a certain cultural-ethnic group vote so overwhelmingly for one party. But from an individual perspective, each likely votes for values.

I'm a naturalized Asian-Am (A-A), (and with a birth certificate outside of the US to show for ), and always voted for Democrat based on values.

Just to share with other non-Asian DUers:

There is a huge, huge cultural-linguistic-ethnic background variation within the tiny 3% A-A. The cultural variation is as diverse as the American European Caucasians (Anglo-Saxon, Irish-Am, Italian, German, Scandinavian, Polish, Slavic, Mediterranean,...). The cultural and linguistic background is far more relevant than racial. East Asians & Southeast Asians share Sinica civilization background (like Europeans sharing Greco-Roman background) and South Asians & Southeast Asians share India and Islamic civilization background.

Race is likely the least discriminant factor among this population group. (Least discriminant means least relevance in their studies). To say that Japanese Am and Chinese Am are racially similar and hence may have similar political value is the same as saying the Polish, German, and Slavic are racially similar and hence must have the same politico-cultural behavior.

If Asian-Americans vote overwhelmingly for one party, such as Democrat, it's because their cultural background and individual values likely match the values of the Democratic party. Of course there is some "community" factor, such as Asian political group 80-20 that tries to leverage the power of block-voting. But individual choice is still a powerful factor.

I didn't vote for Republican not because of their racism. In fact, I'm proud of the US as the least racist country in the world. It is much worse in other countries and societies. Racism never bothers me. There are racists in every group of people. It is not an indictment of an entire group of people just because a percentage of them is so.

I vote for Democrat because of my liberalism philosophy, period. No amount of racial token will change that. Some Indian colleagues I know are disgusted at Bobby Jindal and his idiocy. They would never vote for him even he is "one of them."

I recommend us Democrats to go for fundamental human values. Respect each individual's philosophy and values. Don't have a "racial" strategy like Republican. The fact that they consider a racial strategy just shows how ignorant they are.

We create values that appeal to all people, it has nothing to do with race.

My post was just a general comment on the demographic aspects of the election, and I didn't mean to imply that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders voted because of their racial background, nor that they are in any way a monolithic block (how could you possibly be?). However, I am an African-American, and I see things a little differently, having had a different experience in this country. I don't think I need to go through the list of why my vision of America is different from yours, when it comes to racism. Nevertheless, African-Americans also have the same goals and values, want the same things, as you do, and as your cultural brethern do. The difference is that vocal members of the Republican party consistently imply that we DON'T share those goals and values - I don't think I need to go through THAT list, either. Hence, until they have a less negative and dismissive view of African-Americans as a whole, they will never get more than 15% of our voting community.

Having said all that, I, also, cannot possibly speak for all African-Americans - nor women, since I'm also a member of that group - nor do I believe I ever could.

I CAN, however, confidently speak for almost all members of this board and almost all Democrats in saying that I'm DAMN happy President Obama won, and in doing so, garnished 73% of the Asian-American vote!

I think the GOP's economic and social policies are insane, but even if they were reasonable in those aspects, I would never ever vote for such a racist party that yearns for the days when White people (men, in particular) ran everything and minorities were relegated to the background as a "happy to be there" supporting cast.

I think that the Democratic Party and its activists need to recognize that the values of the party are very attractive to minority groups even those that do well economically - take for example Indian Americans and Jewish Americans. 75% of Indian Americans and 69% of Jewish Americans voted Democrat in 2012.

The previous reply to the thread was eloquently impressive in its explanation.

It should be noted however, that fiscal conservatism has its attractions to certain sections of the Asian Community. Even on some social issues, I am not sure if as a "community" some are entirely in sync with some issues.

That is not to say they are going to switch sides.

What it means is that inspite of a certain sympathy with fiscal policies, they looked at the two parties and resoundingly rejected a exclusivist (white, Christian and frankly insane) Republican party and opted for an inclusive but above all rational Democratic party.

