Conventional wisdom suggests that a change in the public perception of Israel could cause the government, the Administration and Congress, to rethink their longstanding economic and political support of Israel. That population group includes about twenty seven million veterans who served in the Armed forces of our country during wartime. About 50 percent of eligible veterans hold membership in one or more of the major U.S. veterans' organizations. The veterans' lobby has shown itself to be a very effective movement in America. The creation of a Cabinet post demonstrates this and affords to the veteran a voice in the Administration.
Patriotism properly ranks very highly on the value scale of a vast majority of our fellow citizens.
It is a proven fact that American veterans' organizations have a singularly successful record with respect to their ability to promote causes adopted for implementation successfully. The U.S. Congress, the Administration, and the public, listen to and value the opinion of these unique men and women who served our nation in the time of war and vote in our elections. Crisscross this country. Visit any city or town, large or small. Not so long ago, when it appeared that our government was going to refuse to sell desperately needed F-16 fighter aircraft to Israel.