Doveline Press

Since the Iran War started, there have been even more horrific acts of violence occurring both in Gaza and the West Bank, with innocent Palestinians suffering the consequences. Imagine a Palestinian family at a funeral being killed via Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) drones? This was reported in a recent Mid East Monitor news piece. Why? Since the Iran war started there has been an increase in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. In fact, the Knesset has pushed legislation to offer tax benefits for such settlements. Netanyahu has repeatedly indicated there will be no two state solution. By the latest actions of taking more land from Palestinians in the West Bank and making conditions unbearable in Gaza, it is clear that the zeal for peace does not exist. The expansion of settlements has triggered several European countries to prohibit settlers from importing products in connection with such settlements. Those Jewish groups who stand up against these injustices deserve rightly praise for understanding that these types of actions are wrong. The major electronic media doesn’t report all of these newsworthy events to ensure the public sees these developments that disparage the dignity of human beings. The poll numbers in support of Israel are declining from traditional support that existed over the years. It has the Zionist regime in Israel worried so the government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the technology area to deal with these concerns by controlling algorithms, and computer/AI generated narratives on these developments so that their staunched false narratives continue. In other words, further investing in public relations through technology to protect their perspectives and not the true unfolding of unfathomable events and conditions on the ground.Let all people of good will join together to recognize that the rights of man come not from the political state but from the Creator. Let us work together to rebuild and secure a more harmonious and peaceful world as the Creator has called us to do so. Let The Golden Rule from the Sermon on the Mount ring out loudly for all people and nations to do the right thing: “Treat every human being the way you would want to be treated.” (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”)

Deborah Smarth

Instead of the congressional members’ newsletters they send to constituents and proposing legislation that costs more dollars to benefit only segments of society, these politicians should start rallying support to ensure that the middle class are taxed less; and anyone 65+ who makes interest on funds/savings held in a bank, that the extra returns from interest should not be considered as part of “gross income” on annual IRS tax returns, oftentimes pushing income received from social security AND pension income to a higher level –which then requires seniors to pay more in taxes to the federal government but also doubles the Medicare deduction in one’s social security check.Introducing and passing legislation to prevent the latter scenario would go a long way at helping “affordability” for those in retirement. If any income interest is earned on savings in a bank, it should not go towards or be added to annual income if it is less than $175,000 in value. I have run this idea by my accountant and he said it is a good suggestion but doubts that the “politicians” who serve in Congress will act on such an idea.Start focusing on “commonsense” solutions instead of these side issues the politicians talk about in their constituent newsletters and on the ‘stump’ which amount to absolutely nothing! Start being bold in solving REAL PROBLEMS; stop taxing at the rate the middle class and seniors have to endure; stop spending our tax dollars on make believe initiatives that amount to absolutely “nothing.” The American public including New Jerseyans are tired of the politics in petty, unworthy initiatives for political news and sound-bytes; start solving “REAL” problems!

Deborah Smarth