That being said, it would be noted that the Conservative Parties in both Canada and the UK have made major inroads into their minority groups by not just articulating a more inclusive vision but by actually following through and embracing it.

The Republican party is going to try to make use of Jindal and Hayley and Rubio to do the same.

Many would think that many Asian Americans would be a good target demographic for the GOP - many are small business owners, fiscally conservative, and family oriented. Many do very well financially, being among the top earners in the US. Asian Americans used to be split, and some groups used to vote more heavily republican, just like Cuban Americans. Much of this was due to the Cold War and the perception that the republicans were more anti-communist. But the new generation is much more liberal, especially socially and have rejected the politics of division and hate.

I believe though that the same qualities of success (just like among American Jews) are what has turned Asian Americans, as well as most non-middle aged/older white males away from the republican party. Asian Americans know who leads the GOP. It's Rush Limbaugh and the delusional Fox News echo chamber crowd. Asian Americans highly value education especially in math and the sciences. The GOP is the party of Todd Akin and Richard Mourdoch. A large part of the republican party rejects evolution and denies global warming.

Ultimately, Asian Americans also understand that while free enterprise has great benefits for those who work hard, it isn't perfect, it can leave many behind - and that everyone in life faces hardships at times. Especially when it comes to health care, I think Asian Americans understand that blind ideological worship is foolish and that only the government has the resources and power to do something to ensure adequate health care isn't just a privilege or a luxury. Small business owners aren't necessarily millionaires either so the constant talking points about job creators is also falling on deaf ears.

Asians are the highest income racial group and they abhor high taxes. But what they abhor most is race baiting, and all it takes is a few GOP candidates running campaigns like the one against Stabenow (with the girl in the coolie hat) to remind them which party despises them.

also elected Mazie Hirono and Tulsi Gabbard as our new Senator from Hawai'i and one of our Congresswomen.. from Kaua'i, respectively. They bring Diversion to our Senate..Mazie's a Buddhist and Tulsi is a Hindu.



Tulsi Gabbard, Mazie Hirono Break Congressional Barriers for Non-Christians

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tulsi-gabbard-mazie-hirono-break-congressional-barriers-christians/story?id=17674782

Awesome!

Great team we have....

We vote in large numbers, but our votes are mixed with the state totals. There won't be an accurate number of how many people voted for a month or two.

73% is wonderful and i thank you all myself as well. we are all so diversified, so different, but the same in so many ways. FORWARD!

Last edited Mon Nov 12, 2012, 09:33 PM - Edit history (1)

You guys and gals saw that Romney was a bullshitter like President Obama did too, huh?

Last edited Mon Nov 12, 2012, 06:57 PM - Edit history (1)

I agree with all that has been said.

As more Indian-Americans and other Asian-Americans become politically active, they will follow in the steps of Mazie Hirono and Tulsi Gabbard in realizing that the Democratic Party is the only one which will embrace religious diversity.

It is interesting that 51% of Indian-Americans identified themselves as Hindu and only 18% as Christian, yet the darlings of the Republican party - Jindal and Hayley are converts who scorn their heritage (it does not stop them seeking funds from their community though).

It would stand the Republicans in good stead to abandon their racist and religiously bigoted positions so that the debate can be ideological.

I would add a major caveat for the Democratic party though - there have been occasions where tensions between minority ethnic groups have been exacerbated by a lack of communication and understanding. There is a possibility that unless work is done to improve understanding, the other side may seek to exploit these differences for their own agenda.

To add something: Look at this survey and we can see the diversity and complexity of the Asian American community.

http://www.pewforum.org/Asian-Americans-A-Mosaic-of-Faiths-overview.aspx

...really comprehensive. I've bookmarked that for future reference.

And I agree with you about nourishing the communication ties between ethnic groups. The more exposure we have to each other, the more barriers are broken down. My boss, who worked for one of the Obama offices here, is also African-American, and related a story to me today about how a group of Asian GOTV women flew in from California to help out in Cuyahoga county this past weekend for the last push. She talked about how much she enjoyed meeting and talking to them and working with them. The more we learn about each other, the stronger the bonds will be.

