The Truth About Antisemitism

In an era marked by rising divisions and group-based hatreds, the United States must reaffirm its core founding values to preserve the republic envisioned 250 years ago. As a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Oregon, I, Russ McAlmond, pledge zero tolerance for antisemitism.

This stance is not merely political expediency but a direct extension of my deep commitment to Ethical Individualism—a philosophy I have developed and championed as the ethical foundation for human relations in the 21st century.

Ethical Individualism recognizes each person as a unique mosaic of experiences, deserving of respect and equal treatment, rather than judgment based on group identity.America's founding documents enshrine this principle.

The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims that all men are "created equal," endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This equality is not conditional on race, religion, ethnicity, or any collective label; it is inherent to the individual.

Similarly, the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, protecting every citizen's right to practice their faith without fear or discrimination. Jews, as individuals exercising this freedom, are fully entitled to these protections. Antisemitism directly assaults both tenets: it denies equality by demonizing an entire group and violates religious freedom by fostering an environment of hate and intimidation against Jewish individuals.

Antisemitism is, at its core, a form of group hate—collective judgmentalism that lumps diverse individuals into a monolithic category and assigns negative traits or blame indiscriminately. This is the antithesis of Ethical Individualism, which insists that we evaluate and relate to people as unique individuals, not as representatives of a group.

True conservatism in the American tradition aligns with this individualism. Political conservatives, rooted in the ideals of limited government, personal responsibility, and individual liberty, reject collectivism in all its forms.

Collectivist ideologies—whether socialism, nationalism, or identity-based grievances—promote group judgments that erode personal freedom. Anyone who promotes antisemitism, therefore, cannot claim to be a genuine political conservative; their hatred reveals a collectivist mindset incompatible with the individual-centered ethos of conservatism.

Moreover, antisemitism is profoundly immoral. It inflicts harm not only on Jewish individuals but on society as a whole by poisoning human relations with prejudice and division. Immoral ideologies have no place in positions of power in the United States. Those who harbor or promote such hatred will inevitably violate the founding principles established a quarter-millennium ago—principles that have made America a beacon of opportunity and pluralism.

Leaders who tolerate or engage in group hate undermine the very equality and religious liberty that define our nation. They risk eroding the trust and unity necessary for a free society to thrive.

As Oregon's next U.S. Senator, I will champion policies and rhetoric that reinforce Ethical Individualism: combating all forms of group-based discrimination, protecting religious freedoms, and promoting laws that treat every citizen as an equal individual under the law.

Zero tolerance for antisemitism is not optional—it is essential to honoring our founders' vision. By rejecting collective hate and embracing the uniqueness of every person, we can build a stronger, more united Oregon and America for generations to come.