After seven months as vice chairman of the Council for Cultural Affairs, Luo Wen-chia (
"It will be a totally new beginning for me, and the decision will lead to a drastic change in my life. But I feel it's my calling," Luo said yesterday during an interview with the Taipei Times.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
"I'm concerned about the bitter opposition and the quality of lawmakers in the legislature," Luo said, adding that the DPP's minority position in the legislature made it difficult for the Executive Yuan to carry out its policies. "These reasons explain my decision."
To avoid being labeled a "fence sitter," Luo said he would submit his letter of resignation on Monday. Luo said that once the cultural council finds someone to replace him, he'll step down immediately.
"I know it does not take a whole year to prepare for the election, but as long as I have this idea, I have to quit [my current position] right away to prevent people from saying that I am straddling two horses at the same time."
Luo, who has been a principle aide to Chen for almost a decade, has already grabbed the media spotlight for his decision to run for a legislative seat. He'll be the first from Chen's circle of young aides to be tested in the court of public opinion.
A tough campaigner for Chen and renowned for his innovative ideas, how Luo fares in his own campaign will be closely scrutinized by the media and politicians alike.
According to Luo, although he has a keen interest in cultural issues, his current position wasn't suitable to realize his ambitions.
"After seven months, I've run into some difficulties and frustration. A primary problem is that cultural affairs are not considered a highly important issue in the government, which has made it difficult for me to execute my plans," he said.
"I like to dream -- and this is the driving force behind me to push me forward. In the old days, I dreamed one day there would be a transfer of power so that I could devote my energy to make this country a better place. Now that the chance has come, I kind of find myself trapped in a position where my ability can not be brought into full play."
Once in the legislature, Luo hopes to call more attention to issues that he says are often ignored.
"In the past, when the DPP was the opposition, Taiwan seemed to be a more vibrant place where issues such as environmental protection or women's rights received more attention."
But since the DPP took over, the media has relentlessly been focused on financial issues and the government's efforts to boost the stock market and the nation's economy.
"I worry about what would happen to us if such values continue to dominate society. I think politicians and the media should be blamed for today's situation because that's all they talk about," Luo said.
The would-be legislator promised that, if elected, he would be a "different kind of political figure," one that could foster a more tolerable political atmosphere.
"I don't know if I can achieve this goal, but that is my dream," he said.
Luo said that although Taiwan has come a long way -- gaining a free media and the direct election of legislators and the president, for example -- there was still much work that could be done.
"I feel what we should be concerned about at present is the quality of things -- the quality of the environment, the quality of our spiritual life and the quality of politics," he said.
"The transfer of power definitely brings instability, but good politicians should work together to curtail this period as best they can," Luo said. "I'm concerned about the hostility and harsh opposition in the legislature, and I would like to do my utmost to help improve the worsening political situation."
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