“A Letter to Jewish Grandparents”

Sari Weintraub — October 26, 2012 – 9:59 am | Election 2012 | Mitt Romney | Social Safety Net Comments (0) Add a comment

In Politico this week, Jewish Council for Education and Research President Mik Moore penned a letter to Jewish grandparents warning about Republican attempts to “divide our generations” in support of GOP policies that would ultimately hurt both grandparents and grandchildren. Moore wrote:

I believe there is a unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. We look out for each other. We have each other’s back.

This year, the Romney/Ryan ticket and much of the Republican Party have been attempting to divide our generations, pitting one against the other.

We saw it in the first presidential debate. Mitt Romney looked into the camera and told voters, ‘neither the president nor I are proposing any changes for any current retirees or near retirees, either to Social Security or Medicare. So if you’re 60 or around 60 or older, you don’t need to listen any further.’

Put aside for a second the veracity of the first part of this statement. The overall implication is disturbing: Older Americans don’t care about policies that affect their children and grandchildren. The Greatest Generation, Romney believes, is actually just out for self…

Our community has long been in the forefront of efforts to expand civil rights, passing laws and creating a culture that welcomes people who are unwelcome in other parts of the world. President Obama has fought for equal pay and women’s reproductive rights. He appointed two highly qualified women to the U.S. Supreme Court, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. He ended laws that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

But you don’t care about any of that, do you? Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seem to believe that you are ready to sell out your kids and grandkids as long as your needs are taken care of.

I think Romney and Ryan are wrong. They and their fellow Republicans are underestimating the bond that exists across the generations, inside our families. Jewish tradition speaks to this obligation, to teach and care for future generations: l’dor v dor. I experience it in my own family. And I saw it in the conversations between schleppers and bubbes four years ago.

In the final weeks of the campaign, let’s get on the phone and talk to our grandparents and grandchildren. And when we vote, let’s remember what’s at stake for everyone in our families.

Read the entire op-ed here.    

Comments

There are no comments for this entry