To carry on that point about communication ties, I recall Jindal's speech in 2009 to Pres. Obama's address to Congress.

It was terrible and frankly substandard. However, the reaction from a few Liberals went over the top - mocking talk about outsourcing and call centres and mocking Indian accents.

Whether a Conservative does it or a Liberal, that kind of behaviour must be condemned.

Criticize a person's ideas and ideologies but it is unacceptable to mock his religion or his racial background.

We are better than that.

Is there any study that breaks down the Asian and Pacific Islander community vote by ethnicity so we can see who voted Democrat and who didn't ?

One concern that I have is that we could fall into the trap of seeing this as a monolithic entity and not examine the various communities in depth.

Oh and for what its worth - Shubh Diwali to everyone here !

Happy Diwali from me too!

Here in Texas... I am one of the very few Asians -- and there's several diverse types here including Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Phillipinos, Japanese, etc... -- that's liberal. What's worse is that these Asians are the type to plaster their cars with Right Wing propaganda. They even run for office as Republicans! It kills me. It's been already pointed out that they tend to vomit pro-business, anti-commie stuff... but a lot of the younger Asians are converted Catholics and Baptists and will vote on religious, anti-abortion matters. Also, the typical Asian sense of community gets trampled out of you in this state. I have seen relatives who lived nice, humble decent lives in their home country come over to Texas and go bat sh*t crazy about making money. They get high paying high level jobs and it's all about money. And it seems like it's never enough. There's a lot of keeping up with the Changs, the Nguyens, etc.They forget real quick about their humble origins. I have never forgotten. When I came here 25 years ago, we had to be on welfare for two months and it was instrumental in our survival. I have never forgotten that and will never deny that to others, no matter how successful I or my kids become. The only hope I hang onto is these Asians always aspire their kids to go to Ivy League schools and the such. Exposure to blue states can be a cure

... hang in there! Every election cycle, there seem to be anecdotal reports of Texas getting just a little bit bluer. I've been to TX twice, both times to Austin - if only all of TX were like Austin. But maybe one day...!

It's just the huge suburbs of these cities that are raging red... The thing is that the better public schools tend to be in the suburbs so Asians flock there. They take advantage of the wonderful free public education and then before you know it they take on the mentality of the Repugnants living there. Which is ridiculous especially when these republicans go on and on about charter schools and how public education should end.

What really gets me is that a lot of people and kids here think it's okay to say racist things about other races to Asians as if we're not gonna mind.

But I must say that I got 7 Asians to vote for Obama... I personally drove and escorted three of them to the voting booth! Ha! It's hard but progress is being made.

One heart and one vote at a time (or in your case, three)!

... and how you have never forgotten it and would never deny it to others really touched me. Maybe because so many people on the right must surely have accepted a helping hand from the government (or others) at least once in their lives but as long as they're okay now they seem to be happy to deny help to anybody else in equally dire straits--certainly not all of them would do that, probably not even most of them, just the more vocal ones on message boards and the ones who show up in their Medicare-subsidized wheelchairs at Tea Party rallies.

Welcome to DU!

I can't believe it took me so long to find this place! I love you guys!

I have a brother in law who is a crazy redneck whose current wife is on disability and whose child is on Medicaid. He also has never paid a dime in child support for his own children. Yet, he goes on and on about the evil government and does not see the hypocrisy of it all. You can't argue with stupid. Basically, the guy's a racist, no matter how clever he thinks he's hiding it. He thinks it's all blacks and hispanics that are using 'his' taxes, taxes he rarely ever pays mind you. When Obama was elected, he about went into a seizure.

But enough about that dimwit.... what has always made America great to me has been it's capacity to take care of people... Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. I mean the Marshall Plan saved Europe. This is the America everyone loves and what makes it great.

I heard somewhere that 9 out of 10 red states are the biggest users of these "entitlement programs" they bitch and moan about. As my husband likes to say, "there's a willful ignorance here that you just can't fight."

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