80-20 has empowered the Asian Am. community in two ways. One was
to empower us with equal opportunity to rise to our maximal potentials *.
The other is to empower our community's spirit. Of the two, the
second is paramount. Here is how.

   Times were that our community considered elected officials as our
parents -- a feudal tradition in Asia. We respected and feared them. We were
often subservient to them.

   Six years ago, a well-known Asian Am. political leader publicly and
proudly asserted the following. "The ONLY way Asian Ams. will become
equal citizens of America is if we serve top government officials' election/
re-election needs (i.e. give money) with such devotion that they will be
moved to help us back." That subservient mentality made many rich
Asian Am. individuals display pictures with top officials at home which
they "bought" with huge amount of money with NO return benefits for our
community.

   80-20 advocates the diametric opposite.

   80-20's position: In a democracy, officials are public servants
regardless of their ranks. We, as voters, are the bosses. If the officials
share our rightful concerns, we reward them. Otherwise, we punish them!
However, talk is cheap. Other enlightened Asian Am. organizations have
advocated similar principles.

   Where 80-20 is unique: 80-20 goes beyond talk. 80-20
demonstrates to YOU how the above principle works in America's
elections.