The current situation of the KMT is similar to that of a wall gecko. When the life of a wall gecko is in peril, it will cut off its own tail because the still-shaking tail would divert the attention of its enemies. This self-defense action is called "autotomy" (
Whether the KMT will be able to retain its domineering position in the country is closely connected to Lien Chan's chances of being elected as the next president. However, Lien has never taken the lead during the campaign race. As the general standing had not been so optimistic, the KMT was forced to take an "autotomy strategy." All of the recent policies brought forward by Lien's camp are extraordinary. Schemes have been suggested such as putting KMT properties in trust, downsizing the National Assembly and terminating the specter of violence between politicians, which are all considered bloody "autotomic" actions.
Unfortunately, the excruciating endeavor has not won much acclaim from the public. The DPP said that these promises could only be carried out when "the sun rises in the west." The sarcasm demonstrates the skeptical attitude among the public.
It is not surprising that many Taiwanese have no faith in KMT policies; the distrust is deeply rooted.
Over the past decade, the public has expected a lot from the KMT. The party has indeed made some changes, yet the changes have not yielded many results. Ten years ago, violent demonstrations launched by college students prompted the KMT to deliberate over whether the National Assembly should be downsized. Ironically, the National Assembly was instead expanded after intensive discussions. Though the provincial government was downsized and the provincial assembly was dispersed, the Legislative Yuan was inflated. Many of the provincial assemblymen were upgraded to be legislators, whereas those who were not elected to be legislators have gained one more title -- they became members of the Taiwan Consultative Council (
The KMT has gradually developed the personality of a pig. If you kick a pig once, it will just mumble; if you kick it one more time, its cumbersome body will move a bit. If you need to clean its body, it will take a long time for it to get up and walk out of the pig pen. The pig's owner has to be both patient and good- tempered to put up with such indolence and lethargy.
The mentality of one who moves very slowly and reluctantly and who believes "one is good for ten" are typical traits of an authoritative regime.
History teaches us that it is not unusual for politicians to break their promises or to muddle their policies.
Let's look at Lien's promise to place the KMT's assets in trust. Only a day after Lien's announcement of this slogan, different voices were heard. Some said that the move will have to wait until after the KMT's National Congress in August. Some wondered about how to lay-off employees working in party-run enterprises. Some raised the question of how to define a "party-run enterprise." Some said if the KMT holds more than 50 percent of a company's stocks, the business can be regarded as party-run.
When we try to judge the KMT, we shouldn't feel sorry when we see it cut off its own tail. Everybody knows that human fingers will not grow anew if chopped off.
As biology teaches us, the tails of reptilia such as wall geckos or lizards will be regenerated eventually after being cut off.
Chen Ro-jinn is a freelance writer.
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