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All I really ever needed to know, I learned as an Asian American
growing up in the communities not too far from Lake Erie. I grew up in
Parma and North Royalton, went to high school in Cleveland, and my
parents now live in Strongsville. (During football season I still root
for the Browns, Steelers, and Bengals, in that order). I was taught
values such as hard work, respect for others, the importance of
community, and the power of hope. I also learned what it felt like to
be a minority growing up in America, and the challenges that we all
face on a daily basis.That is why I believe Asian Americans should
support Senator Barack Obama for President.
Senator Obama would be a better President than
any other candidate for our nation, especially for the Asian American
community. After enduring seven years of one of the most divisive
Presidents in U.S. history—with one of the worst foreign policies in
our history—the next President should be someone who can unify this
nation and not further divide us, and someone who can inspire us all
to reach higher. I believe Senator Obama is that person.
Senator Obama is also the only candidate who has consistently
opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), an Agreement
that has significantly hurt the economies of both Ohio and
Pennsylvania. If elected President, Senator Obama would reform our
trade policies so that they no longer devastate communities in
Pennsylvania and Ohio, communities where I grew up and where my
parents still live.
Senator Obama’s approach to governance is also
fundamentally different than any other candidate. Senator Obama makes
a concerted effort to reach out to independents and moderate
Republicans. The Asian American community, in contrast to other
minority communities, has significantly more registered independents
and moderate Republicans. To truly get bold initiatives accomplished,
what we need is a working majority that gets people to work together,
not further partisanship.
The promise of our nation will only be realized when,
in the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., people are judged
on the content of their character and not the color of their skin. The
fact that Senator Obama has an excellent chance of being the first
minority in the White House is already a giant leap forward for
America. When the ocean of tolerance rises, all boats rise with it.
I also firmly believe Senator Obama will have one of
the most inclusive administrations in history. As a veteran in the
United States Air Force, my last active duty assignment was in
California, which is where I currently live. Now as an elected state
representative and Chair of the Asian American Legislative Caucus in
the state legislature, I have strongly advocated for appointing more
minority candidates to judicial and political positions. I believe
Senator Obama would make far more minority appointments if elected
President than anyone else currently running because he, of all
people, understands what it means to not be white in America.
I believe America can, and must, change. I ask you to join me in
supporting Senator Obama by voting for him on March 4th.
Ted W. Lieu
California State Assemblymember
Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
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