If I were former DPP chairman Shih Ming-te (
Perhaps Shih's DPP comrades are somewhat cold-hearted to treat him this way. Another former party chairman, Lin I-hsiung
Shih recently said, for example, that Chen should abide by the "semi-presidential" system and immediately replace the premier. Personally, I believe it was inappropriate for Shih, as a former party chairman, to say that.
It reminded me of one of Aesop's Fables that says when pigs are caught by butchers, they always scream as loud as they can but sheep are always quiet and calm when they are caught by shepherds. One day, a sheep advised a pig to co-operate with humans. The pig responded, "Those humans only want your wool and milk, but they want my life."
Thus, if Chen listens to Shih and allows the opposition parties to appoint a new premier and to form a new Cabinet, Chen will become the pig who is constantly under threat from a butcher. No wonder he will never accept Shih's suggestion.
Shih's speech, asking Chen to replace the premier, was utterly naive. Although the ruling party is not the majority in the Legislative Yuan, I believe the DPP members will only be willing to share their power with the opposition parties if they are still a minority after next year's legislative election. Since Shih's suggestions are so different from those of his fellow party members, it is no surprise that he is now being ignored and disrespected by them.
In fact, the "semi-presidential" system is unlikely to achieve Shih's goal of stabilizing the political situation. Will the president and the ruling party be willing to give up their administrative power? If they choose to fight back after the opposition parties form a new Cabinet, the political climate will continue to worsen.
Shih might think he is neutral when giving advice to the government leaders, acting as a "teacher of the nation." The problem, however, is that a real political heavyweight who is qualified to be a national advisor must transcend political party factions and be accepted and respected by all sides. Shih has always been involved in politics. He has campaigned for the post of Legislative Yuan speaker and even the presidency. During the presidential election earlier this year, he refused to firmly back Chen and repeatedly criticized him. As a consequence, when he recently offered advice to Chen on stabilizing the country, people thought that he was simply trying to get his revenge.
Shih's advice did not grab the spotlight because it was unique or valuable. The ideas he proposed had repeatedly been put forward by opposition politicians. It was Shih's position as a former DPP chairman that drew the media's attention to him when he made his remarks. The media is only watching the in-fighting in the DPP.
If Shih really wants to help Chen, he should talk to him sincerely and privately, and without deliberately criticizing him.
In short, if Shih wants Chen to accept his advice, he needs first to give up his hostility in order to win the right to give advice to others. People then might be willing to listen to him.
Chen Ro-jinn is a freelance writer.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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