by Amy Wong Mok
Vice President for Membership
February 20, 2008
The 2008 presidential election will prove to be an important chapter in our quest for justice and equality for Asian Americans. The leadership team at 80-20 asked all of the presidential candidates to answer "yes" to six questions that have been formulated to demonstrate their commitment to specific and measurable progress in fair employment and promotion opportunities for all Asian Americans. If a promise is broken, the breach will be measurable for all to see and we shall hold accountable those who break their promise with a longer memory than an elephant and with more tenacity than a donkey.
It has taken a lot of hard work for us to get to this point; we must all keep our eyes on the prize. Our strength is derived from our unity of action. 80-20 has a clear strategy and tested tactics. Our common goal is to secure what is rightfully ours as citizens of our great nation. We could disagree on tactical details but let there be no doubt that we are brothers and sisters fighting for a common dream. Let it be remembered that we are asking to right a wrong that is long overdue. We are not asking for any undue advantage for ourselves at the expense of society. Society will change only when there is both push and pull. The tide of history may push us forward but we must also do the pulling ourselves. That is the basis of our bloc vote.
Numbers mean a lot in politics. The power of Asian Americans delivering a bloc vote has begun to catch the national media's attention; the interview of Dr. S.B. Woo on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 program has put us firmly on the national political map. The more of us speak up, the more compelling our voice will be to the politicians. The larger number of people who participate in 80-20 movement, the stronger Asian Americans will become. Please take one of the following actions NOW:
1. Be a member of 80-20 Initiative if you have not already joined us.
2. Give your family or friends the membership as a gift.
3. Upgrade the level of your membership.
4. Be a life member of 80-20 Initiative if you are already a member.
5. Make a contribution to 80-20 to help us prepare for the general election.
We look forward to swearing in a President who has promised to appoint more qualified Asian American judges to the federal courts and who will enforce Executive Order 11246 to include Asian Americans in the executive promotions. When that day comes, you willknow you have played your part to turn our hope into reality. Please act NOW.
There are 9 types of membership:
1. Basic (1 vote) -- $35
2. Family (Two names to get 2 votes) -- $50
3. Professional (1 vote) -- $75
4. Professional family (2 names to get 2 votes) -- $150
5. Student -- $15
6. Life** -- $1000
7. Family life** (two names to get 2 votes) -- $1,500
8. Honorary Life** -- $5,000
9. Honorary Family Life** (two names to get 2 votes) -- $10,000 ** Membership names on permanent display on 80-20's web site. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/lifemembers.asp
Any US citizen or P.R. can join, using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Treasurer
.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
View CNN's New Video On Asian Americans Here!
To view or review CNN's NEW 2-minute clip on OUR views of why Asian Americans voted 3 to 1 for Hillary on Super Tuesday, click on
http://www.80-20initiative.net/success/media_mainstream_080215cnn.asp.
If clicking on the above URL doesn't work, please cut and paste it to a browser.
Forward this email to your friends and relatives with PRIDE, because YOU helped make this part of history! Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
S. B. Woo
Member, Executive Comm., 80-20 PAC, Inc.
http://www.80-20initiative.net/success/media_mainstream_080215cnn.asp.
If clicking on the above URL doesn't work, please cut and paste it to a browser.
Forward this email to your friends and relatives with PRIDE, because YOU helped make this part of history! Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
S. B. Woo
Member, Executive Comm., 80-20 PAC, Inc.
Friday, February 15, 2008
CNN airs OUR view on AsAm cohesiveness tonight
CNN will air our views on the Asian American political cohesiveness tonight. Please watch.
Thanks to the 2100 doers who signed the petition and took the time to leave 900 comments with CNN expressing our disappointment, CNN has responded positively to our request.
As the petition has requested, CNN will present a more balanced report that will include the rise of political cohesiveness within the Asian American community tonight. It'll be on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, "Race and Gender." The show time for the three different time zones in the US will be:
10pm ET/ 9pm CT/ 7pm PT.
