I wondered why the avowed anti-socialist and Greater Israel fanatic would not consider backing the least socialist GOP candidate, Ron Paul. A reader asks:
But isn't Israel a socialist country?
It sure started that way:
Traditionally, the kibbutz was an agricultural settlement founded on Zionist-socialist principles, where everyone worked the land and shared income and possessions. The first collective farm was founded in 1909. Besides initially being a practical venture in group living, the kibbutz played a central role in Zionist settlement of the land before and after the founding of the Jewish state.
But mainstream Israel has rapidly abandoned its socialist roots:
In 20 years, Israel has whiplashed from being essentially a socialist state to a place with one of the world's biggest gaps between rich and poor. That's partly because Israel's poor are getting poorer, but also largely because incomes of the super-rich have soared to new levels, bolstered by tax cuts, deregulation and an influx of Russian entrepreneurs who brought money with them when they immigrated. The number of Israeli billionaires doubled over the last two years to 16 while their combined wealth tripled to $45 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Health care in Israel is universal and participation in a medical insurance plan is compulsory. Health care coverage is administered by a small number of organizations, with funding from the government. All Israeli citizens are entitled to the same Uniform Benefits Package, regardless of which organization they are a member of, and treatment under this package is funded for all citizens regardless of their financial means.
And the top income tax rate in Israel is 48%, compared to 35% in the US and 39.6% under Obama's plan to get rid of the Bush tax cuts. Another reader:
So this guy was at his financial nadir three years ago and is now worth $20 billion? Sounds like he should be on his knees thanking President Obama for keeping the country from going off the deep end in 2009. Socialism my ass.
The Dish 