TSU has a chance

If the DPP can rise from dangwai (黨外) to become ruling party in a little over a decade, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) can become the second largest party in about the same amount of time. ["TSU's future in doubt after electoral reforms," June 8, page 3.] The question is, how?

In the near term, the TSU should concentrate on securing third place among the parties. This is not hard to do, because of the People First Party's (PFP) incoherence in direction and purpose, its total retrograde in Taiwan's cause and democracy. The KMT bubble will burst once its illegal assets are spent or taken away.

The TSU can address issues such as constitutional reform. The DPP will not touch upon issues of national name, sovereignty, territory or symbols. Yet, the "Republic of China" will lead nowhere. Eventually, Taiwan's international space and commercial interests will be squeezed by China without these changes. Taiwan will be backed into a corner, and will have to fight like a trapped beast. This is where the TSU can distinguish itself. There may be no "consensus" now, but the truth will become more and more clear. Taiwan has no alternative but to face up to it.

The DPP cannot have it both ways, promoting Taiwan's independence come election time, only to drift toward the "middle of the road" after an election. "Green" voters may not have an alternative now. It is up to the TSU to provide that alternative as Taiwan's faithful opposition party.

I am looking forward to the day when the TSU becomes "the" faithful Taiwanese opposition party, and beyond.

Chen Ming-chung
Chicago, Illinois