Hong Sun, 63, mailed his vote last month. On Election Day, he came to Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church around six in the morning to help other voters. 

Hong Sun thinks Barack Obama can best represent the working class. (Gracie Zheng/Neon Tommy)

He immigrated to the United States from China in 1999. Over the years, he thinks the Chinese people are gradually having a louder voice in politics. 

“The U.S is a free and equal society, no doubt about that. We don’t feel a lot pressure except that you work for a living. Right now people in mainland China are under more pressure,” he said. 

Sun makes a living from home care. He goes to the homes of senior citizens when they need care, such as taking them to the hospital or simply to the grocery. 

In Chinese culture, 60-years-old for men is normally an age when you’ve already retired from work for five years and enjoy time with your family and grandchildren. 

“It’s a little different here in the US. The retirement age is a little older. As long as you’re in good health, you need to work and earn a living,” he said. 

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Tuan Pham, a self-employed photographer, was born in Vietnam. He came to the United States in 1975. Since then he voted on every election. 

Tuan Pham doesn't vote for a party; he votes for a candidate. (Gracie Zheng/Neon Tommy)

The last election I actually voted for the Republican. That was just because I thought he had more experience. Now that Obama has been there for four years. He’s doing the best as he can. I feel he needs another four years to make sure that what he has implemented go through and works well. He needs another chance. 

The thinking of America has changed, it’s more diverse with all the ethnic groups and everything. Personally with Clinton being in the office, he lifted the embargo in Vietnam. He helped open up trade and everything so families could go home. 

In regards of the Democrats, they’ve done some good stuff. I’ve seen it in Vietnam. Money comes in. Everyone is living better. The economy is booming over there. 

Anthony Avelar, 28, works for the Department of Mental Health in L.A. County. He voted for “the man that’s going to look for the best opportunities the next four year” and Yes on Prop. 30. 

Anthony Avelar did some research on the propositions last night and decided to root for Prop. 30. (Gracie Zheng/Neon Tommy)

A lot of my clients are referred from L.A. Unified, from private schools and from non-public schools. The more funding that they do receive from this proposition, it helps me get more resources to help these kids whether being at home or in the school in the community. With this tax relief, it would benefit them, so we can provide the mental health that they do need. 

The most important issue for Latinos is definitely, I can speak for my family, immigration-how do we handle undocumented people coming into the U.S. They’re not illegal. They are just undocumented. If you’re being productive and you’re working, you’re going to our schools and you’re using our resources for the better man of your life, we should have no right to send you back home. If you’re committing crimes, if you’re not doing what you have to do to better yourself, then maybe there should be other options for you to improve yourself, whether it be back in your home country or another place that can help you out.  

 

Read Neon Tommy's coverage of election here. 

Reach Senior Staff Reporter Gracie Zheng here.