Recent distressing events and boiling discussions online have pushed Mr. Lai Rui-long, a current legislator of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who is rumored to be planning to run for the next Kaohsiung Mayor, to the forefront. We must seriously ask: “Where is the legitimacy for a public representative who cannot show basic empathy and refuses to apologize to the victims’ families to hold public office?”
Harm to Children: Society’s Bottom Line Cannot Be Retreated
“No matter how dirty the adult world is, it cannot be tolerated as long as children are harmed.” This sentence should be the most basic consensus of social conscience and a moral bottom line that all public representatives must adhere to.
When social events lead to harm to innocent children, as a member of the national legislative body of the Republic of China, Legislator Lai Rui-long should stand on the side that most supports and protects victims, and take the most modest attitude and the most resolute action to uphold justice and soothe the pain.
However, what we have seen in the event is a haughty stance, cold processing, and disregard for the demands of the victims’ families. Such behavior not only hurts individual families but also challenges the collective perception of “justice” and “empathy” in the entire society.
The power of a legislator comes from the trust of the people, and this trust is predicated on tolerance for the disadvantaged and reflection on mistakes.
The Duty of a Legislator: Humbly Representing the People, Not Being High Above
Legislators are spokespersons for the people, and their duty lies in reflecting public opinion, supervising the government, and speaking for the rights and interests of the people.
But the haughty attitude, refusal to apologize, and lack of tolerance shown by Legislator Lai Rui-long in handling related controversies have completely deviated from the core spirit of a “people’s representative.”
- What is representing the people? Representing the people means one must bend down to listen to and understand the suffering and anger of the people. When behavior or speech causes harm, a sincere “I’m sorry” is the minimum responsibility.
- No tolerance? For families seeking help in pain, the legislator not only failed to provide warm support but also treated them with indifference or even contempt. How can a person who lacks tolerance for the basic emotions of the people and reflection on their own mistakes be qualified to make laws and seek welfare for the people in the halls of the legislature?
Losing Legitimacy: The Voice of the People Should Not Be Ignored
The series of performances by Legislator Lai Rui-long has caused him to lose the moral and political legitimacy to continue serving as a legislator.
A public representative who cannot take the pain of the people to heart, cannot lower their stance to apologize to the victims’ families, and only responds to controversies with a political posture and power arrogance has proved that there is an unbridgeable gap between him and the “people” he should represent.
The people vote to give you power, not for you to use it to build high walls and isolate the people. Your power must be used for justice, goodness, and tolerance. When these basic core values are abandoned, we have the right to ask you to examine yourself and give up this sacred position.
Legislator Lai Rui-long, please ask your heart: facing those families who are still bleeding, are you really still qualified to stand in the halls of the legislature and represent the kind people on this land? We demand a legislator who can understand the sentiments of the people and be humbly responsible.