Worrying about the sorrowful situation in which Taiwan could find itself in 2008, I formulated a simple means of deducing the intentions of a leader: Observe his behavior, read his attitude and identify his core values. I give a few examples to illustrate Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's(
At a gathering of the KMT's local government chiefs held in Taian, Miaoli County, Ma urged the party's elected officials to be beyond reproach.
"Political integrity, accountability and transparency are our core values," he said, and "Honesty is the core value of Taiwan." Why does Ma want his party's elected officials to be honest? Because the outcome of last December's "three-in-one" local elections clearly indicated that people in Taiwan didn't vote for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidates due to the recent corruption cases involving DPP members. Obviously, Ma's goal is for his party to win the next elections. "Honesty" is a strategy by which to achieve that end. It is not really a core value.
Besides, he misunderstands the nature of "core values." Honesty, integrity, accountability and transparency aren't core values, they are just attitudes that must be adopted in order to run a government.
If you often take the bus or the MRT, you will notice that passengers are advised to speak in a low voice, especially when using their cell phones. But the ridiculously noisy TV sets at MRT stations and on the buses pour out torrents of discordant advertising mixed with educational and safety programs.
Of course you can speak to the authorities and request that they turn down the noise. They will listen to you very politely, but do nothing. This attitude is based on the fundamental belief that while members of the public are obliged to obey the rules, the administration is not.
If the KMT is able to get back into power, they will enable direct flights between Taiwan and China in two years. From this behavior, we can deduce Ma's attitude: He wants to improve economic ties with China. You can guess what the core value is behind this attitude. So my advice to the people of Taiwan is to love this land with your heart, but not be fooled by words. Otherwise, sorrow will be unavoidable.
Sylvie Allassonniere
Tamsui
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