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Letter: Leadership needs clear vision

Taiwan is indeed a model democracy, but it faces several challenges. The Taiwanese must use their wisdom and power to overcome these difficulties and take control of their own destiny, or Taiwan's democracy might become a thing of the past. Taiwan is a country with a triple national identity: Taiwan, the Republic of China and China. Internally, the people in Taiwan are broadly divided into pan-green and pan-blue camps. Externally, China insists that Taiwan is a part of China, although China hasn't ruled Taiwan for a single second since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Japan ruled Taiwan for 50 years and gave up any claim to it in 1951, without specifying an inheritor. The US liberated Taiwan from Japan in 1945, and has protected Taiwan from China since the 1950s, but still talks about a paradoxical "one China" policy. The UN is helpless and hopeless.

The governing party should have a clear vision for Taiwan's future and work hard to achieve it. It should implement the laws in spite of opposition or protests. Actions are more effective than words. Corrupt officials should be fired and imprisoned.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should make good use of his remaining term. What happened to his strong leadership as the mayor of Taipei? A good ending is better than a good beginning.

The losing candidates should have sportsmanship. The opposition parties must be friendly, at least to the people who need security, prosperity and tranquility. Please do not boycott everything and paralyze or endanger Taiwan. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should not act like the mayor of "Chinese Taipei."

In the Dec. 3 local governments elections, voters should not accept bribery from any candidates. They must vote for candidates who can preserve democracy and freedom for Taiwan.

Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
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