A New Plan for America: The Jewish Stake in Saving this Nation

“Brokenism” is the new political mantra of American politics.

“The most vital debate in America today is between those who believe there is something fundamentally broken in America, and that it’s an emergency, and those who do not.”

Globalism, human rights, and individualism are among the discredited elements of this contemporary political order. In response to this phenomenon of “broken” politics, the current administration has emerged with a gameplan for reinventing not only the American political story but also our national identity.

Employing a fundamentally new playbook and constructing a strategy designed to overwhelm and disrupt the traditional rhythm and style of governing, the Second Trump Presidency has introduced a radically different model of politics. This political agenda did not simply appear but rather represents the collective efforts of numerous think tanks, political ideologues and politicians, and party leaders in crafting a national conservative identity, tied to a popularist president.

In response, many of this President’s opponents appear to be paralyzed, unable to effectively respond, allowing this administration the space to reframe American society.

What we are currently encountering is an effort to return America to the Gilded Age. In the latter half of the 19^th Century, we would see politicians largely cater to business interests in exchange for political support and favors. In response, Classical Republicanism as a political movement committed to limiting greed and corruption. The preservation of liberty rested on the ability of the people to maintain effective checks on those with power. In the last analysis, the vigilance and moral stamina of the people were seen as core to preserving the democracy.

In this nation’s history, during crisis moments, political parties reinvent themselves. This iteration of Trump Republicanism represents such a political party revolution. In the absence of a Democratic Party response, there has emerged a significant political vacuum, leaving us with only a disjointed, unorganized response to what is politically unfolding in this nation.

Currently, there exists no coherent, organized counter point to Donald Trump’s political formula. In this vacuum, some worry that we are witnessing the end of democracy as we had come to appreciate and embrace it.

The Jewish Response:

 American exceptionalism holds the belief that this nation has been distinctive, exemplary when compared with other nations. For America’s Jews, both this country’s political values and its historical development have afforded our community a unique opportunity to flourish. In this moment, however, some are beginning to question our place and status within this society. As the elements of this democracy come undone, what might this mean for Jewish Americans?

Many leaders appear to have adopted a code of silence in this political moment, America’s Jewish liberals and their institutions have taken on a new form of political correctness. In this state of silence, we appear to be denying what we have taken away from our Jewish historical journey. While we are encountering, authoritarian behaviors, our collective and individual silence is striking and unbecoming of a people who have experienced the pain of oppression and witnessed the results of extremism.

 In a post liberal age, where do Jews find their political voice? In this moment, the American political right has rejected liberalism, while the political left has all but destroyed and transformed the tenets of liberal practice. The strategy invoked by the Progressives appeals to a segment of disenfranchised Democrats, while such a movement remains unappealing to many mainstream Jewish voters.

In this vacuum, along with political partners, American Jews will need to rethink the future of this democracy. We will need to reign in the excesses and failures of this brand of national conservatism and publicly critique the Trumpian view of America. Further, we must reject post-modernist, progressive politics as a failed and dangerous alternative.

In turn, we must embark on building a new political model that reaffirms the essential and specific values that define our nation. In moving to build a different political outcome, we will need to identify what are the essential elements required for making government both credible and responsive.

The intent here is to frame a set of values upon which responsible Americans from differing political perspectives can find common ground. It will be important, at the outset, to reaffirm those democratic principles that best define and advance our society. Among them:

• Reject authoritarianism.
• Protect freedom of speech, assembly, and press
• Affirm the dignity of the individual and human rights.
• Stipulate the value and character of church-state separation.
• Reestablish the separation of powers.

The rebuilding of our democracy will take time, and it will require an intention to engage with those with whom we disagree. The political road ahead is unchartered, and not without its challenges. If we have any hope in restoring American democracy, this must be seen as a collective initiative that brings together disenfranchised Republicans and concerned Democrats and independents in a common and committed effort. Political ideas and movements take time and will require the next generation to help shape the ideas and formulas for success.

Various options and initiatives that might be considered: these should be among them:

• We must develop a campaign for civics education, acknowledging that every American ought to have a rich understanding of how democracy works and why it is essential that they become engaged in the work of the public square.
• We should seek the return of town halls, where citizens of differing political beliefs are encouraged to engage in civil conversation, community problem solving, and civic action.
• We should encourage the creation of a national service program that would create opportunities for young Americans to experience the opportunity to help build and strengthen our nation. Such a service model builds shared connections and mutual experiences that bring our citizens together in common purpose.

What we have learned from this past decade, and more dramatically within these past several months is the fragility of our democracy and the importance of having a knowledgeable and engaged public in the tasks of governance. How extremism can subvert and change the character and content of our society in short order.

History will be our judge as we embark on this experiment in saving the American democratic story. The building blocks for this next iteration of American democracy will be dependent on the millions of Americans who today are frightened, angered and uncertain about the state of this nation.