“Oh, Bullwinkle, that stereotype never works!"
We can safely say that the stereotype built around Jews, that Jews are greedy and will place money above the well-being of others is a work of fiction and anti-Semitism. It has its origin in the actions of the Catholic Church, prohibiting “usury. It is amplified by the lack of education that was all too common in Europe during the Dark Ages and the medieval years. It became a useful tool for oppressive governments and religious orders and, sadly, exists in that form even in these “enlightened” days. Within the last century, these hateful stereotypes have spawned countless pogroms and industrialized genocide.
We know that the business abilities of Jews, honed in international trade and banking in days when most people could neither read nor write, when Church and civil controls banned Jews from practicing most trades and skills; are not genetic. They are not handed down at conception.
We’ve worked at defeating such stereotypes for centuries. Unfortunately, the old myths die hard if they die at all. Centuries of philanthropy, numerous medical, scientific, literary, social, legal, educational contributions to the people of this planet have made this world a better place for all its citizens. Still, the myths retain their old power. We know that they are only myths, that no such people exist.
Along comes Little Eric Cantor of Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
Little Eric would hold the nation hostage over economic policy while structuring his portfolio to profit from economic disruption and downturn. He knows that millions are being harmed by his actions and he still proceeds to use his political power to gut the nation’s economy, bringing him a new fortune.
Little Eric is now willing to allow millions of Americans to suffer the loss of electricity, the availability of food and safe water, repair of homes and infrastructure, while he tries to prevent the nation funding their recovery.
Little Eric is, quite frankly, a stereotype playing out, a caricature depicted by the exception. He is an embarrassment. Along with Bernard Madoff, he makes me wish that there might be a disavowal mechanism that would kick in when the exceptions to the stereotype surface and do their worst.
It should be noted that Little Eric is the only member of the House of Representatives who is both Jewish and Republican. The Jewish traditions of Tzedakah (charity to others) and community tend to steer Jews away from the GOP and teavangelists, who are all too willing to discard their fellow humans in exchange for money and power.
When Jonas Salk found a working vaccine to prevent Polio, he thought of its benefit to millions who would no longer be affected by a horrid disease. He didn’t hold it in reserve until he could milk it for personal fortune. If it had been Little Eric who discovered a working vaccine, we might still be warehousing those infected in iron lungs. Political power, financial profit, any mechanism that he believes makes him able to control the lives of others will do just fine. . Little Eric is all too willing to profit from the misery of others.
I find that Eric Cantor should be ejected from his religious congregation, as was Richard Nixon. I will speak out against his actions that reinforce the ugly myths about Jews. There is sufficient evil in the world without accepting that inflicted by those who were taught better.
“Whoops! Wrong hat!”
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