Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) on Sunday said that he expects the NT$6,000 that is to be distributed to all Taiwanese citizens and qualifying foreign residents as part of a tax rebate in a special budget could be given out as early as the middle of April.
According to news reports, people are to be given three options through which they can receive the cash: They can apply online, withdraw it from ATMs or receive it over the counter at a post office.
I would like to have the option to return the money as a donation to the government to go toward the purchase of defensive weapons, be it the US-made M136 Volcano Vehicle-Launched Scatterable Mine System that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) seems so intent on blocking, or Patriot air-defense missiles. The more the government buys of these, the safer Taiwan will be.
I suggest that on the Web site where people are to apply for the handout, following confirmation of the applicant’s identity, an “other” button should appear, tucked away somewhere in the corner so that the opposition parties cannot accuse the government of moral blackmail. On clicking this, the applicant would be given the option to donate the amount, in full or in part, to the government, to be used for national defense or provide aid for the financially disadvantaged.
The government could also consider providing a grace period of one month, allowing people to withdraw the donation offer should they change their mind. During the grace period, the government could send reminders to people, through e-mail or text according to the information entered at the time of the application, to confirm their decision.
Taiwanese want peace, but peace depends on one’s ability to protect oneself. Of course, the handouts would be returned to the government coffers if people do not collect it, but I believe that Taiwanese would be more likely to donate the money if they are given a say on how the donation would be spent.
Liu Ying is a physician.
Translated by Paul Cooper
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