After the March 20 presidential election, many of the nation's political commentators suddenly discovered that growing "Taiwan consciousness" -- first promoted by former president Lee Teng-hui (
After nearly 50 years of autocratic rule by the KMT government, the Taiwanese people certainly hoped that the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) government would correct many wrongs when it assumed power in 2000. The public is particularly concerned about the existence or abolition of the Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC).
In light of the current development of the nation's constitutional democracy, it's time to significantly amend the "ROC" Constitution, which was completely unrelated to Taiwan during the process of its establishment. After the regime of the late president Chiang Kai-shek (
But as every Taiwanese knows, the Constitution divides the state into five separate powers. In addition to the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Yuan, it allows the Examination and Control Yuans to waste public funds, since their functions are very limited. If, therefore, Taiwan wants to emulate advanced democratic countries and set up a state with three separate powers, the Constitution must be amended or a new constitution written.
In addition, the Constitution does not clearly define the scope of the nation's territory. Some people therefore believe it to be enormous, encompassing the People's Republic of China and Mongolia, while others claim that it only includes Taiwan island, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. There are numerous preposterous interpretations of what constitutes the country's territory. Lawmakers with different political outlooks often quarrel in the legislature -- and sometimes even come to blows. This behavior has gained international notoriety and seriously hampers legislative efficiency.
There is also the question of whether the number of legislative seats should be halved and electoral districts redrawn. Unless authorities such as the National Unification Council (國統會), the Taiwan Provincial Government and the Fukien Provincial Government are quickly abolished, the nation will not be doing right by taxpayers and their hard-earned money.
We have pointed out these examples to show that in this country the public will is paramount, and that any party wishing to rule cannot turn their back on the people's "Taiwan consciousness." The arguments presented about these issues by Lien and Soong have been insubstantial and weak. They seem more concerned with Beijing's attitude than with the sentiments of the people. It is this attitude that planted the seeds of their electoral defeat.
Now, PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄) has led his party's caucus in opposing discussion of a constitutional amendment bill. In doing this, he has gone back on the consensus established by all parties last month, and shown the PFP to be yet again obstructing the progress of democracy. They will pay a heavy price for flying in the face of mainstream public opinion. Have they learned nothing from their defeat in the Kaohsiung by-elections last month? Will the PFP follow the path of the New Party into political oblivion?
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