每年美華協會都在其贊助的各種社區活動中都設立一個名為"投票人登記"的項目，目的是為了鼓勵美籍亞裔積極參與當地、本州或國家級的政治活動（例如：參與某項立法或者某位政黨候選人的選舉）。許多時候美籍亞裔視投票為"選擇性"行為，並且對他們周圍的政治不加以特別關注。Every year OCA has a project called "voter registration", which takes place at various community events OCA sponsors. The goal of this project is to encourage Asian Americans to actively participate in political events (for example, voting on a legislative bill or on a political candidate) at local, state, or national levels. Many times most Asian-Americans view voting as an "elective" activity, and do not pay any particular attention to politics around them.
美籍亞裔不關心選舉有很多原因。我們這裏暫且不討論這些原因，因為無論您持任何理由，總是有足夠的例子來反駁。我們先來討論其中的一些例子。我們的目的不在您列舉所有例子，而是幫助您重新考慮一下，為什麼選舉對您的孩子們以及您本人有著重要性。There are many reasons can be enumerated with respect to why Asian Americans are so indifferent to voting. We are not here to discuss those reasons. Because no matter whatever the reasons you may have, there is compelling evidence to indicate otherwise. Let us discuss some of the evidence. Our aim is not to provide you with an inclusive list of evidence, but rather to instill you to re-think why voting matters to your children and yourself.
生活的真相在於政治家們（即選舉選出來的各級官員）掌控著您的生活。您也許很難贊同這一點。無論如何，這是一個自由的國度，您可以做"任何您想做的事"。怎麼可能"政治家們掌控我的生活"？事實上，您可能連往這個方向想一下都覺得不舒服。但是現在請看看下面幾個簡單的例子，然後重新考慮一下：The fact of life is politicians (that is, elected officials at all levels) control your life. You may hardly agree with this fact. After all, this is a free country, and you can do "whatever
you feel like." How can this be that "politicians control my life"? In fact, you may not feel comfortable to even think this way. Now think again and consider the following simple examples:
1. 政治家們決定您為購買或者擁有的物品付多少稅。這包括您所吃的食物、所穿的衣服、或者所住的房宅。這個清單可以一直寫下去。正因為您已經對這一切習以為常，所以您可能不再注意它們了。對於收入有限的美籍亞裔來說，那可以是您的所吃、所穿和所住。如果政治家們願意，他們可以在油價上設一個限制。關鍵不在於他們是否會那樣做。關鍵在於這不在您的掌控之下。Politicians decide how much tax you should pay for items you buy or you own. That may include food you put into you mouth, clothes you wear, or house you live in. The list goes on and on. Since you have practiced this so long, you may not even notice it anymore. For Asian Americans with limited incomes that translate into what you can eat wear, or live. If politicians like, they can put a cap on the gas price. Whether they will do that or not, it is not the point. The point is that you are not in control.
2. 在您所住小區的道路上種植鮮花的是市議會（也許出於好意）。但所用花費卻來自您所付的稅。無論您是否情願，這在您的掌控之外。City council has constructed flowerbeds on the road in your neighborhood (maybe with good intentions). That comes out of your tax dollar money. Whether you like it or not, it is beyond your control.
3. 也許還可以舉些更貼近現實的例子--移民。政治家們決定誰可以來，或者您的親屬何時能來。我們都在生活中多少都經歷過這樣的事。Maybe more personal matter-immigration issue. Politicians decide who can come, or when your relatives can come. At one point in time, we all experienced it.
所有這些事項都已經或可以被政治家們以法律的形式制度化了，這些都在您的掌控之外，無論您是否情願。所以您才會經常聽見"有權力的政治家"這樣的話。為什麼他們有權力？因為他們在掌控。他們決定您的生活。再舉一個關於同性戀婚姻以及人工流產的例子。我們在這裏不做對錯的爭論，但是對於同性戀者或者需要人工流產的女性來說，政治家們的決定掌控他們的選擇，至少深深地影響了他們的生活。All these issues are or can be institutionalized by politicians in the form of law. Whether you like it or not, it is beyond you control. That is why you often hear the phrase "powerful politicians". Why are they powerful? Because they are in control. They decide what your life should be. Another example is gay marriage and abortion.We are not here to debate whether it is right or wrong. But for gay people or women, who need abortion, what politicians decide controls their choices, at least deeply impacts their lives.