Gary Tuchman who reported in the earlier 2-minute segment that outraged us was very cordial, when he and I interacted. He interviewed me for about 30 minutes. As expected it'll be reduced to about 1 minute or less when aired.
Since the cutting and pasting power rests with CNN, we'll reserve our final judgment until we've seen the program. I believe that the program will devote about 10 minutes to discussing Asian American's 3 to 1 bloc vote for Sen. Clinton, near the end of the 1-hour program.
Congratulations! It is another demonstration of what a politically cohesive Asian American community can achieve. -- get our equal citizenship and be an integral part of America.
It is also a wonderful demonstration of mutual empowerment. You by joining the petition have empowered 80-20 to represent you. 80-20 by its political know-how induced CNN to do a more balanced report which in turn empowers you -- enabling your voice to be heard across the nation.
Let's keep that up. Join 80-20. By joining 80-20, you empower 80-20. With larger financial resources, 80-20 in turn will be in a better position to empower you! 80-20 gratefully acknowledges
Sanghun & Mylinh Song of NY: $2,000, the largest per person donation this year
Leonard & Jenny Cheng of Hong Kong: $1,000
David Choy of Calif.: $1,000
Yin Chan of NJ: $500
Bin Ke of PA: $500
Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Call To Action - A Reminder
Call To Action (If you've not signed the petition.)
On February 8, 2008, CNN aired a 2 minute segment that seemed to insinuate that the overwhelming Asian American support for Sen. Clinton were owing to two major causes -- fearful of a black presidential candidate and/or fearful of change.
80-20 is outraged. It is therefore supporting a petition originated by Mr. Samson Fu. We urge you to visit the site and sign a petition to CNN urging it to
(1) take this video off their website, and
(2) do another segment with balanced reporting and include the rise of Asian American political influence.
Please view the 2 minute segment yourself and SIGN THE PETITION http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wUs_2fa5IkCNYwyhf_2b_2biB9Tw_3d_3d
Within 24 hours, 1250 persons have signed of which 500 provided comments. The resounding success of the petition is proof positive of our community's newly established political cohesiveness -- news for CNN!
I have sent a letter to Anderson Cooper. The names and addresses of the signatories & their comments, in hard copies, have been hand-delivered to CNN. Since CNN has not replied yet, YOU need to keep up the pressure and sign the petition in even large numbers today. Please DO YOUR SHARE.
In many ways, this is a very serious matter. It could cause racial disharmony between the black community and ours. Please sign the petition now! We salute Samson Fu and thank you.
Respectfully yours,
Kathleen To
President, The 80-20 Initiative, Inc.
Another way to protest to CNN
E-mail: 360@CNN.com and public.information@CNN.com
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Call To Action
On February 8, 2008, CNN aired a 2 minute segment that seemed to insinuate that the overwhelming Asian American support for Sen. Clinton were owing to two major causes -- fearful of a black presidential candidate and/or fearful of change.
80-20 is outraged. It is therefore supporting a petition originated by Mr. Samson Fu. We urge you to visit the site and sign a petition to CNN urging it to
(1) take this video off their website, and
(2) do another segment with balanced reporting and include the rise of Asian American political influence.
Please view the 2 minute segment yourself and SIGN THE PETITION http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wUs_2fa5IkCNYwyhf_2b_2biB9Tw_3d_3d
In many ways, this is a very serious matter. It could cause racial disharmony between the black community and ours. Please sign the petition now! We salute Samson Fu and thank you.
Respectfully yours,
Kathleen To
President, The 80-20 Initiative, Inc.
Other ways to protest to CNN
E-mail (Politics): http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?9 Phone: (404) 827-1500
Comment Line: (404) 827-0234
Newsroom Fax: (404) 827-1906
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Wow. A Victorious Bloc Vote in California!
History was made. Last night, in California the political cohesiveness of our community was proven.
Here is what exit polls taken by CNN*, NY Times* and Google* found:
Senator Clinton lost to Obama among whites by a small margin and lost 1 to 4 among black voters. So how could she gain "the decisive California win?" It is because
"Hispanics voted 2 to 1 or 66/33 for her last night, although polls a week ago showed an even stronger 4 to 1 support. However, Asian Americans under the leadership of 80-20 and its affiliates organized and delivered a bloc vote of 3 to 1 or 75/25 to her."
