Now that the Executive Yuan has announced the resumption of construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
The people of Taiwan will probably remember some of the inappropriate statements made by Chen after he won the presidential election, for example: "I can now eat my fill and get a full night's sleep everyday." This kind of language left a sour taste at the grassroots level -- especially among survivors of the 921 earthquake. Historically, only fatuous rulers, ignorant of the people's suffering, would speak in such a manner. Chen also said "Let's say I won the election out of luck -- what's he [Ma Ying-jeou,
Some have said Chen is only mayoral material, thrust into the presidency by mistake. The irony here is that had Chen operated as president as he had done as mayor the power plant fiasco might never have happened. During Chen's time as mayor, any city government policy-making initiatives were preceded by public opinion polls. As long as more than 60 percent were in favor, regardless of of how loud the opposition's voice was, Chen took immediate action. Having the support of a majority of public opinion ensured that each administrative undertaking (such as the crackdown against prostitution in residential areas) received resounding cheers from Taipei residents. If he could successfully implement city government policy initiatives, why hasn't he done it on the national level?
To add to the irony, Chen's mayoral and presidential victories were, after all, both the result of splits in the KMT ranks, giving Chen the opportunity to win. In each case Chen ended up facing a representative assembly -- the city council, the Legislative Yuan -- dominated by his opponents. Yet Chen could consistently master the council because he knew he had the support of his electorate. As president, he rarely seeks to ask what the electorate really wants, and never tries to use the "bully pulpit" of the presidency to alter their opinions.
Maybe he just misjudged the collective personality of the Taiwanese people. He thought that all Taiwanese, like him, sought innovation and change, hoped for a political transition and wanted to give someone else a chance. However, the Taiwanese people's conservative, non-extremist personality -- rooted in their colonial experience -- has allowed them to be flexible and submissive -- not daring to demand huge changes, hoping only for gradual, orderly progress. How else could they so obediently live through 38 years of martial law?
Chen had immense resources to throw into the battle for hearts and minds over the nuclear power plant. He never used them. Let's hope he has learned his lesson and will next time try to first elicit the support of the majority before taking action. He should use trends in public opinion to derive an understanding of problems and issues -- and his position relative to them. Certainly Chen deserves one more chance to get it right. But, if he continues to go against the public will and make decisions like the strongmen of old, and if this causes the legislature to initiate another recall motion, we would be duty-bound to give the motion our total support.
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