Israel Salanter, Sam Bennett, and the essence of progressivism

(cross posted from daily Kos)

What do a 19th century rabbi and a 21st century congressional candidate have in common?  They both exemplify the true meaning of progressivism.

Israel Salanter was a 19th century rabbi

Sam Bennett is a woman running for Congress

more below the fold

The other night (at daily Kos), I wrote a diary on Republican representatives in Democratic districts and, while researching it, ran across Sam Bennett who is running for congress in PA-15.  She says, on her site


The Bush Administration seems to have things exactly backwards. Where government should be robust – protecting and caring for its citizens – they have made it weak. Where government should tread lightly, they have made it overbearing.

A long time ago, I wrote a diary  called The 25 best things ever said by anyoneMy number 1 was from [Rabbi Israel Salanter:


Most men worry about their own bellies, and other people’s souls, when we all ought to be worried about our own souls, and other people’s bellies

Aren’t those two quotes perfect?

Sam Bennett’s quote is 35 words.  Do they not sum up what is wrong?

Salanter’s quote is 26 words.  Do they not generalize that concern for the ages?

Are we progressives?

My soul is my business, thank you, and I would like the government not to tell me how to live my life – whom to worship (or how, or when, or if), or whom to love (male or female).  But everyone’s belly is everyone’s business, and, in this 21st century world, the government must help.  We no longer live, most of us, in small villages where everyone knows everyone.  We live in anonymous megalopolises.  

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