Opposition must cooperate
In a television interview, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou(馬英九) said premier-designate Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) cannot solve the problems in the legislature through vigor alone. Voters already know this, without being told by the star politician.
Taiwan's legislature has been called "the source of chaos." The opposition parties led by the KMT control the legislature and are blocking everything the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government proposes -- including weapons acquisition and annual national budgets -- for the sake of opposition. The KMT should be given "the most distinguished opposition party" award.
When the KMT was in power, they ran the country under the dictatorship of one-party rule. Although the KMT is not in power now, it is still trying to run the country through the legislature. Is this what the rotation of political parties between opposition and governing parties should really be all about? Ignoring national security and the economy, the opposition parties do whatever they can to make the government inefficient, in the hopes of regaining political power. But this strategy is likely to backfire in 2008.
Many people criticize President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) for changing premiers too often. For a young party like the DPP which is in power for the first time, the frequent change of premiers and Cabinet members is a good way to train leaders and encourage better job performance. "Let others try it," is one of Chen's campaign pledges.
The opposition parties should change their attitude from blanket opposition to cooperation with the new Cabinet for the sake of Taiwan and the principle of democracy. All players must follow the rules of the game or be disqualified. Voters are the best judges in the political arena. Let's also start calling the legislature "the source of harmony."
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
Give the DPP a morale boost
How long incoming premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will stay in his new job is beside the point. Regardless of whether Su makes an impact, his job or that of any DPP premier will end in 2008 anyway. ("Wang urges Su to ease tension," Jan. 20, page 3).
For the KMT, including Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Wang's call for Su to be more "diligent" and more "sincere" sounds like a wolf's call. As if Su is less diligent and sincere than Wang.
In truth, the wolf just wants to be able to eat the sheep more easily.
There is no better way for Su to boost the DPP's morale than to win a few small victories and establish better communication. In the real estate business, the three most important things are location, location and location. For Su, it's communication, communication and communication.
The Kaohsiung and Taipei mayoral elections are important. But if Su can win one or two of the following things, it will set a good tone for the DPP leading into 2008.
First, Chiayi will have a by-election to fill a vacant legislative seat.
Second, Su should call on a few independent legislators to secure local or Taiwanese interests.
Third, the party could cooperate with locals to recall a few pan-blue legislators who do not reflect local Taiwanese interests.
Achieve these and the DPP will be unstoppable in 2008.
Chen Ming-chung
Chicago, Illinois
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