In my old age

Apparently, one is supposed to move towards Conservatism as one moves along in years, yet I find the exact opposite happening to me. As a staunch conservative on most issues, my own feelings on the March Israeli elections have made me question my own position on issues I have not really contemplated before.....poverty, hunger, social imjustice and Israeli domestic policies. It seems to me at least, that as I matured and became of the world around me, the conservative views on military, foreign policy and international politics defined my political opinion. It disturbs me to say that I cannot hold true to those views anymore. Weird, no?

We find ourselves in a world juxtaposed from the one we inhabited only 5 years ago. As the Western world have moved closer to the Right, ie Merkel beating Shroeder in Germany, Blair losing his huge parliamentary majority and Chirac's loss of control in France. All signs that, internationally, Conservatism is spreading with a gusto unseen since colonial times. Yet, I feel that in Israel's case, it is time to address the social problems plaguing our country.....and now, in a time of "relative" calm and security, what better time to tackle these problems?

USA supports Israel. The EU has thawed their view on Israel. Even the UN seems to be waking up from their dream of being an effective and representative world body, and is almost (so close...yet so far away still) able to address the anti-Israel rhetoric that has plagued their halls since the Zionism is racism resolution (repealed later).

Getting back to the Israeli political forum, I am actually leaning towards supporting Sharon's new party.....probably named "Kadimah", hebrew which means "moving forward". And I think it's high time we do, indeed, move forward. But not in peace negotiations or anything like that. While I do not need convincing of the importance of a strong military and skilled foreign diplomats, I believe the Israeli voters have certain expectations of the next government, no matter who leads it. They expect that the mood of peace and the feeling of security continues. I agree. yet, that should not mean that Israelis should continue to live in hunger and poverty. If anything, how can we expect to make peace with our neighbours if we can't even take care of our own people? Once we do take care of all Israelis needs, the rest of the International community can feel proud to stand with and behind the lone Jewish State in the world. I know I would.