The KMT’s winter of chaos
As a cold air mass arrived from China during the weekend of the winter solstice, I was originally in high spirits, with a craving for glutinous rice balls (tangyuan, 湯圓). However, my joy was overshadowed by the chaos in the Legislative Yuan, which shrouded me in the winter’s cold and unforgiving atmosphere. I could not help but worry whether Taiwan’s democracy would become damaged beyond repair.
Since the start of the legislative session, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party legislators have leveraged their numerical advantage to blatantly and repeatedly propose outrageous, constitution-damaging bills that undermine our governance. If this lack of restraint continues, the Chinese Communist Party could simply watch the flames from afar and collect the spoils without lifting a finger. Over time, Taiwan risks falling prey to China — the lessons to be drawn from Hong Kong’s experience should not be ignored.
However, to protect their livelihoods, most kind and diligent Taiwanese must live on as usual, working their daily jobs to earn money and bring food to the table. This is understandable — but at the same time, the latest developments in the Legislative Yuan are inextricable from their own self-interest.
All laws written and implemented would eventually affect the people. Erroneous, misguided and even regressive laws would leave generational impacts. It is thanks to the many pioneers that spent their lives fighting for Taiwan’s democracy that our country has come this far today. As the new generation, reaping the benefits of their sacrifices, could we really allow our indifference to destroy Taiwan’s democracy?
In the next election, earnestly and carefully choose candidates whose ideas would lead to national progress and who understand and value democracy and rule of law.
KMT legislators should think of the people they serve and turn back before it is too late. In keeping with the spirit of the winter solstice, here is some food for thought: “A blind person eating tangyuan knows what is inside.”
When it comes to the KMT’s schemes, the public sees the truth in their hearts.
Liu Ping-sheng,
Taipei
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