Let's see.  No public financing of elections.  Elected officials need BIG $$ for advertising for reelection because Americans are ignorant and would buy sacks of dog shit if it's marketed properly. So all lobbyists pour tons of money into politicians pockets be they Repubs or Dems.  They all want to keep their jobs at all costs.  Is it different where you are?

In the end, might makes right. Nothing has changed since the caveman.

I am no expert, but I think that it is established that American Jews, even those who are liberal in other political aspects, are hawkish when it comes to Israel, even further and of higher percentage than Israelis.

Further, I think that we would find that congress people who are of Jewish persuasion, even those who are on the far left of the American dial, have failed to stand up on this issue [turns out that there is already an acronym for it - PEP Rep; Progressive Except on Palestine]...and who knows where they stand on it, or if they could survive if they did stand up for a sane Israeli policy.

It is the perfect issue for pretend liberals though (like Dianne Feinstein and Adam Schiff), who can use it as a "we democrats are tough on defense" issue and a jobs issue - "We must help them defend against Hamas' rockets; send them more F-18s."

From 30 minutes of internet research for this post this morning, I submit that there is no hope for someone in the American Congress standing up on this issue. And without a terrific debate on the issue, I don't know if your statement Helen of "but the democrats are surely well enough informed to recognise the contradictions involved" is true.

Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.

Frank Delaney ~ Ireland