Stop ignoring Sanders
The Taipei Times and the rest of the media need to stop ignoring US Senator Bernie Sanders. The Taipei Times recently printed an editorial (“Clinton takes debt-free higher education from progressive to mainstream,” Aug. 14, page 9) that also appeared in The Guardian, which talked about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s plan to make university in the US more affordable. It only mentioned Sanders twice. The rest of the editorial was about Clinton. Clinton’s plan is to reduce student loan debt. Sanders’ plan is to make university free. This is yet another example where the US is wrong and other wealthy democracies are right. University is already free in Germany and Scandinavia.
Another example is that everyone in Taiwan, Canada, Europe and Japan has healthcare. The US still does not have universal healthcare. Another example is that Taiwan, Canada, Europe and Japan all have strict gun laws and less gun violence than the US. The US does not have strict gun laws and they have more gun violence than Taiwan, Canada, Europe and Japan.
I previously believed that Republican candidate Jeb Bush would be the next president. That was before Sanders entered the race. Sanders is to the left of Clinton and draws the biggest crowds. Just like US President Barack Obama did back in 2008 when many thought that President Hillary was inevitable. And Sanders has an advantage that Obama did not: the Republican primary. Bush will be the nominee because it is his turn, he is the establishment and he is the most boring. Just like Mitt Romney. And he will lose just like Romney. Sanders will be the next US president. Stop ignoring him.
Andres Chang
Taipei
Two major Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-People’s Liberation Army (PLA) power demonstrations in November 2024 highlight the urgency for Taiwan to pursue a military buildup and deterrence agenda that can take back control of its destiny. First, the CCP-PLA’s planned future for Taiwan of war, bloody suppression, and use as a base for regional aggression was foreshadowed by the 9th and largest PLA-Russia Joint Bomber Exercise of Nov. 29 and 30. It was double that of previous bomber exercises, with both days featuring combined combat strike groups of PLA Air Force and Russian bombers escorted by PLAAF and Russian fighters, airborne early warning
On Tuesday, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a statement criticizing Song Siyao (宋思瑤), a student from Shanghai’s Fudan University, saying she had offended the sensibilities of Taiwanese. It also called for the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation — established by former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) — which had organized the tour group, to remind group members to be careful with their statements. Song, during a visit to a baseball stadium in Taichung, said that the tour group “would like to congratulate China, Taipei team (中國台北隊) ... we wish mainland China and Taiwan compatriots can be like the team Chinatrust Brothers and
For three years and three months, Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has remained stalled. On Nov. 29, members meeting in Vancouver agreed to establish a working group for Costa Rica’s entry — the fifth applicant in line — but not for Taiwan. As Taiwan’s prospects for CPTPP membership fade due to “politically sensitive issues,” what strategy should it adopt to overcome this politically motivated economic exclusion? The situation is not entirely dim; these challenges offer an opportunity to reimagine the export-driven country’s international trade strategy. Following the US’ withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
“Integrated Diplomacy” (總和外交) is the guiding principle of Taiwan’s current foreign policy. It seeks to mobilize technology, capital and talent for global outreach, strengthening Taiwan’s international connections. However, without a robust information security mechanism, such efforts risk being reduced to superficial courtesy calls. Security clearance serves as the “entrance examination results” for government agency personnel in sensitive positions, qualifying them to access sensitive information. Senior aides in the US Congress must also possess security clearance to assist lawmakers in handling classified budgets. However, security clearance is not an automatic right or a blanket necessity for accessing sensitive information. Access is granted only
RSS