Film to care about
A 37-second short film called Freeze Not the Care (長照不能凍) is part of a film project in Taiwan Action’s civilian recall movement targeting Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers. The project is backed by hundreds of representatives from the movie industry and the film — which shows the effect of KMT-led efforts to freeze and cut government funding affecting elderly care — has struck a powerful chord since its release.
The eye-catching film was coproduced by Golden Bell Award-winning screenwriter Chen Shih-chieh (陳世杰) — dubbed the “God of War” after his fiery confrontation with KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) — and Taipei Film Award-winning cinematographer Chou I-wen (周以文).
Chen said that he centered the recall campaign productions on long-term care — an issue that resonates deeply with the public. Chen said that before his father passed away two years ago, he experienced the government’s long-term care services firsthand. He was impressed by the efficiency of the application process and came to appreciate the vital role the services play for families in need.
“Don’t freeze long-term care; remove the pro-China lawmakers,” Chen said, capturing the real impact of recent budget cuts pushed by KMT and Taiwan People’s Party legislators.
Chen’s short, but thought-provoking film delivers the message in a straightforward way.
The UN’s Report on Ageism, first published in 2021, said that “countering ageism and eliminating age discrimination is a starting point for the full enjoyment of the human rights of older persons.”
“There cannot be dignity and equality of rights if older persons continue to be viewed primarily as beneficiaries of care and support that create pressure on budgets and resources,” said Claudia Mahler, the primary contributor to the report and a UN Independent Expert on the human rights of elderly people.
All countries should accelerate the regulatory process of policies, legislations and concrete measures to fight back against all forms of discrimination based on age, she said.
As Taiwan steadily moves toward becoming a super-aged society — when elderly people are one in every five citizens — young people find themselves as caregivers while also having to manage their own well-being.
“Regardless of your political ideology and leanings, people age,” Chen said. “If we don’t stand up for our rights now, we risk being left to fend for ourselves later, imposing even more stress on our family members who still need to make ends meet.”
“When that time comes, even the basic dignity of relieving ourselves can be challenging,” he said. “Just being pushed outside in a wheelchair to feel the sun can become a distant luxury.”
From the successful global reform of balancing resource allocation and fiscal responsibility, a well-framed policy on long-term care for elderly people should feature the empowering of family members to play a mediating role in elderly care.
In addition, a hybrid approach to policymaking of blending market mechanisms with public welfare sided with the privatization of care can take the economic pressure off the government and caregiving families, ensuring dignity and support for those in need.
As society changes, the government must shoulder responsibilities that have been disregarded, aiming to support people who do not have family or social connections so that they can live independently.
With this in mind, it is the responsibility of all to safeguard Taiwan by removing legislators who overlook public opinion and paralyze the country.
Hsueh Kuang-tse
Taipei
Action needed over KMT
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Deputy Chairman Sean Lien (連勝文) went to China again — shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries and discussing cooperation. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has not changed, yet Lien appeared to be more comfortable there, as if he were visiting home.
So what is this about being “anti-communist” and protecting Taiwan? That has never been Lien’s line. He even once publicly said: “If you want to oppose the CCP, go protest at the Zhongnanhai government complex in Beijing.”
At least he is straightforward — as the KMT’s deputy chairman, Lien understands his party’s true direction better than anyone.
It is only natural that KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) did not speak up. There was nothing for him to say. This was not a slip of the tongue — it was a collective understanding.
The KMT is supposed to be part of a democratic society, yet it holds a one-party dictatorship in such high esteem. That is not political diversity — it is capitulation.
Those who stand alongside the CCP choose to make an enemy of freedom and democracy. If the public remains silent, Taiwan would ultimately have no ground to stand on.
Only by staying clear-headed and taking swift action can Taiwanese protect the land beneath their feet.
Shih Li
Tainan
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