The New Political Landscape

We vote a lot around here. The last time was the fourth time in seven years ('96, '99, '01, and '03). It seems so long ago now. At the end of 2004, we'd gone a full calendar year without voting or dissolving the government.

But even so, I'm actually - well, not inspired, exactly. More like... interested. The whole political landscape changed in an the blink of an eye, and everything seems new again.

We're finally out of the Netanyahu-Barak era and way past the Peres era. (What would happen if Peres ran for office unopposed? Would he still have to lose?) Netanyahu could hang with the Likud, but I'd doubt it. I think we'll see a spirited race for the Likud leadership. They don't know if they should go right left or center.

Of course, Sharon is probably the best politician I've ever seen. He's completely squeezed the Likud out of the running. Unless the Likud finds a proper response, they're going to lose votes to Sharon and the right wing parties. They are going to be left with nothing. I wonder if the two party system is in trouble.

I also wonder if anyone remembers that Amir Peretz won just three seats in the last election. And he's trying to impose the same policies on the Labor party. I don't really understand why there is so much excitement about him. Personally, I don't think it/s him at all. I think they're happy to have anyone who didn't help get the party into its current position.

My fearless prediction: No Histadrut strikes until after the election.