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.
