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Points for women voters
While not every voter examines party platforms rigorously before making a decision to vote, the Indian-American community, with its high level of education and increasingly active political forays, may be aware not just of the broad strokes of policy made by the two presidential candidates, but also the small print. Veena Merchant, Editor-in-Chief of News India-Times, spoke with Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-NJ) and Seema Singh, Ratepayer Advocate of New Jersey, as part of
TV Asia’s ‘Capital Debates’ series presented by the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA).
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Seema Singh, Ratepayer Advocate of New Jersey
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Q: In the women’s issues, the most important issues are pro-choice or pro-life. Can we talk about the issues from the two parties’ perspectives?
SEEMA SINGH : As a Democrat working for a Democratic administration and with the experience that I’ve had, I feel that women should vote Democratic because, first of all, if it is John Kerry, he will protect women’s rights. My major priority is pro-choice Supreme Court justices. If George Bush wins, he is going to wipe out the one vote on the court that preserves our civil rights and liberties. So women need to be aware of that; they need to be conscious of it and need to make the right decision.
Q: Thank you. I’m so glad, we got to the judiciary perspective. But according to some polls, women feel more comfortable with the Republicans on security issues –– I mean fighting terrorism. Do you have a comment on that?
SEEMA SINGH : I’m frankly amazed to hear that and my only gut instinct is that these women are not aware of the real issues. As a woman and as a mother, my message to them is, if their child was in Iraq would they feel differently? The Bush administration has no plan of withdrawal from Iraq.
Q: I think what they mean is that Kerry hasn’t made himself clear about what he would do with the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq.
SEEMA SINGH : However, Kerry has made it clear that the war is going to end and there is a plan for withdrawal.
Q: Can he really withdraw immediately?
SEEMA SINGH : I’m sure he cannot withdraw immediately, but he can come up with a plan. Internationally, I know people are more excited to have Kerry rather than George Bush. So just having a new president will be bring a world of difference, that in itself will bring about more security.
Q: You mean bringing in more countries into the coalition? Lets move to another subject. Mrs. Reagan, if you remember, brought in embryonic stem cell research issue. Do you have any comment on that?
SEEMA SINGH : I’m definitely pro-stem cell research. If it can save lives then why not? I mean we are the most progressive society and if we cant use progressive research to enhance health issues and enhance more lives then what’s the point.
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