On March 18, the Taiwanese people chose the DPP as Taiwan's new ruling party by electing Chen Shui-bian
Indeed, the price for taking office was too high for the DPP. The ruling party, as a minority party, has now followed the KMT's old path and has unreasonably and recklessly tried to promote whatever it desires in its post-victory arrogance and misjudgment of current circumstances. Some DPP officials have claimed that they were just "reforming" Taiwan. Shouldn't the reform, based on existing foundations, be carried out gently and gradually in order to minimize the price we might have to pay during the reform process?
Ironically, the DPP has chosen to break completely from its traditions in order to prove the legitimacy of its new power, to the extent it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In my opinion, we DPP members seem to have too much of an obsession with power and are too little inclined to reflect on ourselves.
The DPP government's anti-nuclear stance has led to the current fight between the ruling and opposition parties. Although government officials insist that it is the KMT's crass behavior in passing the budget for the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
Despite the fact that the anti-nuclear stance is central to the ruling party's philosophy, I believe the DPP should immediately stop avoiding discussion over the controversial plant issue. In fact, what the DPP is so afraid to discuss is exactly the key issue of the dispute: what are the government's industrial policies, having halted the nuclear plant? What are the DPP's plans for Taiwan's national development?
On Nov. 4 Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
If Taiwan wants to continue its leading role in the semiconductor manufacturing field for the next three years, at least 40 semiconductor factories must be built. What is the government's position on the crucial balance between economic development and environmental protection anyway, as it sets about turning Taiwan into a "green Silicon Island?"
The KMT's over-emphasis on economic development over the past 50 years has caused many problems. In addition, Taiwan's advantages as an export-oriented economy are now seriously threatened by China's speedy economic growth. Taiwan is now turning from a developing country into a developed country, and its economic growth is slowing down gradually. The change from high-economic growth to a low-economic growth country -- rather than the unrealistic slogan of a "Taiwan Double" -- is perhaps the primary issue we need to deal with. How could it be possible for the government to double per-capita GDP while economic growth is slowing down?
The DPP government is in a very dangerous position now. The DPP members' problems lie in too many slogans and too little action. They have made a lot of promises to please the Taiwanese people, but don't have the courage to take the responsibility to keep these promises. No wonder our policies usually contradict each other, forcing policy makers to straighten out contradictions by lying again and again.
At this historic moment, we DPP members really need to reflect on ourselves -- before we criticize others. We have to admit that Taiwan's society and its people have paid a bitter price after Chen's inauguration. The party therefore owes the people of Taiwan a sincere apology.
Ker Chien-ming is a legislator and member of the DPP's Central Standing Committee.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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