In light of recent political developments and questions raised about the robustness of the Constitution, perhaps Taiwan's democratic institutions require the creation of a new law to ward off any opportunistic hijacking.
I propose that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), together with moderate elements in the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) create a new Electoral and Constitutional Malfeasance bill that would make it a criminal act carrying a mandatory minimum 10-year sentence for any activity intended to undermine an election result that has been deemed fair by an independent electoral body (and international observers, if required).
Also illegal would be the refusal to recognize the legitimate result of an election, the organization of public protests by political leaders and parties, threatening or refusing to recognize the office of the president, making threats against the president's life and attempting to force the the president from office through threat of civil unrest.
In addition, any attempts to unilaterally change the Constitution by threat or legislative coercion as a means to either undermine the institutions of democracy and the sovereignty of the nation will also be included as heavily punished actions.
Perhaps this would then finally convince those selfish, money, power and fame hungry politicians that Taiwan is not for sale to Beijing for the price of a permanent position as appointed Chief Executive of Taiwan Province SAR.
We can only hope that Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) takes over as chairman of the KMT before 2008, and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Lien Chan (連戰) and James Soong (
Ben Goren
Taitung
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