The present POLITICAL chaos in Taiwan stems from the Legislative Yuan, as it does not accurately reflect the will of the majority. Rather, Taiwanese find themselves in a doomsday scenario where a minority of legislators are bullying the majority of citizens. However, why does the legislature not accurately reflect majority public opinion?
First, the legislative election contravened the fundamental human right of equal voting power. Compared with other legislators, how many votes did independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅) have? What about Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍)? The value of votes is clearly not equal, yet voting rights are treated as equal. That practice is incorrect, as it contravenes the fundamental human rights of the majority. It must be corrected — otherwise, it would be impossible for the results of votes in the Legislative Yuan to truly reflect public opinion.
Second, there should be a way to get rid of at-large legislators. In democratic countries, rights come from the people — there should not exist a position where an elected official is free to do as they please, entirely exempt from recall or removal once they take office. That contravenes foundational democratic principles. Taiwan is not a monarchy. All representatives must be subject to reasonable limitations and adhere to recall motions and exit mechanisms — otherwise, there would be no remedy when an at-large legislator deviates from public opinion and is unsuited to represent the people.
Last, there must be reasonable regulations set for legislators. Those convicted of indecency, gang activity, financial crimes or fraud are not suited to serve as legislators. Such people are the lowest in society — so how is it that the lowest of the low can represent the opinions of honest citizens? That is not normal in a democracy.
Today, the Legislative Yuan does not regulate criminals in the legislature, lacks an exit mechanism for at-large legislators and possesses an electoral system that contravenes the principle of equal voting power. As a result, it is full of gangsters, fraudsters and financial criminals — puppets of the Chinese Communist Party. It is only natural that the Legislative Yuan does not reflect the will of the public. How could such a political scene be anything but chaotic?
Mike Chang is an accountant.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
Source: Taipei Times - Editorials 2024/12/31
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