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Soong attacks DPP on economic front, faults president for being too `inactive'

People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) yesterday continued his onslaught on what he called the "inactive DPP administration" in an attempt to drum up support for fellow legislative candidates.

Soong compared the government to a train which has gone nowhere in a year-and-a-half.

"Rather than seeking to end administrative inefficiency, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has blamed opposition parties for failing to lend a helping hand," Soong told a crowd of supporters in Taoyuan.

"What do we need a president for?" he asked

The PFP, a splinter group of the former ruling KMT, hopes to increase its representation in the legislature from 19 seats to 40 in the Dec. 1 elections.

To achieve greater representation, the PFP has built its campaign around economic issues, and depicted the Chen administration as incapable of reversing the economic downturn.

"Since the power transfer, Chen has complained about inheriting an old house [the government] that is plagued by leaks and rats," Soong said while stumping for PFP lawmaker Cheng Chin-ling (鄭金玲), who is seeking a second term in Taoyuan.

"The house, if not carefully taken care of, may soon be auctioned by the court," Soong said.

He predicted that the unemployment rate, now at 5.26 percent, could hit 6 percent later this year, with about 1 million people affected by lack of regular income.

The PFP has pledged to push in the legislature for low-interest loans for the unemployed after the December polls.

He asked voters to help the PFP expand its presence in the lawmaking body, if they agree with the measures the party has proposed.

The PFP has also promised to enact legislative changes that would free the unemployed from the burden of national health insurance premiums.

Soong said, if he enters the legislature, he will demand that the legislature be briefed about his policy goals. As a candidate-at-large, Soong may be given a seat in the legislature through proportional representation.

"The US president has to consult the Congress over key policy issues whereas our president is not subject to legislative oversight," Soong said. "Let's change the practice and make Chen more responsible in the future."
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