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Reform yourself first

Your perspicacious editorial ("A dirty pot taunts a clean kettle," May 26, page 8) impressed me. In Taiwan, our party leaders, legislators and government officials declare all the time: "The people are the government's foreman," but what they frequently demonstrate is quite the opposite. That's why they are always condemned for being ineffective.

It seems to me that they have been given such great power that they become unethical in handling political affairs. Confucius even stated: "To govern means to rectify. If you were to lead the people with correctness, who would not be rectified?" (政者， 正也。子帥以正，孰敢不正). The politicians always proclaim that they want to reform, to make our country more democratic. However, what they have provided for us is a cluster of terrible negative examples. They are awfully fond of scrambling for power and profit. Before saying empty words, our political personages should rectify themselves. In this way, there will be room for two-way discussion on how to reform.

Alice Tsai
Taipei

KMT, retake the mainland!

What do the recent debate about Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) reform and China's threats to Taiwan have in common? ("China is blind to Taiwanese people," May 30, page 8) Both are blind to the Taiwanese people.

Perhaps for the KMT's ultimate reform, it could declare, "We will defend Taiwan's freedom and democracy at any cost," since "at any cost" appears to be the catch phrase for Chinese intimidation of Taiwan. Although we don't know exactly what cost China is thinking about, we certainly know this cost does not have to be approved by the Chinese people.

The KMT has long dominated both military leadership and military personnel in Taiwan. Such a declaration would be credible and appreciated by Taiwanese. It would be consistent with the KMT's founding principles. It is also one thing they are in a position to do better than the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

If one asks what is the least likely cost the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is willing to pay for attacking Taiwan? One would have to conclude that it is their monopoly power to rule China. "Retaking the mainland" is not an impossibility, if one thinks more carefully and has a little more imagination. What if Taiwan, (with a little help from the US) concentrates its fire power to eliminate the CCP ruling class if Taiwan is attacked? Is it not possible that a public uprising would ensue to demand democracy in China?

Who knows? The KMT may even return to the "mainland," at a very least becoming a legitimate party to compete for the votes of Chinese voters, this time as a liberator. The KMT might even win power again.

To either make China think twice about using force or to actually prepare for such a strategy requires the KMT's cooperation. This will absolutely benefit peace between Taiwan and China.

KMT reformers, set your sights a little higher, a little farther! But you can win no power without the trust of the people -- either in Taiwan or in China.

Chen Ming-chung
Chicago
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