Time for Congressmen of South Asian Origin
Zen S. Bhatia, Ontario, CA

If Joseph Lieberman can become our next Vice-President and several Jewish, Asians (Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese), Afro-Americans and other minority races can get their due representation in the U.S. Congress and Senate, why can’t the more intelligent and financially sound Indo-Pakistani Americans get a representation in the US Congress now and Senate later on? The answer is very simple: all other minority groups have initially taken more political and national interest in the affairs of this nation than their home country. And after establishing their political strength, they have helped their home countries in a big way. But we have used our political and economic strength to continue our age-old confrontation which has divided and weakened our strength. We are being shamelessly used by our Indian politicians, American politicians and, above all, our own selfish and power hungry local leaders.

In reality, if we have to be a real political power in this nation, first, we will have to forget the centuries-old social, cultural, political and religious differences among ourselves. In the USA Indians, Pakistanis, Bangla Deshis and Sri Lankans will have: to be united on one platform to form a strong and meaningful organization. Even several Arab and African nationals could join us to raise our strength. Once we have a strong influence to exert, the American and other politicians will beg for our help, and on our terms, rather than our begging them to attend our functions, as is the case today. The Britishers had ruled over us for more than 200 years by dividing us and today the American political leaders are doing just the same. A strong and united Indian, Pakistani, Bangla Deshi and Sri Lankan community will raise the prospects of having our own Congressmen and Senators in the US capital.