A couple of weeks ago, a Kinmen county councilor, Lai Yu-chien
As a fellow local councilor, I am embarrassed by her behavior. As Taiwan's democracy and communalism develops, local councilors, whose role is to convey the wishes and opinions of their public, are "sinking" downward, becoming the major obstacle to mature democratic politics.
Maintaining a proper relationship with their local council is usually the most difficult task for local chief executives. While confrontation with councils obstructs the government's work, harmonious relations trigger speculation about "dividing the spoils"
That's why local commissioners and mayors are especially cautious in dealing with their councils.
Several recent incidents have brought the disorder in local councils into the spotlight. The wife of Chen Yung-hsin
However, it is the councils, rather than the executives, who are to blame. They are made up of people from widely disparate backgrounds. That is why ferocious disputes and conflicts are common in council meetings.
Local councilors are often grilled by the media over their unfamiliarity with parliamentary procedures and basic legal knowledge. Some councilors don't even know how to review a budget, not to mention their inability to properly allocate resources.
While a lack of professional ability and self-control have contributed to frequent verbal and physical attacks in council meetings, there are some well-educated, professional councilors. They regard themselves as "clean" councilors, but in fact they either go along with their colleagues' dirty deeds or shirk from exposing the wrongdoing of others to avoid trouble. They act like outsiders when disorder paralyzes the system.
All councilors, whether clean or dirty, are responsible for the deterioration of the councils.
Council sessions provide golden opportunities for publicity-hounds, groundless criticism, political vendettas and personal attacks on government officials. Local governments face frequent threats of adjournment from their councils when the latter's requests are turned down.
An addiction to media sensationalism also contributes to the disorder in local councils. The publicity gained from such coverage can determine a politician's future, rather than say, providing credible service to one's constituents.
Some councilors resort to extreme behavior in an effort to extend their political careers. That's why Lai has been praised by some people as a model of "aggressive self-assertion." She has even been called "Kinmen's first warship."
When violence is regarded as a positive form of self-expression, it reflects not only societal flaws but also the sad fact that politics are dominated by demagoguery.
Personally, I aspire to high-level politics and the example set by predecessors during the early years of Taiwan's democracy.
They neither made outlandish statements nor used exaggerated deeds to impress the public. They based their arguments on solid truth and constructive criticism of the government's administration.
And this is exactly what councilors should do to enhance the quality of our local politics.
Chiu Li-li is a Tainan City councilor.
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