Stronger at Home, Respected in the World
July 23, 2004
At this year’s Democratic National Convention, we will welcome thousands of people to my hometown: Boston, Mass. to celebrate the diversity and unity that make America strong. John Edwards and I are proud that we will have the most diverse convention in history — nearly forty percent of delegates are minorities. Over these four days, we will celebrate a vision for an America “Stronger at Home, Respected in the World.” We will join together to remember the America of our past, embrace the opportunities of the present and build the foundation of the America of our future.Asian Pacific Americans are a critical part of that vision. You have helped make our country stronger, more prosperous and more diverse but your voice will not be heard if you do not vote. The choice that we all face in this election will have profound consequences for our future and your participation in the political process is necessary to ensure change in this country. We cannot forget the lessons of the 2000 presidential election when out of an estimated 5.4 million eligible APA voters, less than half voted. We must work together to ensure each and every one of our friends and family makes their voice heard.
Despite the many hard-won victories, too many APAs must overcome huge challenges and make great sacrifices to improve their own lives and the lives of your children. You have sacrificed as soldiers and worked tirelessly as entrepreneurs. You have sacrificed for your children and grandchildren and have toiled to live the American Dream. But, for many Americans, the Bush administration has ignored the issues and challenges that face many of our families. Making ends meet has become more difficult, the cost of health care and college education continue to explode and civil rights and civil liberties have taken a back seat to politics and divisive rhetoric. It is about time we changed that.
I am running for president to ensure that APAs have the same opportunities as every American and build a stronger America.
A stronger America means helping entrepreneurs grow their business and be more competitive. As president, I will cut taxes for 99 percent of small businesses and reduce the cost of health care for business owners and their employees. In addition, I will work to improve the small business share of federal contracts.
A stronger America means strengthening the quality of education for all of our children. Over 40 percent of APAs over the age of 25 have a college degree, making this community one of the most educated groups in this country. Unfortunately, with tuition costs rising and average family incomes falling, families are forced to sacrifice too much to send their children to school, if they can afford to send them at all. As president, I will ensure that four years of college is affordable for all, cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans, and will enact programs such as the Dream Act to help all of our children get a college education.
A stronger America means expanding, not limiting, freedom. It is about building, not undermining, rights. In the wake of 9/11 we’ve watched the Bush Administration infringe and even trample upon our civil liberties. As president, I will make sure that American citizens and recent immigrants alike have the chance to realize the promises enshrined in the Constitution. I am committed to comprehensive immigration reform that has family reunification as its cornerstone, and think that long-term residents deserve the opportunity to become citizens.
John Edwards and I have the vision and the values to build a stronger America: Faith, family, opportunity, responsibility and service. These values have been engrained in APAs for centuries. These values bind our country together. If we honor them, if we believe in ourselves and work together, we can build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world.
Senator John Kerry is a candidate for President of the United States.
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