Last year was a bad one for national leaders around the world, most of whom were unable to hold their heads high. Although it is difficult to satisfy the public at a time of economic downturn, high unemployment, global warming and complex domestic political, economic and social problems, this is a test of our leaders.
Like US President Barack Obama, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) started off with high approval ratings and has since seen his popularity drop. But these two leaders have responded very differently to the situation.
In an interview with ABC anchor Diane Sawyer last Monday, Obama made a memorable statement that many leaders — world or otherwise — could stand to learn from: “I’d rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president.”
Ma, meanwhile, has responded to his party’s losses in local elections and legislative by-elections by bringing in King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) to orchestrate election campaigns as the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) secretary-general and woo back voters.
He is also working to improve communications with pan-blue legislators and is reportedly trying to restore the funeral subsidy for veteran soldiers to win back deep-blue voters and consolidate grassroots support.
Since the first day of his presidency, Ma’s hopes for a second term in office have been obvious. His actions and words are guided by this agenda.
The government’s policies are aimed at ingratiating itself with the public with the next presidential election in mind, while true reform has stopped for fear of displeasing voters. The government’s rescue and reconstruction efforts in the wake of Typhoon Morakot inspired Ma’s critics in the media to quip that “a corrupt president” had been replaced by “a stupid president.”
Taiwan and the US have their own challenges to face in terms of healthcare. Although liberals and conservatives alike have attacked Obama on the issue of a national healthcare program, he remains as determined as ever to see through a reform that he believes is imperative. Though the Democrats lost the recent senatorial by-election in Massachusetts — a sign of public uncertainty about the healthcare system and other matters — Obama is not looking ahead to the next election. He might even be burning bridges by insisting on tackling a major problem rather than ingratiating himself with voters and Congress.
By comparison, Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yaung Chih-liang (楊志良), who wants to raise premiums to cover funding shortages, is being accused of taking the public’s hard-earned money without so much as calling in debts owed by Taipei and Kaohsiung cities. Taipei’s debt to the national healthcare system stands at more than NT$34 billion (US$1.06 billion), while Kaohsiung’s is NT$16 billion. These debts have taken an undeniable toll on the health insurance system. Significantly, Ma is partly responsible for Taipei’s role in this conundrum.
Ma should look to Obama, who acknowledges public anger, and ask himself whether he is listening to the public — and whether he understands its point of view. Government reform will remain at a standstill until Ma stops making re-election his top priority. And if the government starts delivering a quality administration, maybe then the public will reward Ma by re-electing him.
There is a modern roadway stretching from central Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa, to the partially recognized state’s Egal International Airport. Emblazoned on a gold plaque marking the road’s inauguration in July last year, just below the flags of Somaliland and the Republic of China (ROC), is the road’s official name: “Taiwan Avenue.” The first phase of construction of the upgraded road, with new sidewalks and a modern drainage system to reduce flooding, was 70 percent funded by Taipei, which contributed US$1.85 million. That is a relatively modest sum for the effect on international perception, and
At the end of last year, a diplomatic development with consequences reaching well beyond the regional level emerged. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, paving the way for political, economic and strategic cooperation with the African nation. The diplomatic breakthrough yields, above all, substantial and tangible benefits for the two countries, enhancing Somaliland’s international posture, with a state prepared to champion its bid for broader legitimacy. With Israel’s support, Somaliland might also benefit from the expertise of Israeli companies in fields such as mineral exploration and water management, as underscored by Israeli Minister of
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) challenges and ignores the international rules-based order by violating Taiwanese airspace using a high-flying drone: This incident is a multi-layered challenge, including a lawfare challenge against the First Island Chain, the US, and the world. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) defines lawfare as “controlling the enemy through the law or using the law to constrain the enemy.” Chen Yu-cheng (陳育正), an associate professor at the Graduate Institute of China Military Affairs Studies, at Taiwan’s Fu Hsing Kang College (National Defense University), argues the PLA uses lawfare to create a precedent and a new de facto legal
Chile has elected a new government that has the opportunity to take a fresh look at some key aspects of foreign economic policy, mainly a greater focus on Asia, including Taiwan. Still, in the great scheme of things, Chile is a small nation in Latin America, compared with giants such as Brazil and Mexico, or other major markets such as Colombia and Argentina. So why should Taiwan pay much attention to the new administration? Because the victory of Chilean president-elect Jose Antonio Kast, a right-of-center politician, can be seen as confirming that the continent is undergoing one of its periodic political shifts,
RSS