Last night's vote signals the arrival of a new era in Asian American Politics. Let the word go forth that we've learned how to reward political leaders who share our rightful concerns, and punish those who don't.
80-20 wishes to thank in particular our college students and young professionals. While that age group had predominantly supported Sen. Obama for his theme of change and his oratorical skills nationwide, Asian Am. youth responded unselfishly to 80-20's call for unity and voted for Sen. Clinton in California. They showed exceptional willingness to sacrifice self for the good of the entire community. We salute them.
We need to get ready for the next battles. We need to induce the Republican Nominee to reply to our questionnaire with all yeses. We need a great war chest to deliver a national Asian Am. bloc vote to the next president of USA**.
Join 80-20, the best and largest national Asian Am. political organization. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.
- - - - - - - - -
*CNN exit poll: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#val=3DCADEM=0A NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/us/politics/05cnd-calif.html?ref=politics
Google exit poll: http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/clinton-wins-the-big-one-california/2008/02/06/1202233948262.htm
** See article 7 of 80-20's bylaws for a set of written rules regarding endorsement in the General Election. http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/bylaws.asp
Here is what exit polls taken by CNN*, NY Times* and Google* found:
Senator Clinton lost to Obama among whites by a small margin and lost 1 to 4 among black voters. So how could she gain "the decisive California win?" It is because
"Hispanics voted 2 to 1 or 66/33 for her last night, although polls a week ago showed an even stronger 4 to 1 support. However, Asian Americans under the leadership of 80-20 and its affiliates organized and delivered a bloc vote of 3 to 1 or 75/25 to her."
Last night's vote signals the arrival of a new era in Asian American Politics. Let the word go forth that we've learned how to reward political leaders who share our rightful concerns, and punish those who don't.
80-20 wishes to thank in particular our college students and young professionals. While that age group had predominantly supported Sen. Obama for his theme of change and his oratorical skills nationwide, Asian Am. youth responded unselfishly to 80-20's call for unity and voted for Sen. Clinton in California. They showed exceptional willingness to sacrifice self for the good of the entire community. We salute them.
We need to get ready for the next battles. We need to induce the Republican Nominee to reply to our questionnaire with all yeses. We need a great war chest to deliver a national Asian Am. bloc vote to the next president of USA**.
Join 80-20, the best and largest national Asian Am. political organization. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.
- - - - - - - - -
*CNN exit poll: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#val=3DCADEM=0A NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/us/politics/05cnd-calif.html?ref=politics
Google exit poll: http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/clinton-wins-the-big-one-california/2008/02/06/1202233948262.htm
** See article 7 of 80-20's bylaws for a set of written rules regarding endorsement in the General Election. http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/bylaws.asp
Monday, February 04, 2008
Advice On Who To Vote For Tomorrow
Summary of our recommendations
For Democrats and Independents: In California, do a bloc vote for Sen. Clinton; push for as big a turnout of AsAm voters as possible! In all other states, vote your personal choice.
For Republicans: Not a single Republican presidential candidate has replied to 80-20's questionnaire thus far. We have no recommendation.
Why should you take 80-20's recommendations seriously?
80-20 fights for you & produces results. Let's review the facts:
11/29, 80-20 began to pressure Sen. Clinton with a "Call to Action."
12/11, Sen. Clinton replied with all yeses, while suggesting rightful modifications.
12/12, Sen. Edwards signed with all yeses.
12/31, Governor Richardson signed with all yeses.
12/28, 80-20 began to pressure Sen. Obama with a "Call To Action -- Defeat Obama."
1/18, 80-20 held a press conference in SF endorsing Sen. Clinton for the Calif. Democratic primary.
1/31, Sen. Obama replied with all yeses, while suggesting modifications to strengthen his commitment to the Asian Am. community.
The above are facts that you personally witnessed!
What Does 80-20 aim to achieve?
