Kerry Pledges Top Jobs for Indian Americans
Indian Life and Style, News Feature, Sunil Adam, Posted: Oct 25, 2004
Democratic challenger Sen. John F. Kerry, who is locked in an epic battle with incumbent President George W. Bush in the November presidential election, says he would "make every effort to involve Indian Americans at the highest levels of my administration."
In an exclusive Q&A in the Sept./Oct. issue of Indian Life & Style magazine published by India-West, the candidate, who is in a dead heat in the race to the White House, says, "It is long past time that Indian Americans be fully represented in the government."
Kerry, whose candidacy has enthused a sizable number of Indian American youth to volunteer for his campaign, categorically denied that the community's traditional support for the Democratic Party is gradually eroding and that Indian Americans are increasingly turning to the Republican Party to actualize their political aspirations.
Praising the "extraordinary contributions" that Indian Americans have made to "all aspects of American society," Kerry maintained that "never before have Indian Americans been more involved in Democratic politics than now."
Buttressing his claim, the Massachusetts senator said, "The number of South Asian delegates at this year's Democratic National Convention is significantly larger than any previous convention."
Displaying a comfortable grasp of the subject of India and Indian Americans, Kerry said: "I also believe that the Democratic Party has long been concerned about Indian American interests. In the last 25 years, only President Clinton and President Carter have made visits to India. From issues of civil rights, immigration, or foreign policy, the Indian American community can find in the Democratic Party a strong and common vision."
Discussing the thorny issue of outsourcing of jobs to India, the senator, who has maintained in the third presidential debate that he would not eliminate outsourcing, but only regulate it in a manner that companies will find incentives to keep jobs in America and plug in the tax loopholes that encourage outsourcing of jobs, reiterated his position while talking to Indian Life and Style.
In a detailed response, Kerry said: "The long-term interests of the American economy depend on creating the jobs of the future by strengthening America's commitment to technology and innovation. We must make American businesses more competitive and America a more attractive place to invest. To do this, my plan cuts corporate taxes for 99 percent of corporations, increases loans and equity for small business, and reduces the costs of health care and energy. I will invest in our future to build a high-tech task force for the 21st Century. We must develop our nation's broadband infrastructure, expand America's science and engineering workforce, and we must invest in broad-based government research for science and technology."
On the subject of immigration, which is close to the hearts of many Indians living in the United States, Kerry, criticizing the Patriot Act and the manner it has been enforced by Attorney General John Ashcroft, said that America's immigration system has broken down.
He forcefully argued that the U.S. "needs immigration laws that honor our tradition as a nation of immigrants and that will make America stronger."
Displaying his strong commitment toward a rational immigration policy, Kerry pledged that "within my first 100 days in office, I will introduce immigration reform that allows immigrants who work and pay taxes here to earn legalization, that encourages family reunification, and that protects the human rights of our nation's immigrant workers."
Expressing his confidence in the community, the senator said, "I think Indian Americans are well represented by the principles of the Democratic Party." And in a characteristically courteous appeal, Kerry said he "would be deeply honored to have their support."
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