16. Why I Can't Say I Voted

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/why-you-cant-say-i-voted-in-chinese-at-least-in-china/265059/

            James Fallows is the author of the article "Why You Can't Say 'I Voted' in Chinese - at Least in China." The author tries to show in his writing the reasons why anyone cannot say they voted in China in Chinese. The author starts out his article with the cause: he showed a piquet sticker with the message "I voted" in multiple languages and how that was prohibited in mainland China but okay in America. The author then proceeds to show a whole letter written by a Chinese stating the problem and possible reasons. The main reason seems to be that the words I Voted seem to portray much democratic elections and therefore contradicts the standards of Chinese socialism/communism.
            Fallows uses several techniques to achieve his purpose. The purpose seems to be informative; it tries to explain the reasons behind why the words I Voted are not very welcome in China. The author states the problem in the first paragraph and right after he transcribes the whole letter written by a Chinese person. The author uses first person to show much of his personal experience with the contradiction. He also uses subjective phrases and opinions to support his thinking: "Everyone knows that Americans get to vote, but there's something truly poignant about seeing the words in chinese...the dream is still alive, and one day, we will all have a voice; we will all have the right to choose how we are governed."The author seems to take a stance and critical view on the Chinese government.