Mother Jones: The Bigger Story Behind Anti-Semitism in Texas

[marmar]

It's been an inspired couple of months for Texas conservatives. Gov. Rick Perry launched his national book tour by asserting his right to secede from Social Security; a state representative introduced a bill demanding that President Obama release his birth certificate; another state rep squatted in the capitol for two days and two nights to introduce immigration reform. Oh, and this photo happened. And now, after a historic landslide at the polls last month, Republican activists have taken aim at one of their own: House speaker Joe Straus. Straus is a moderate. He's also Jewish. Maybe you can see where this is headed.

Here's what John Cook, a member of the State Republican Executive Committee, told the Texas Observer:

"I want to make sure that a person I'm supporting is going to have my values. It's not anything about Jews and whether I think their religion is right or Muslims and whether I think their religion is right...I got into politics to put Christian conservatives into office. They're the people that do the best jobs over all..."

Cook said his opposition was not about Straus' religion, although he prefers Christian candidates.

"They're some of my best friends," he said of Jews, naming two friends of his. "I'm not bigoted at all; I'm not racist."

Cook's something of a loon, as evidenced by his fantastically oblivious "some of my best friends" defense. But all of the cries of anti-Semitism do sort of seem to be glossing over one very obvious thing: Conservative Christian political activists generally think that being a conservative Christian makes you better qualified to hold public office. That's sort of the point. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/12/joe-straus-anti-semitism-texas

[DirkGently]

1. Right. He's not a bigot. He just believes being Jewish disqualifies you from public office.

Edit: This is a sarcastic comment, in case that isn't perfectly clear.

[Yavin4]

2. The Power Elite Made A Pact with Regressives Like Cook In Order To Win Politically

A hallmark of an empire in decline is when the moneyed, power elite form a political pact with the regressive elements of their society. Instead of working with the more progressive elements and forging ahead, the moneyed, power elite finance and support regressives with the aim of protecting their wealth.

By doing this, they ultimately doom their entire nation.