The danger of complacency
Prey are often most vulnerable when complacent, a fact predators are well aware of.
In the hours before Sunday’s massive demonstration against President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) dangerous China policies, it was apparent that many Taiwanese are complacent — sitting in cafes sipping latte or tea, shopping, going for a stroll on free streets and in free parks in a free country, as though the nation faces no threat.
This complacency is not the result of apathy but of a comfortable lifestyle. It is human nature to take what we have for granted — until it is lost.
China and its new best friend, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), are in the process of preparing Taiwan for China’s feast. Although we don’t know the details, it is apparent that the two sides have struck a secret agreement.
Taiwanese today can say and believe what they want and go where they like, for the most part unrestricted. They have the right to vote and change their government. These are freedoms many peoples around the world can only dream of.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) represses all dissent, free thought and beliefs that differ from absolute and unrestrained love of the party.
Most Taiwanese do not truly appreciate the nature of the oppression in China and some even believe they could accept China’s ways. Not until they feel China’s heavy hand will they know the danger of letting Taiwan’s hard-won freedoms erode. By then it will be too late.
The KMT is not here to save Taiwan, it is here to save China for itself — something it and its henchmen have waited to do for 50 years. The party’s goals are at odds with what most Taiwanese want. Most Taiwanese see themselves living normal lives in a normal country with a normal government and normal freedoms and expectations. Neither the CCP nor KMT offer this.
Now that voters have let the fox — or rather the horse — into the henhouse, the question is what to do?
Sunday’s demonstration will not stop Ma and the KMT from gradually strangling Taiwan.
The public will one day wake up to find banks and corporations in Taiwan are owned by China, products in Taiwan are made in China, Chinese police stationed around Taiwan are enforcing China’s laws and Taiwan’s leaders are beholden to China.
Some may face even this with complacency and believe that Ma will deliver a better life. Many people will not realize the threat until the noose is around Taiwan’s neck.
The public can determine the future for itself. What will Taiwanese tell their children and grandchildren when they ask: “Why is life so hard here now? Didn’t you use to vote and have freedom? Why did you throw it all away because that traitor Ma asked you to?”
People should not confuse the Republic of China with Taiwan. The KMT’s Republic of China is just another name for China. The KMT is preparing to become part of the CCP and not to make Taiwan a great country. This is not the goal of most Taiwanese.
Most of us know this place as “Taiwan,” a sovereign country completely beyond the comprehension of both Ma and the Chinese leadership.
LEE LONG-HWA
New York
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