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Edited on Fri Oct-21-05 05:13 PM by Ally McLesbian
Tell them that Harry Truman, who saved South Korea from the commies, was a Democrat.
Tell them that LBJ, who tried to save South Vietnam, was a Democrat.
Tell them that Al Gore got into trouble because he was too friendly with Taiwan, not mainland China.
If neither point works, there is a more serious dynamic going on. Maybe the person is a tax evader who underreports his/her income so that he/she could afford a Lexus (in cash-based Asian-American businesses, this is a common tactic). Maybe it's the megachurches - virtually all Koreans, and many Chinese, attend these megachurches where they are fed Republican talking points. These megachurches, as chambers of commerce, community centers, and matchmaking services, are extremely influential in their respective communities.
It also doesn't help that Asians often see themselves as being equivalent to whites, being "model minority" and pretty much "immune" from the poverty of the black and Latino communities. And by extension, they see the Democrats as catering to "welfare queen" black and Latino concerns, not "hardworking" Asian concerns. (I know better, but the misconception is very widespread among Asians, especially newer arrivals like the Koreans and the Vietnamese.)
I'll add one more thing - even before Reagan made his anti-communist stand, the fascist dictatorships in South Korea and South Vietnam were making these stands for their people, who have now moved to the US. They taught their subjects to unconditionally thank the US (especially the Republicans, who are seen as pro-military and pro-war) for their benevolent defense of, and aid to, their countries. Any criticism of the US, especially the Republicans, was considered sympathizing with the communists, and could lead to severe punishment. Remember that Ronnie Reagan's first foreign guest, within days of his inauguration, was none other than South Korea's military dictator president, who needed Reagan to legitimize his successful coup d'etat (and Reagan certainly did).
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