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(Total message: 12)
Comment/feedback # 11
| We absolutely need to fit into the system and play according to the rules in the country which we reside. This is separate from (1) our heritage, (2) our value system, and (3) our identity. There is no two views, if you know there are two systems, and you know which system you are talking about. This is nothing about which system is better. The talking about two views is oversimplified and biased, and underestimate the readers' intellegence, but I suppose it serve to rouse readers' interest. For commenting on #11 |
Comment/feedback # 10
| i think the email makes salient points on the responsibility of government to the people and as regards the conclusion. it occurs to me, however, the american view is depicted from an asian view in the email. this way of explaining things is no doubt a necessary bridge in many ways. at the same time, it disturbs me as an american, albeit one of asian ethnicity. i'm reminded of difficulties the hispanic community has faced by flying the mexican flag in marches (not to mention celebrating c ... more ... |
Comment/feedback # 9
| This is the first time I read such material from your 80-20 Forum. It's very interesting and helpful. As a retired Chinese professor, I am spending one semester in a year in China teaching some business course for a graudate school. I believe my students will be interested in the differences between East and West. Such information can be very enlightening. By the way, "The Coming China Wars" by Peter Navarro is published recently in the anti-China chorus. I wonder if there is somewhere in ... more ... |
Comment/feedback # 12
(A feedback on # 9
)
| Hi. Please feel free to forward our newsletter to anyones you wish. Your local newspaper is always a good start for a comment on "The Coming China War." If you write a letter to the editor and give your local address in US, the editor is quite likely to accept it, unless it is a newspaper like the New York Times which receives hundreds of letter per day from well-known Americans. The website of the publisher of this book may also welcome comments on that book. Thanks for your comments. SB ... more ... |
Comment/feedback # 8
| Wow, you are so bitter and cynical! "When it comes to politics, do as Americans do"--in other words, buy into the system you criticize. But not all Americans put self interest above national interest. A more enlightened view is to realize that in many cases putting national (and global) interests first benefits each individual. For commenting on #8 |
Comment/feedback # 6
| To Americans, spammers are among the lowest of the low. To Americans, people who respect spammers are among the dumbest of the dumb. Mass mailing to all of us who have NOT EXPLICITLY CONSENTED TO RECEIVE 80-20's mail is spam, regardless of any "opt-out" link. Spam is spam whether it's pushing porn or pushing some wannabe political player. For commenting on #6 |
Comment/feedback # 7
(A feedback on # 6
)
| He's right. If you want to be a legitimate political force, develop your organization legitimately. For commenting on #7 |
Comment/feedback # 5
| SB, I think you're onto something very true about the position of Asian-Americans in American politics and society with this email. The one part that you imply but don't directly address is that Asians are often taught not to publicly complain about politics. Protest is often discouraged in Asian countries, while in America, it's hard for a small group to get what it wants without some kind of protest. Nonetheless, I think it's inaccurate to sum up the entire "American" view of politics as en ... more ... |
Comment/feedback # 2
| Do as the Americans do in politics --- if you are a voter in the U.S. James Uy For commenting on #2 |
Comment/feedback # 4
(A feedback on # 2
)
| Dear James: Thanks for your comment. Please allow me a minor addition. Even people holding Green Cards, though not permitted to vote, should also "do as Americans do" because they can donate to American political candidates and causes. SB For commenting on #4 |
Comment/feedback # 1
| S.B. You hit it in the head, but I doubt many of the Asian would buy it based on my personal experience with them. Some of them still go the wrong way. Your message is strong and precise, but is the message heard only by the population who already agree with it? I hope you and we can continue to accumulate the opinion leaders in our community to propagate the message. Thank you for your difficult work that we greatly needed. Gary Tang For commenting on #1 |
Comment/feedback # 3
(A feedback on # 1
)
| Dear Gary: You are so right that we need to spread the message. 80-20 sends each of these newsletters to about 700,000 Asian Americans. Only a small fraction of the recipients will read, absorb and benefit from each of our messages, however. To change the political culture of our community will take time. If you and other 80-20 supporters will pass these newsletters to your/their friends and relatives, it'll help greatly. You are a great supporter of 80-20. Let me use this occasion ... more ... |
... end ...
Do you hold an Asian or American view regarding politics?
Take 4 easy quizzes.
1) What a presidential election is about:
Asian View: To vote for the best candidate according to national
interest, although what national interest is could vary widely
according to individuals.
Am. View: To maximize one's own self interest or
enlightened self
interest.
2) Standard for judging if Affirmative Action (AA) is good/bad?
Asian View: The standard is whether AA serves the national interest,
although what national interest is may vary widely from "need to
correct historic wrongs" to "meritocracy is supreme."
Am View: what is best for one's own self interest or
enlightened self
interest.
Digression
Question: If the above representation of the American view
regarding politics is correct, how could the US survive if most
Americans are for their self interest, enlightened or otherwise?
Answer: America applies the principle of market economy to politics.
That is, let every individual/group/community maximize his/her/its own
interest. The struggle between different interests will create the
"checks and balances" which shall serve as the "invisible hand" guiding
the conflicting interests towards the the best interest of the nation.
Question: Is there evidence that American politics is centered upon
"self interest comes first"?
Evidence: When obsolete military bases are to be closed to eliminate
waste, every senator/congressman will state: "Obsolete military bases
should be closed, but not the ones in my state/district, because they are
still serving vital functions." Why? Because in American politics, one is
expected to take care of self-interest first.
Question: Any evidence that educated Americans hold the same belief?
Evidence: President John Adams said, "It is not true, in fact, that any
people ever existed who love the public better than themselves."
President
John F. Kennedy referring to the heroes in his book "Profiles in Courage"
wrote, "not because they 'loved the public better than themselves.'
(but) because they did love themselves -- because each one's need to
maintain his own respect for himself was more important to him than (a
list of other needs)."
3) View towards a political action committee e.g. 80-20 PAC:
Asian View: 80-20 seems politically effective in fighting for the rightful
concerns of the Asian
Amercian community, but 80-20's
approach to politics is so
different from the politics practiced in Asia.
Am. View: How can a small minority of recent immigrants like the Asian
Am community not have at least one organization like 80-20?
How else is the smallest immigrant minority to defend its rights
in the rough and tumble world of politics?
4) Attitude towards High Officials:
Asian View: High officials are like parents to whom we should respect &
devote. Many Asians subconsciously expect high officials to whom
they've donated generously to "take care" of them when they are
in real need. They expect the officials (acting as parents) to come
to their aid (suffering as children in need). Is such an expectation
realistic? Not in America!
Am View: Officials, high or low in ranking, are public servants
who are subject to reward or punishment by American citizens
who are the bosses. They expect law to be
applied equally.
Concluson: While being proud of our Asian heritage, when it come to politics,
do as Americans do.
For feedback, visit
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp
Warmest regards,
S.B. Woo
President, 80-20 Educational Foundation, Inc.
