社评 0818 我们要积极参与地方政治

我们要积极参与地方政治

美国政治体制是以地方政治结合联邦体制， 地方从县市及州之各项选举是全国政治之基础 ，尤其是市长及国会议员是地方选出最重要之官员。

多年来 ，我们参予市长及国会议员之大小选举， 由於投票人数不多，捐款也有限，因此对选举之影响不大， 但是我们确是有决定性之少数关键， 不容小窥 。

就目前情势而言， 华亚裔人口正不断增长， 而且已达到百分之十之比例。 但是， 我们真正去投票之比例还是太少， 大家对政治还是不太关心， 我们必须加强宣导选民登记， 尤其可以从各社团教会等宗亲组织开始， 把选民造册以便随时动员。

今天国内外环境不断恶化，俄乌战事台海情势及各种天灾席捲全球。 我们必须团结在一起 ，共同面对未来之情势 ，这一切和我们生活之社区及民选官员有密切之关係。 

我们在此呼吁 ，不论你支持何党何派， 最重要的还是参与投票以实际行动来参加政治活动 ，才能保障自己之权益 。

休斯敦市长及市议员大选在即， 一股政治热潮正在醖酿之中， 我们必须稹极行动，共同表达我们之意愿，这裡是我们的家。

We Should Actively Participate In Local Politics 

The U.S. political system combines local politics with the federal system. Local elections from counties, cities and states are the basis of national politics. In particular, mayors and members of congress are the most important officials elected by local voters.

Over the years, we as Asian Americans have participated in both large and small elections, but due to the small number of votes cast and with limited donations, the influence has been limited. 

But in the last few years, the situation has changed. More and more Asians are moving to Houston. Now we have reached to 10% of the total population. We really need to tap into strengthening and promoting voter registration to prevent inaccuracies in voting, then go out and vote. 

Today the environments both at home and abroad are deteriorating. The war is still going on in Ukraine and as tensions still persist about the Taiwan Strait, various natural disasters have swept over the world. 

We must unite together to face the future situation because it is also related to our local community. 

We are here to appeal that no matter what party you belong to, or who you vote for, just take the action to do it. 

The Houston mayor and city council election is coming up. We urge you to be a part of this important political process to elect our officials and to express our wishes together. This is our home.