tobacco. Nope. These problems are still entirely intertwined in our society.
Candidly, I will put up with some foaming in the mouth political extremists any day, if we could reduce these worsening societal problems.
In reference to the growing Haredi community in Israel, this is not simply a matter of different political decisions (e.g., legal abortions, driving on Saturdays). The Haredi community in Israel has to a large extent opted out of attaining a minimal secular education. Precisely, who is going to design the next generation of cyber security software, medical advancements and Iron Dome improvements?
Who among the non-Haredi are going to stick around In Israel to pay exorbitant tax rates so men can study and daven and women can raise several children? Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have already left the nation. And, while they may talk incessantly about there love and support for the country, the bottom line is they left for what they saw as greener pastures.
Explain to me how this emigration won't skyrocket once taxes are continuously raised to help people who have a nominal education? And, who do not want to serve in the military? Perhaps some of that snobbery Yael alludes to is understandable?
Israel won't survive if its economy is at the level of a third-world country. How will it defend itself against its neighboring enemies if many of its best and brightest leave? While we can always point fingers at societies who do not like Jews, there are also countries that welcome us too, and where Jews moved to in an effort to lead their best lives. This is the existential challenge where 25% of school aged children (and growing quickly) are ultra orthodox.
Yay Eli! I was hoping he’d be a guest soon. Eli, if you’re reading this, do not be nervous. I am harmless.
I hadn’t thought about Brooklyn Jews knowing trump in his real estate days! He was pretty slimey back then though 🥴
I’ve learned to let the BDS people talk. They tend to show themselves for who they are. We’re doing them a favor if we ban them.
Another fun episode! And listen to Eli’s podcast!