My letter in The New York Times about new leadership for House Democrats

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote about House Democrats and the need for new leadership, which appeared in The New York Times:

July 15, 2018

To the Editor:

Re “Restless Factions Place Leaders on Notice as Congress Returns” (front page, July 9):

House Democrats are facing a watershed moment, and they need new leadership at the helm that can steady the ship and bring it back on course.

As they wrestle with an identity crisis and intraparty friction, House Democrats need fresh faces at the top who can infuse their caucus with energy and a sense of unity and optimism. Resolving the burgeoning conflict between the progressives and moderates in the House will require leaders with a new attitude and a novel approach.

The seismic primary upset that a young political novice in New York scored over a powerful incumbent who was touted as a possible speaker of the House is just the latest wake-up call for House Democrats. In an era when the conventional political playbook has been turned on its head, House Democrats need to try something different and move away from a timeworn model that has essentially become obsolete.

N. AARON TROODLER

BALA CYNWYD, PA.

The Forthcoming U.S. Peace Plan for Israel and the Palestinians

As the quality of life for Palestinians and Gazans continues deteriorating, Mahmoud Abbas has a moral and social obligation to his citizens to consider the United States’ forthcoming peace plan.

Jared Kushner is correct in challenging Abbas and questioning his commitment to peace, in light of his historic reluctance to make any concessions in order to achieve regional stability. What Abbas must recognize is that peace will not be handed to him on a silver platter. Like any negotiation, it will require a meeting of the minds and a degree of compromise among each of the principals before an agreement can be attained.

Instead of automatically discounting the American proposal, Abbas should contemplate how it could help the Palestinians get back on their feet. If there is an economic stimulus component incorporated into the U.S. plan, it would be a dereliction of duty for Abbas not to study it. It is time for Abbas to let go of the past, look towards the future, and finally focus on the people, not politics.