Asian Group Supports Gore

* Re “Asian Group Backs Gore for President,” Aug. 28:

I am very insulted by the 80-20 Initiative’s explicitly stated goal of delivering 80% of Asian Americans’ votes and financial contributions to the Democrats. This is another example of special-interest groups claiming to represent a segment of the population and thus reinforcing the stereotypes of that population.

It is also a tool for the perpetuation of a selfish agenda that doesn’t serve the best interests of the whole American citizenry. For instance, since Asian Americans have higher educational achievements than most other “races” overall, should they be indifferent toward the plight of lower-income Americans trapped in failing schools? Should they automatically be against affirmative action policies for college admissions, since they tend to be hurt by the quota system?

I want the political system to treat me as an individual whose vote is up for grabs and whose voting choice is in the best interest of the nation and its citizens. The minute any segment of the population surrenders its electoral independence, its votes and interests will be taken for granted by one party and ignored by the other.

GEORGE HUANG

Pasadena

*

* Among the presidential candidates, Al Gore definitely is the most friendly to the People’s Republic of China and deserves support from prominent Chinese Americans. However, please don’t call backing from the 80-20 Initiative a pan-Asian American endorsement. Many of us disapprove of China’s military threats toward its neighbors and do not believe that cuddling with the bully is the way to modify its behavior.

HUNGYI SHAU

Cerritos