我們希望您能夠重審這些在您生活中的日常瑣事，從而發現您個人生活與周圍環境、尤其是與政治事件的聯繫。其中一些可能目前影響不到您，但是以後如何您無法預測。We hope that you can re-examine the daily issues in your life and see theconnections between your personal life and what happens around you, particularly political events, some of which may not impact you right now, but you never know.
現在讓我們回到投票這個話題上來。儘管政治家們擁有權力與控制力，但是他們有一個"致命"的弱點。那就是他們需要您，嚴格說，他們需要您的選票來起決定作用。這是千真萬確的，無論他們是什麼人、涉及到什麼政治事項，甚至可以事關您的孩子所就讀的學校。例如，您來選舉校董成員，校董成員再選舉主管，主管決定您的孩子所就讀學校的文化或者課程。或許您已經可以負擔得起一個好的學校或者一個好的教師，但是您可以做得更多。Now come back to the issue of voting. Although politicians are in control and powerful, they have one "deadly" weakness. That is, they need you, or be more precise, they need your vote to be in charge. This is true regardless who they are or whatever political issues may be such as issues about school your children attend. For example, you vote on school board members, who in turn vote on the superintendent, and who in turn decide the culture or curriculum of the school your children attend. You may pray for a good school or a good teacher. But you can do better than that.
如何做？那就是投票。如果您不選他們，他們甚至連工作都沒有。當您選他們的時候，那意味著是您雇用了他們。How? To Vote. If you don't vote for them, they would not even have a job. When you vote for them, this implies you hire them for the job.
這是您擁有的權力。這權力不在您本身而在於您的投票。如果您不使用投票權，那意味著您不作數，或者殘酷點說，您至少在政治家眼裏無足輕重。這對少數人種來說尤其現實，尤其是對美籍亞裔而言。既然他們的生活不依賴於您，為什麼他們要為您的利益著想呢？That is the power you have. Not you but your vote. When you do not use this voting right, this implies that you do not count, or be cruel, you are nobody, at least in the eyes of politicians. This is particularly true for minorities, and especially so for Asian Americans. Since their life is not dependent on you, why do they care about you?
還不同意嗎？再想一下。布希總統競選時講西班牙語。為什麼？就是因為我們這裏討論的問題。西裔美國人持相當多選票。阿諾·舒華辛力加在加州競選時講西班牙語，而不是中文或者韓語，儘管加州也有許多亞裔。為什麼？因為我們沒有選票、或者至少沒有足夠的選票，來引起他們的同等重視。Not convinced yet? Think again.President Bush spoke Spanish when he campaigned. Why? For the exact same reason we talk about here. Hispanic Americans have a lot of votes. Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke Spanish, not Chinese or Korean, when he campaigned in California, although California has many Asian Americans. Why? Because we are not that important in their eyes since we have no votes, or at least cannot deliver enough votes.
如果一張選票對政治家們不重要的話，一百張就重要了。要知道，取得一百張選票要花去他們約一千美元的選舉費用。如果我們美籍華裔這一群體能在當地、本州、或者全國級別（例如參議員選舉）的選舉交出2,000張選票，不需再多，政治家們就會視我們為他們最好的朋友。想一下最好的朋友可以為我們做什麼，他們可以幫助您改變您所不滿意的事情。If one vote does not matter too much to politicians, then one hundred votes will. Remember that 100 votes is equivalent to about 1000 dollars they may get to spend on their campaign. If we can deliver 2,000 votes as an Asian American group, not a big number, at local, state, or national level (i.e., vote on senators), politicians would consider us as their best friend. Think about what a best friend can do for us. Your best friends would help you to change what you don't like.
所以，美籍亞裔們，請警醒吧，請作主吧。只有當我們作主的時候，您的生活才能像美國所承諾的那樣自由。您為自己投票、為自己的孩子投票、也為在美國更好的生活投票。否則，"美國夢"永遠也只是美夢一場。So Asian Americans, wake up and be in charge. Only when we are in charge, will your life be as free as America promises. You vote for your children and yourself and for a better life in the America. Otherwise it will be just a dream.
Editor Note:
"OCA-STL Column - a monthly column with topics that concerns ourcommunity. We'll also accept any appropriate questions or topics thatyou want us to discuss. They can be forwarded to Eling Lam atcommunications@oca-stl.org" |
