I'll have to TiVo this. Thanks for the good find!

I think while the established generation of Asians...i.e. the ones that's been here awhile and have an established business of their own will be less affected by the economic crisis than the ones that just emigrated here or the assimilated corporate wage slaves.but as a whole, i really think asians will come out of this thing a lot better of than most other groups, just because most asians are living frugal(and cheap) lives already. and if anything, i think asian business owners are masters at dodging taxes and "milking" the system. just like most communities, the "problem" is not something outside of the community, it's usually within.

callipygian: i respectfully disagree with your prejudice and inaccurate statements about the economic impacts of asians in this country during this financial turmoil.small business owners, unless they themselves patronize their own shops and services, will be impacted heavily. who do you think they sell their goods and services to? you think these rich ceo's of gm and chrystler are gonna visit your local mom and pop korean grocery in queens? i. don't. think. so. homes. the people who they rely on to shop at their stores are the very people who are losing their jobs, getting their paychecks slashed, losing their health care, and seeing their savings and retirement diminish right before their eyes. so if you think asian small business owners are immune to this economic crisis, you are sorely mistaken buddy.and who are you calling cheap and milking the system? we are not the corporate douchebags taking tax payer dollars to go on posh retreats in napa valley. we are not flying private jetplanes to go ask for more funds to continue our unethical lifestyles. because hard working asian families know the value of a dollar and know what blood, sweat and tear went into earning that dollar bill, and therefore thinks twice, maybe even three times before spending it frivolously does NOT mean we're cheap you douchebag.i feel like when ignorant people pass judgment on other people the "problem" is not something outside of that person, it's usually within.

Callipygian:I don't agree with your statement that "just like most communities, the 'problem' is not something outside of the community, it's usually within." This sounds like a case of blaming the victim. I really can't see how the APA community could have contributed to or created the economic crisis, which is really due to risky debt-accumulation by financial institutions, weak oversight and deregulation in the banking, corporate, and government sector, and the ever increasing wealth gap between rich and poor. I also don't think poor folks and immigrants are at fault for having to work minimum wage jobs or be "frugal" due to limited economic opportunities, and I doubt this offers any meaningful protection for families during a recession. I don't know what evidence you have about Asian business owners "dodging taxes and 'milking' the system," but I'm willing to bet that, just like other small business owners, they DO pay taxes, create community jobs, and contribute to the overall strength of the economy, which ultimately benefits us all.

Although I disagree with almost everything callipygian says, I think the last two posters already did a good job breaking down the weak points of his/her argument. My main problem is callipygian’s thought that Asians “as a whole” will come out better than most other groups. The problem with that is there is no such thing as Asians “as a whole”. The Taiwanese-American immigrant experience is not the same as the Hmong-American refugee experience is not the same as the 6th generation Japanese-American experience. We need to stop thinking of ourselves as a whole with no parts; we are a collection of people with similar backgrounds but different socio-economic/cultural roots.I think the rest of callipygian’s comments are based on gross generalizations, age-old stereotypes, and depictions of Korean-American grocers in 90’s SoCal gangsta movies. I also have a feeling the IRS should audit callipygian’s parents’ shop just in case…Lastly, I think ALL groups, rich to poor, white to Asians are F'd during this recession. No one is safe unless you're a bankruptcy lawyer or local bar owner or suicide hotline operator.

looks like i touched some nerves here. if i generalized a bit too much there, i apologize. guess i shouldn't be throwing around the "Asian" label around too carelessly, especially here.the sentiment i feel here is that this recession is viewed as a bad thing. the current "american" lifestyle is just not maintainable. in the short run yes, it's gonna hurt. but sooner or later, that rotten tooth needs to fall off for the new one to grow.as for the system milking thing...ok, i'll just be more specific and say only that chinese buffet restaurant in Arkansas opened by this family illegally immigrated here from Fujian, China, with no regards to U.S. tax or immigration laws, employing only other illegal immigrants, and report just a tad low on how much cash they receive from their business on their annual tax return.