Why do Indian Americans Support Obama?

The Wall Street Journal's India Real Time ^ | June 3, 2012 | Visi Tilak

[2ndDivisionVet]

An overwhelming 85% of Indian Americans support Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, according to a poll conducted earlier this year. The results of the study, which were published in early May, also revealed that only 67% of Indian Americans polled voted for Obama in 2008.

Mr. Obama’s life story seems to resonate better than Mitt Romney’s with many Indian Americans. In the study, which was conducted by Lake Research Partners, on the question of Obama vs. Romney, the ratio was a staggering 76 to 8 in favor of Mr. Obama.

Mr. Obama has shown strong support for Indian Americans, appointing them to some of the highest offices and continuing to laud the contribution of Asian Americans, even though his outsourcing policies have raised eyebrows...

[ravager]

I am an Indian American and I have to say your observations are very incorrect.

1. They get the same stories/lies from the VERY American media where everyone else gets their news. They are no more gullible then the rest of the America population.

2. 1st generation were NEVER “schooled” in traditional American values and history. They “schooled” themselves if at all. And very often they are better informed then American kids who ARE schooled in American history and values.

3. There is no way you know what kind of “deprivation” they faced in their country. Most Indians coming to US come from Indian middle class family. They aren't absolutely “deprived” but the same time they aren't smothered and spoiled by all the luxury either. They value whatever little they get and learn to work hard for it unlike a lot of Americans. More American live off freebies (then Indians) and still complain about everything.

[bkopto]

Well, I do know what I am talking about, as my wife is 1st gen Asian Indian, and I have been to India multiple times, where my I laws live.

[Nifster]

Not that one really has me stumped....

[ravager]

Most young Indians you see out there are overseas student on students visas or guest workers on work permit visas. They aren't eligible to vote, so it doesn't even matter if they are Republican or Democrat. Most young Indian Americans who ARE eligible to vote (are usually born and raised in US) come from affluent families, they go to IVY league schools or Liberal Arts colleges which tend to be democrat strongholds. They usually grow up (on East or West coast) and tend to socialize with kids from immigrant parents from countries. So these kids are born and raised democrats and are NEVER likely to vote Republican.

Among 1st gen immigrant Indians who are naturalized citizens there is a huge stereotype about the Christian Conservatives from the Bible belt. Even though they may actually agree on lower taxes, less regulation, smaller government, less spending and free market capitalism..... the whole Christian agenda, anti-science/evolution, anti-immigration is more then enough to drive them away.

And lastly, to be honest Conservatives themselves haven't really done a good job of trying to attract any of the like-minded and ideal immigrant communities. They never tried to build bridges or form alliances. They have mostly given out an appearance of being unfriendly, insular and anti-diversity. The fact that Democrats have quite actively and calculatedly projected a sham appearance of tolerance and acceptance of diversity is quite enough to lure all the Indian Americans to their camp.

[ravager]

I am an Indian and I have actually lived in India, while you only have an Indian wife. I think I will take my word over yours. And anyways I didn't see you refuting any of the things I said.

[ravager]

“I know lots of 1st gen Asian Indians who are by and large ambitious, not necessarily smart ( but some are) ”

Have you noticed that about half the freepers on this thread cant tell what kind of “Indians” we are talking about? Thats about as high as American bar on intelligence can get.

[ravager]

“I know lots of 1st gen Asian Indians who are by and large ambitious, not necessarily smart ( but some are) ”

Have you noticed that about half the freepers on this thread cant tell what kind of “Indians” we are talking about? For most people you have to break it down in terms of "Dot or feather", "Casino or Computer", "Reservation or Slurpee". Thats about as high as American bar on intelligence can get.

[Nifster]

Meant to type NOW darned fingers.....

[bkopto]

I am an Indian and I have actually lived in India, while you only have an Indian wife. I think I will take my word over yours. And anyways I didn't see you refuting any of the things I said.

Sorry, but I firmly stand by everything I originally posted. I have seen these things WITH MY OWN EYES AND EARS. Have a nice day.

[ravager]

Well then you haven’t heard or seen much I would say.

[ravager]

“Mine has been the opposite - working in Tech at a large financial institution, they were the slow minded and lazy. “

Lazy people taking away jobs Americans dont want to do. How lazy do you have to be to make that happen?

Talking about Indians being “slow minded”.....did you check how many Americans are having trouble on this thread figuring out what kind of “Indians” we are talking about?

[ravager]

A “conservative” Indian told you Indians are here for the “free stuff”?

Sorry, that dog dont hunt.

[GreatRoad]

“Lazy people taking away jobs Americans dont want to do.”

That was sarcasm, I hope.

[ravager]

“Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley, and one of my personal favorites and an old timer from the Reagan administration, Dinesh D’Souza.”

Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley and Dinesh D’Souza are all Christians. In case of Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley they are Christian converts from Hinduism and Sikhism. These two never enjoyed any support of Indians. Rightly or wrongly Indians believe they have sold out their religion for their political career. And it only reaffirms the belief that Indians cannot assume any position of power under Republican party unless they convert to Christianity.

[ravager]

Only if your comment was also a sarcasm.

[ravager]

You know, I have heard enough BS from people such as yourself that Indians are lazy, Indians are stupid, they are cheap, they are only here for the money ...for the free stuff..... the list goes on.

But guess what we STILL kick American butt. And trust me its not at all difficult to take away jobs from Americans. Every Indian I knew, all had very well paying jobs even through the worst economic crisis. Indians at an average are FAR better educated then Americans and are the richest minority alongside Koreans. There isn't a company, a medical institution or a research organization in the US where you wont find an Indian.

So tell me about Indians being lazy and simple minded when an average American kid gets a degree in Science or Engineering, speaks 4 languages fluently, speaks proper English and kicks butt in Math like an average Indian kid.

I hope that didnt hurt too much.

[ravager]

You know, I have heard enough BS from people such as yourself that Indians are lazy, Indians are stupid, they are cheap, they are only here for the money ...for the free stuff..... the list goes on.

But guess what we STILL kick American butt. And trust me its not at all difficult to take away jobs from Americans. Every Indian I knew, all had very well paying jobs even through the worst economic crisis. Indians at an average are FAR better educated then Americans and are the richest minority alongside Koreans. There isn't a company, a medical institution or a research organization in the US where you wont find an Indian.

So tell me about Indians being lazy and simple minded when an average American kid gets a degree in Science or Engineering, speaks 4 languages fluently, speaks proper English and kicks butt in Math like an average Indian kid.

I hope that didnt hurt too much.

[GreatRoad]

Nothing you type can ever possibly hurt me. But thanks for trying.

[entropy12]

You hit on many good points there. Even though I was born and raised in the Hindu religion, I will never turn liberal or democrat in my lifetime. There are very few turn offs for me against Christians...actually only 1. Whereas Hindu religion does not claim their’s is the only path to God, some Christians insist Christ is the only way to God. That is similar to what the Muslims believe, that prophet Mohammad is the only way to God. I wish there was more tolerance of other faiths.

[ravager]

Lame riposte for someone talking about “simple minded” people.....but hey good for you tough guy.