Trump Wins EMMY

In my memory, the only comparably surprising election was the 1977 Israeli election in which a militant leader Menachem Begin became Prime Minister. The perennial Labor leadership fell to a peculiar alliance of money, religion and ethnic grudge. Kipahs and Kova! (beanies and helmets) was a popular saying.

Begin turned out well. He visited Egypt and signed a peace treaty and, though he cared little about economics, managed a dramatic transition in financial policy (floating currency, lesser tariffs, VAT imposed) that underwrites much of Israel’s economic achievement. He did give the settlements a boost and there was some stuff in Lebanon. He attained nationwide respect, even from opposition politicians.

Donald Trump is no Menachem Begin. But maybe he isn’t totally Eddy Haskell. Or maybe Ivanka will be in charge. Either way, we have our ticket to the circus!