The Swiss did it, we can too
It is always a delight to read Nat Bellocchi ("What if democracy fails in Taiwan?" Jan. 2, page 8). Indeed, after over a hundred years of colonial rule, politicians, businessmen and many citizens of Taiwan remain so detached from the nation's affairs that they still haven't come to grips with their rights and responsibilities to determine their own collective fate. Their newly gained freedom and wealth have just put them at a loss as to where to go from here.
To say Taiwan will be marginalized just because China becomes strong and rich is, to say the least, debatable. Switzerland has not been marginalized just because other European nations are strong. It has had to find its own means to survive in its particular environment, and that is the nature of life. This is one reason why Taiwan should remain an independent, sovereign nation. It is a small country best left to deal with its own problems.
Bellocchi posed an excellent question to Taiwanese. I would like to go one step further. How much better it would be -- even for China -- if Taiwan would strengthen its resolve to make democracy work. A rich and strong China under a dictatorship can only bring disaster to the Chinese people. A democratic China can bring its people dignity and happiness.
Even if the Chinese people, decide to break China up into separate states, like the European continent after the Roman Empire, to form separate nations, each to care for its own people and its own affairs, each to decide its own fate and safeguard its own welfare, they would deal with these issues much more quickly and effectively under their democracy, just as Taiwan has. Who, other than the Chinese people, has the right to decide whether democracy -- rather than the import that is communism -- is suitable for Chinese?
Or perhaps the Chinese people would like to be like Americans, united as a nation under God, standing together by the will of the people, not by the will of its dictators or by force. Perhaps they would like a Constitution that is ratified and upheld by representatives of its citizens, freedom and equality for all. Perhaps they would like to reject the charade that is nationalism, or ethnic Chinese unity.
Hitler's Germany and the hegemonic Japanese Empire should serve as recent historic lessons for all Chinese and Taiwanese alike. Taiwanese voters should recognize that politicians promoting that same charade, are only out for their own personal gain. They behave irresponsibly towards Taiwanese and Chinese alike.
Chen Ming-chung
Chicago, Illinois
Amnesty ploy was ingenious
Contrary to your editorial (Jan. 6, page 8) which questioned the prosecutor's amnesty tactic in probing the bribery scandal of Kaohsiung city speaker election, I commend the tactic, which may be useful in probing other unsolved cases.
Though the corrupt city councilors may get away from the penalty of the law in granting the amnesty, they cannot escape the punishment of the voters in the future. Their political career is essentially finished now they have tarnished images. They would probably be better off resigning. That is justice too.
Normally, the bribery case is difficult to be proven and prosecuted. The amnesty tactic no doubt would establish this case legally.
Actually, this tactic may be what Taiwan needs to probe deeper into the atrocities, crimes and looting committed by the KMT in its 50 years rule of Taiwan. Taiwan should learn a lesson from South Africa in its handling of crimes and atrocities committed during Apartheid.
To deliver justice and close a chapter on cases such as the murder of Lin I-hsiung's (林義雄) family, the case of Chen Wen-chen (陳文成) and the 228 Incident, Taiwan prosecutors should consider using this tactic. Amnesty and awards can make people sing like canaries. Certainly knowing the truth is more important than the judicial process.
John Yang
Columbus, OH
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