On Oct. 27 Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) declared that construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (
The announcement triggered serious arguments and acceler-ated the collaboration between the three major opposition parties. This kind of political crisis seems to exist over many issues, such as the stock market, environmental protection, economic policy and cross-strait relations. Such crises also affect the stability of Taiwan's political structure.
The Executive Yuan showed little respect to the Legislative Yuan. According to the Constitution, the Executive Yuan is the highest administrative body in charge of domestic affairs and the premier is accountable to the legislature. The legislature, representative of the will of the public, is in charge of policy-making, enactment of laws and balancing the governmental powers. However, the decision to halt the power plant totally dismissed a previous resolution by the legislature.
Many people feel skeptical about the government's decision-making mechanism since Chen was sworn in. Most would agree that the new government should be given more room to learn governing skills and opportunities to correct mistakes. But the government betrayed the principles of democracy, as demonstrated by its refusal to resolve the plant dispute through negotiations.
The behavior of the government has not only rocked the stability of Taiwan's political structure but also devastated our citizens' faith in it. People are concerned whether the president governs on the basis of democracy or solely in accordance with the DPP's party platform. If it is so, we want to know whether the same is true for Taiwan's cross-strait policy?
It is time that the government think about how to face the public and consider the suggestions made by the opposition. Trickery does not speak for the wisdom of a politician. Taiwan's prosperity is the product of a lot of effort and great hardship. Therefore, we hope that the government will engage in deep self-examination about how to create a good living environment in Taiwan.
Wang Yi-Hsuan
Taipei
I'm a 50 year-old medical doctor in Kaohsiung City. I don't think recalling President Chen would help Taiwan, nor will the opposition parties gain victory, unless victory is defined as the irreparable devastation of Taiwan!
What is the main theme of the present crisis? The nuclear power plant? If so, why don't we hold an open debate or a referendum to get the answer? If no, then what is it? Or is this a political murder plot dating back to the end of the presidential election? Considering that lower-level elected administrative officials can't be recalled within their first year in office, why is it possible to recall the president just five months into a four-year term?
Is this fair? Or is there anything fair and just in Taiwan?
Tiun Hok-chu
Kaohsiung
Tighten safety at CKS
Along with the rest of the world, I am distressed and saddened by the loss of life and enormous pain caused by the crash of the Singapore Airlines jet.
It is always fair to question the safety of airport operations after a major crash such as this. Rather than quietly allow the safety operations of CKS airport to stand up to scrutiny, Chang Yu-hern (張有恆), the director general of the Civil Aeronautics Administration was apparently "infuriated" over questions about safety at CKS airport. Chang may want to reflect on the fact that this disaster was completely avoidable. Had CKS officials properly closed the runway that was under repair, over 80 deaths and much suffering would have been averted. In addition to pilot error, a simple fact remains. The Singapore Airlines 747 had access to a closed runway.
There is a simple principle that is always in operation around us. The greater the risk, the greater the effort to guard against that risk -- a floor being washed often has a sign which says, "slippery when wet," open elevator shafts are blocked during maintenance and collapsed bridges are barricaded. Surely, given the enormous risk, some measure should have been taken to ensure that no plane could possibly taxi for take-off down a closed runway.
Like it or not, this is Taiwan's problem. In the coming days and weeks a simple question will arise over and over again. "Why was a closed runway accessible to a 747 jumbo jet?"
Mike Bigelow
Taichung
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