As a result of Premier Yu Shyi-kun's decisiveness, an issue that has been discussed for more than 10 years is finally about to be resolved. The income-tax exemptions enjoyed by public-school teachers and military personnel over the past five decades are about to end. Once that is accomplished, it will no longer be legally permissible for anyone to enjoy immunity from the most fundamental and sacred duty of every citizen of this country -- to pay taxes.
The tax exemption for teachers and soldiers was the product of a very unique period in Taiwan's history. When the KMT regime retreated to Taiwan decades ago, a large number individuals from all walks of life poured into Taiwan from the other side of the Strait to escape communist rule. How to help these individuals settle down in Taiwan naturally became a very pressing task. In a state of financial chaos at the time, the government had no money to feed so many people. Therefore, people were encouraged to take jobs as public-school teachers. Unable to pay high wages to teachers and soldiers, the government used the tax exemption as an economic incentive to attract individuals to teaching jobs and pacify increasingly restless soldiers.
The KMT realized the importance of winning the hearts of the teachers and soldiers in order to secure a firm footing in Taiwan. Living in a Taiwan that had just been release from 50 years of Japanese colonization, the KMT regime knew that most Taiwanese did not really identify with China, the country it claimed to represent. It urgently needed to rely on the teachers to help shape and install that sense of national identification in the new generation of Taiwanese. The importance of a loyal military in the face of a potential invasion from communist forces went without saying.
However, the situation in Taiwan nowadays is completely different. To begin with, the wages of public-school teachers and soldiers are in general comparable with those working in the private sector. Besides, if one takes into account job stability, the various generous benefits available and, in the case of public-school teachers, paid winter and summer vacations, one can hardly say that these jobs are under-compensated. As Taiwanese culture traditionally gives the utmost respect to teachers, a teaching position in a public school has become a very attractive job for virtually everyone. Frequently, thousands of applicants compete for each teaching position.
Besides, from the perspective of social justice, it seems unfair for anyone to be exempt from paying taxes as a result of his or her status or profession. Paying taxes ought to be a duty imposed on everyone equally. Even the president of this country pays taxes.
With duty comes rights. The taxpayers are the real "big bosses" of this country. The tax exemption essentially puts teachers and servicemen in a very awkward position. Without any question, they make enormous contributions to this country, but don't members of other professions contribute as well? How can teachers tell children about the duties and rights of "taxpayers" when they themselves are not paying taxes?
On the other hand, it is also unfair to cut the incomes of teachers and servicemen as a result of the new policy. Therefore, the government proposal for adjusting the wages of teachers and servicemen to compensate for the new taxes is a sensible move.
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