The referendum has become a matter of choosing sides for political parties and a loyalty test for party members!!
There’s an admirable phrase: “following public opinion.” For a party member, how much speculation and criticism must they endure behind this statement? Just as successful people are often lonely! At least in my heart, I deeply admire him; this is the level of statesmanship a local official should have. Only someone who respects public opinion can truly listen to it.
“Only insecure people question others”—we often use this phrase to satirize a negative person. However, this referendum showed me a party: the beginning of a defeat before the battle even started. The post-war dissatisfaction was like a child’s tantrum, speaking words of defeat and refusal to accept the outcome.
The key to this win or loss wasn’t which party’s propaganda was more effective, but rather the overall situation created the referendum results.
Core Controversy of the Issues
“Environmental protection, energy saving, and carbon reduction” have become goals for countries to accelerate green energy. Regarding the activation of Nuclear Plant 4, where exactly should the nuclear waste be placed? Instead of a referendum on activating the plant, wouldn’t a referendum on “where to put the nuclear waste” be more meaningful? No one ever dares to raise this issue; after all, who wants to coexist with poison, especially a poison for which there is no vaccine?
Everyone knows that electricity is the foundation of a nation’s economy. Taiwan’s current economic focus is on TSMC; every day the stock market revolves around it. Why not change the nuclear restart referendum to “Nuclear waste at TSMC”? I wonder which party would then dare to endorse a “Yes” or “No” vote?
This referendum was fundamentally meaningless; the problem was never about restarting or not!
Earlier this year, the pineapple incident almost destroyed the hard work of fruit farmers; thanks to friendly Japan for stepping up. In this era of the ever-changing COVID-19, the “principle of reciprocity” has become the standard for how countries open their doors. Is it that we lack confidence in our own inspections, or are we opposing ractopamine pork just because it’s from the US?
The most common question when problems arise is why things are different now than they were before. Situations change. Lithuania didn’t have a representative office in Taiwan before, but now it does. Why didn’t anyone propose a referendum on that, or stand up to loudly disagree!
“Importing ractopamine pork and exporting Taiwanese pork” is the reciprocity principle many in the pig farming industry hope for. Which official has the courage to speak up for these businesses?
A Call to Taiwanese Society
Many issues are being dragged down by partisan colors. The pandemic has thrown the world into chaos, and people’s psychological anxiety has become a flag for parties to wave. We should think deeply about who is truly looking out for the people!
The older generation often says the South is Deep Green because it’s working-class, while the North is Deep Blue because it’s white-collar. Today’s Taiwan is no longer what it was. Please stop dividing by North and South; today’s Taiwanese are logical and thoughtful.
If we fear our neighbor’s verbal attacks and military intimidation, let’s demonstrate our unity and value. Don’t fall into chaos and decline before the enemy even arrives. Despite such internal chaos, if the neighbor is still willing to go to the great trouble of frequently circling Taiwan, I can only say they think quite highly of my country.
This referendum proved not the win or loss of a party, but the situation. It’s a sign that the people are no longer willing to be party puppets, and it further proves the fact of wasting taxpayer money.
The four “No” votes won; there’s nothing to be proud of. The four “Yes” votes lost; there’s nothing to curse about.
Only by uniting Taiwan can there be a better day. Only officials who follow public opinion truly understand the voices of the people!