Ever since I became a citizen of this
country, I have faithfully exercised my rights to vote. Although I
have always identified myself to be an independent, I have found
myself voting for Democratic Party in the national election at least
for the past three elections.
Being an Asian, I have friends who think I must have been mistaken
in voting for Democrats and they argue that it is the Republican
Party that supports Asian Americans as a group. I have had numerous
discussions with these friends trying to identify what leads them to
that conclusion, and I find very little evidence to support the
notion that the Republican Party is good for the Asian population in
the United States.
Given that I have benefited under the Republican
presidency for my own status change from student to permanent
resident to citizen, I have never felt that the Republican Party in
modern time has much concern with my issues as an immigrant. I have
seen the benefits for immigrants drastically reduced under the
Republican Congress and Presidency. Many social benefits used to
apply to all permanent residents have declined to apply only to
citizens. And even among citizens, their benefits have been slashed
over time, all in the name of smaller government and tax cuts. While
reducing the social benefits for the most needed, we have spent the
tax money for the wealthiest corporate and CEOs, at the same time
pumping $10 billions a month into the worthless Iraq war.
In a little over a week we have to choose a president
between two major political Parties. And to me, the choice couldn’t
be clearer.
Obama has made education and universal health issuance his priority,
while McCain wants to continue the investment into the war in Iraq.
While Obama offers tax cuts for 95% of Americans that will largely
benefit middle class families, McCain offers tax cuts for mostly the
wealthiest 5% on the top and leave the rest in the dust. I am proud
of what I do as a State employee and an environmental engineer. But
I have to tell you that I do not see that I will ever be able to
make more than $250,000 annually for a higher tax under Obama’s
plan. I know many people in my circle who don’t make anywhere close
to $250,000 a year. What I do know is that so many of my friends are
struggling to find solutions for their elderly parents’ medical
bills, their children’s college tuition, and their own mortgage
payments and rents.
As an environmental engineer struggling to find
solutions to improve the quality of our air and water in a daily
basis, the global warming and related environmental issues are very
close to my heart. I have studied Obama’s proposal in environmental
issues and it concurs with my personal belief that the economic
growth does not necessarily need to come with a price of environment
devastation. My three year old daughter deserves the earth to be at
its current state, or better yet, to improve over time for her
generation, and her daughter’s generation and her granddaughter’s. I
don’t want this planet to end in our hands while we irresponsibly
seek gold and silver to stack on our bank’s shelves.
Speaking of daughter, I want her to have a great
opportunity for the best education we as a society can provide. We
have all seen the crumbling school system under President George W.
Bush and his failing “Leave No Child Behind” program due to lack of
funding in the system. I am deeply concerned how our next generation
is going to compete in the global economy if we don’t do something
urgently for our children. John McCain wants to continue the George
W. Bush’s policy in education which is very unfortunate.
I have come to know so many people who are still
separated from their families in China. Many people I know of still
travel a long distance to visit their families if they want to see
them. Some can no longer travel due to their old age or health
condition. McCain at one point supported immigration reform which in
part will help family reunification. However, he has since changed
his position when he started running for presidency. Obama continues
to support family reunification which I think is the core of the
American family value.
In knowing all the issues, I have no reservation to vote for Obama
for the presidency of the United States. I cannot speak for who you
should vote and which Party you should support, but I feel as a
fellow Chinese American, I owe that much to tell you what issues I
think are important to our people and why we should not forge toward
one Party over the other based not on issues but on an unjustified
ideology. After all, this might be the most important election of
our time. I urge you to look close to the issues and…VOTE.
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