Our good friend, George Koo published this opinion piece in Asian Times explaining why he is disgruntled with the status of our country.
I admire his courage in making such an honest and bold statement at a time when Anti-Asian/Chinese Hate seems to be at its zenith. George explained how proud he was when he first immigrated into the US as an 11 year old following his father who was attending graduate school in Seattle. George studied and worked hard and achieved academic and professional successes at many levels. He was living the American dream and he began to get active in the American political process by volunteering and supporting local and national politicians.
As he became more active, he began to notice the ugliness of “raw” politics where money and power seem to drive everything. “Our two major political parties battle for control of the federal government and Congress. They devote virtually all of their energy and attention to outmaneuvering the other side just to gain an edge. Getting re-elected and retaining their seats in Congress have highest priority unless it’s to unseat someone from the other party. Pettiness reigns and national interest is rarely on the table.”
“Our roads and bridges are dilapidated, college and university tuition has been rising beyond most household budgets, women are denied the right to decide what’s good for their health, and schoolchildren are regularly slaughtered in mass shootings. These are just a few indicators of what’s wrong with America.” In particular, I agree with his statement that “one sure-fire way to political success is to demonize China and attack China as our adversary, an easy adversary accepted by both parties. In the process, every ethnic Asian in America becomes a prospective target of hate crime.”
All Americans, regardless of color, race, ethnicity, creed, sex and sexual orientation should heed George’s words that our country seems to be politically and morally bankrupt.
We have the choice to be acquiesced, give up, emigrate to another country, or redouble our efforts to make America the country of choice for all its citizens and future immigrants.
The road is treacherous, the hill is steep and success is not guaranteed. The choice is yours!