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Chen makes appeal to get out the youth vote

Members of DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian's volunteer youth corps prepare for a skit performance during yesterday's release of his youth policy. Chen has dubbed his policy "listening to the five big wishes of youth." Five is Chen's campaign number. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday gave details of his policy for youth, promising that those who pay college fees would get a tax break.

Chen was giving "high-fives" to a group of young people during a press conference in Taipei, while telling them that not only do they have the right to vote, but that their voices are important.

Chen announced that he would seek a reduction in taxes for those who must pay college tuition in a move to give the younger generation a better opportunity to receive higher education.

He also reiterated an earlier promise to offer low-interest loans to first-time home-buyers. Chen also said that he wanted to give free medical care to children under the age of three.

On a different front, Chen said he advocates a computerized, open bidding system for government projects.

This method, Chen said, would save more than NT$100 billion from the current budget by eliminating the element of corruption. The idea was first proposed by Formosa Plastics (台塑).

He added that he will give each elderly citizen at least NT$3,000 a month as a cost-of-living stipend. The total cost of NT$18 billion would come from savings in the budget, Chen said.

As Chen is the youngest presidential candidate, he stressed that he feels obligated to offer the young people in the country "trust, opportunity, fairness and responsibility."

According to various public opinion polls, the DPP has remained the most popular party with young voters.
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