80-20 aims to make YOU THE WINNER tomorrow, whether Clinton or Obama wins; McCain or Romney wins. If you vote according to what 80-20 has advised, exit polls will show that
Asian Americans cast a bloc vote in California for Clinton stronger than that of the Hispanics, while showing no strong preference elsewhere among Democrats or Republicans. Headlines will blare:
"SIT UP AND NOTICE. Asian Ams. showed amazing political cohesiveness on Super Tuesday. Both political parties MUST take their rightful concerns seriously from now on!"
THEREFORE, spread the word. Forward this to your friends & relatives! Help send this message to ALL Asian American voters.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Reaction To "Good News From Obama"
Congratulatory messages flooded in. See below. We thank you.
Will you consider turning your appreciation of 80-20 into action? Join 80-20, renew your membership or donate. 80-20 will have a BIG battle to fight in the General Election in November. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.
Reader's Reaction
1) Thanks for the political science education. Gary Tang
2) Congratulations on the great news! Yuko
3) Great news!... This is a great achievement and a symbol of the power of the Asian Americans united!... Let's get the Republican side now.
Daming Zhu and Liang Lin
4) Thanks for everything you have done for raising the voice of Asian Americans…. With Admiration and Respect, Shitao Huo
5) EXCELLENT! Cwadudley
6) Great job done. You should be crowned the Saint for Asian American. Now I have to work to undoing my works in pursuing people voting for Clinton.
[Answer: I don't know where you live. Please note that we still endorse Sen. Clinton in CA. Please re-read Parag. 2 of our newsletter: "80-20 considers the commitment from Senator Obama to Asian American issues to be at least as strong as the commitment from Senator Clinton, Senator Edwards, and Governor Richardson. Henceforth, with the exception of California, 80-20 is neutral in the primary contests between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama." ]
7) Very short Message from some of our Life Members:
a) What can I do to help? Henry Lee
b) Great achievement, finally! Carter Tseng
c) It is great! I will send you another check of $1,000 in the next few days. Anonymous
8) … I am beginning to see the value and strength of your email campaign and will do my best to encourage other Asian Americans to add their names (and emails) to your list. Armand P. Chau
[Answer: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record: In America, we must do politics the American way.]
9) By George! You did it! You did it! And you did it! I didn't think you could do it! You did it! And you did it! Congratulations! Good show!
10) Salute, brother: do you want us to donate money to 80-20 or to candidate you endorse? shaw zhou
[Answer: Before Sen. Obama replied with all yeses, 80-20 had bundled checks for Sen. Clinton and spent $30,000 buying ads for her in newspapers and radio stations. Now, we need to get ready for the BIG general election battle. Send your money to 80-20! :-) ]
11) Winning supporters one by one. Here are two examples.
A) The Obama party's altering of the questions to their comfort and context seems like a skirting of the true issue. Colin Takara
[Answer: Top priority" plus "whenever" and without the time limit of "your first term." Isn't that combination at least as stronger as "seek to nominate... during your first term?" Besides, We still endorse Sen. Clinton in the Dem. primary in CA. SB]
Colin Takara emailed again: Yes, I will concede that point.
B) "Exception of California" meaning 80-20 still supports Clinton in CA or what? Ken Zhou
[Answer: Yes, we still urge Asian Americans to support Sen. Clinton in CA. We already endorsed Sen. Clinton. If we take an endorsement back, who will believe in 80-20's endorsement in the future? SB]
Ken emailed again: You are absolutely right. Thanks for the explanation. I didn't think it through. Congratulations for the great job you have done for all Asian Americans. Ken
[I Answered again: Aren't you nice, Ken. S.B.]
12) Messages from die-hard supporters of Clinton and Obama:
a) the YESES are too late. Gary Zhang
b) You could still do a dual California endorsement now…. Subodh
[Answer to both: Please give the interests of our community a bit more weight, and your own preference of candidates a bit less. We need to keep our eyes on the ball -- winning equal opportunity for the 13 million Asian Americans through the 2008 presidential election. Is that a deal? :-) ]
14) i appreciate the work of 80-20 greatly and this is certainly the best political effort any asian am has put together, for which i throw whole heartedly my support to and my ultimate respect for the pioneers…..
