Ten reasons to vote for Chen
I am not a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). I have lived in the US for a long time now.
But I love Taiwan; I am also concerned about the future of Taiwan.
Like many Taiwanese here in the US, I believe that the March presidential election will be a very important turning point in the history of Taiwan.
If the DPP wins, Taiwan will be able to deepen its democracy and remain free. If pro-China factions win, Taiwan will lose its vitality and freedom, and there will no longer be another chance for Taiwan to stand up again.
I know you will make the right choice. I also hope that you will urge your family and friends to vote for the DPP for the following reasons:
One, President Chen Shui-bian (
Do not be fooled by propaganda from the pro-China camp. For the sake of Taiwan, please vote for A-bian (
Two, if the pro-China camp wins, they will soon allow more and more capital and jobs to move to China, and Taiwan will quickly drain to the bottom.
Maybe a few capitalists can squeeze some money from cheap Chinese labor.
But the majority of Taiwanese will suffer. For the sake of the nation's economic future, it is better to vote for the DPP!
Three, after Taiwan's doors are fully opened to China by pro-China forces, Taiwan will not be able to defend itself. Taiwan will have to live at the mercy of China like Hong Kong, or even worse. To preserve Taiwan's independence and dignity, we must support the DPP.
Four, Taiwan has a gentler and kinder "oceanic" culture. Taiwanese are generally very nice, peaceful and law-abiding. We quietly endured 38 brutal years of oppression and martial law.
But now we have democracy, and many pro-China camp supporters are very angry.
They often gang up with each other to create various disturbances.
They sprayed red ink on former president Lee Teng-hui (
They even physically attacked pro-democracy scholars. If the DPP is defeated, radical elements in the pro-China camp will be emboldened to become more militant and cause even more trouble.
For the sake of peace and social stability, please vote for the DPP!
Five, today Chen is our president. But pro-Chinese forces in the government, the educational system and the mass media are still in control of our society.
They smear the DPP administration, ignore all the good things the DPP has done and exaggerate our problems. Do not believe the lies reported by the pro-China camp. Have confidence in Taiwan, and vote for the DPP!
Six, the difficulties we have faced in the past three years have mainly been created by the previous regime, the worldwide recession and the flight of capital to China.
But the DPP is really doing a good job. State-run enterprises used to lose money all the time. Now they are beginning to make money.
Recently I was proud to see a series of special reports on US TV titled Taiwan, Island of Innovation, which described the wonderful progress in Taiwan.
A recent report by the World Economic Forum rated the nation's economic competitiveness at No. 5 in the world, and the best among all Asian nations.
We are ahead of Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Yet the pro-China media keeps saying that the DPP is no good. Do not discredit the good guys. Voting for the DPP is the right thing to do.
Seven, the DPP has only been in power for three years. They have faced strong resistance and sabotage from pro-China and anti-Taiwan forces. Three years are not enough to tackle all the problems facing Taiwan. Give Taiwan a chance to succeed.
Reject any ill-intentioned call for a change in the regime now. Support the DPP in their fight with the pro-China/anti-Taiwan forces.
Eight, Taiwan is an independent sovereign nation.
It is actually very strong. Its friends have military forces that can be projected into the Taiwan Strait area within a few hours.
In today's global village, no nation can arbitrarily attack another nation. There is no need to be intimidated by China and give up our freedom, dignity and sovereignty.
Just vote for A-bian to show our solidarity.
Nine, if Taiwan is put under the "one China" roof by pro-China forces, the island will be used as a military base for Chinese expansion into the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The US, Japan and other nations will not just surrender.
When they counterattack, Taiwan will become a horrible battlefield. It is better to maintain independent status forever. For the long-term safety of Taiwan, it is better to vote for the DPP and support Taiwan's sovereignty.
Ten, when Chen first took office, he was forced by pro-China forces to temporarily forget about long-term planning for Taiwan.
But now he is beginning to fight for the future, and the people like it very much. It appears that he has a good chance to win.
But he needs to win big. This presidential election is in fact a plebiscite on the future of Taiwan. If he wins big, it will send a very loud and clear message to China and all other nations in the world that Taiwanese are determined to be free and independent.
This message can prevent China from miscalculating and enhance future security.
For the sake of peace, security and prosperity, please cast your sacred vote for Chen.
Lee Kem-Zen
Portland, Oregon
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