David Liu
80-20 sincerely thanks David Liu and at least 30 others who wrote very sincerely and moving "thank you emails" which we don't have the space to publicize. Our apologies and THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Will you consider turning your appreciation of 80-20 into action? Join 80-20, renew your membership or donate. 80-20 will have a BIG battle to fight in the General Election in November. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.
Reader's Reaction
1) Thanks for the political science education. Gary Tang
2) Congratulations on the great news! Yuko
3) Great news!... This is a great achievement and a symbol of the power of the Asian Americans united!... Let's get the Republican side now.
Daming Zhu and Liang Lin
4) Thanks for everything you have done for raising the voice of Asian Americans…. With Admiration and Respect, Shitao Huo
5) EXCELLENT! Cwadudley
6) Great job done. You should be crowned the Saint for Asian American. Now I have to work to undoing my works in pursuing people voting for Clinton.
[Answer: I don't know where you live. Please note that we still endorse Sen. Clinton in CA. Please re-read Parag. 2 of our newsletter: "80-20 considers the commitment from Senator Obama to Asian American issues to be at least as strong as the commitment from Senator Clinton, Senator Edwards, and Governor Richardson. Henceforth, with the exception of California, 80-20 is neutral in the primary contests between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama." ]
7) Very short Message from some of our Life Members:
a) What can I do to help? Henry Lee
b) Great achievement, finally! Carter Tseng
c) It is great! I will send you another check of $1,000 in the next few days. Anonymous
8) … I am beginning to see the value and strength of your email campaign and will do my best to encourage other Asian Americans to add their names (and emails) to your list. Armand P. Chau
[Answer: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record: In America, we must do politics the American way.]
9) By George! You did it! You did it! And you did it! I didn't think you could do it! You did it! And you did it! Congratulations! Good show!
10) Salute, brother: do you want us to donate money to 80-20 or to candidate you endorse? shaw zhou
[Answer: Before Sen. Obama replied with all yeses, 80-20 had bundled checks for Sen. Clinton and spent $30,000 buying ads for her in newspapers and radio stations. Now, we need to get ready for the BIG general election battle. Send your money to 80-20! :-) ]
11) Winning supporters one by one. Here are two examples.
A) The Obama party's altering of the questions to their comfort and context seems like a skirting of the true issue. Colin Takara
[Answer: Top priority" plus "whenever" and without the time limit of "your first term." Isn't that combination at least as stronger as "seek to nominate... during your first term?" Besides, We still endorse Sen. Clinton in the Dem. primary in CA. SB]
Colin Takara emailed again: Yes, I will concede that point.
B) "Exception of California" meaning 80-20 still supports Clinton in CA or what? Ken Zhou
[Answer: Yes, we still urge Asian Americans to support Sen. Clinton in CA. We already endorsed Sen. Clinton. If we take an endorsement back, who will believe in 80-20's endorsement in the future? SB]
Ken emailed again: You are absolutely right. Thanks for the explanation. I didn't think it through. Congratulations for the great job you have done for all Asian Americans. Ken
[I Answered again: Aren't you nice, Ken. S.B.]
12) Messages from die-hard supporters of Clinton and Obama:
a) the YESES are too late. Gary Zhang
b) You could still do a dual California endorsement now…. Subodh
[Answer to both: Please give the interests of our community a bit more weight, and your own preference of candidates a bit less. We need to keep our eyes on the ball -- winning equal opportunity for the 13 million Asian Americans through the 2008 presidential election. Is that a deal? :-) ]
14) i appreciate the work of 80-20 greatly and this is certainly the best political effort any asian am has put together, for which i throw whole heartedly my support to and my ultimate respect for the pioneers…..
David Liu
80-20 sincerely thanks David Liu and at least 30 others who wrote very sincerely and moving "thank you emails" which we don't have the space to publicize. Our apologies and THANK YOU. THANK YOU.