|
EDITORIAL: Time for a
resolution or two
Today is New Year¡¦s Eve and we thought we would embrace the Western tradition of
making resolutions for the New Year, or rather coming up with resolutions we
think others should make.
First, we would like lawmakers on all sides to remember that they were elected
to represent their constituents rather than their parties (that is what
legislators-at-large are there for) and finally realize that they are paid to
engage in debate and pass legislation, not to make big-character posters and
flyers to decorate the legislature.
We would like to see lawmakers resolve to do research, or to have their
assistants do some, so that the next time a legislator wants to score political
points against a rival, it can be backed up by certifiable proof for them to
pontificate about.
We would like to see the media, both print and broadcast, actually question
lawmakers, government officials, politicians and others about the sources and
data they use, not just accept their word for it.
We would like to see the government, lawmakers and the judiciary resolve to
enact the Judicial Reform Association¡¦s reform plan so that the nation will
finally have a truly independent and qualified judiciary that includes judges
with real-life experience, not just experts at passing exams.
We would like to see the government resolve to favor people and the environment
over developers and corporations when it comes to construction projects along
the east coast and at other scenic spots. If the coast and mountains are covered
in concrete, few tourists are going to want to visit, no matter how many luxury
resorts are built. If there is little sea life left, the government¡¦s
(ludicrous) dream of competing with other Asian countries for tourist dollars
will fail even faster than its silicon hub plan.
We would like to see the government resolve to respect Aborigines and their
claim to self-government and land rights.
On behalf of the animals, both domesticated, stray and wild, we hope Taiwanese
resolve to respect all forms of life and take better care of the four-footed,
clawed and finned creatures that live with and around them. We would like to see
the catch-neuter-release program for strays widely adopted, instead of catch,
abuse/neglect and destroy.
We would like the people and the leadership of Taiwan and China to resolve to
keep the peace, without arguing over who is more right. We would like to see the
¡§status quo¡¨ respected and see politicians worry less about their place in the
history books.
On behalf of the Chinese, we hope that after the leadership transition next
year, those residing in Zhongnanhai will resolve to feel a little bit less
paranoid and start allowing people the right to express themselves and practice
their religion openly, both of which are rights theoretically guaranteed by
China¡¦s Constitution.
We also hope that Chinese resolve to become a little less sensitive, so their
spokespeople do not have to talk about how their feelings have been hurt every
time someone looks at them cross-eyed or tells Beijing to start acting like a
grown-up.
On behalf of the Egyptians, we hope the military will resolve to hand over power
to an elected government. In the meantime, we hope it will teach its troops to
respect the right of protesters to disagree and to stop shooting demonstrators
and conducting humiliating and illegal ¡§virginity tests¡¨ on women.
On behalf of the Syrians, we hope the government will resolve to stop shooting
their own people.
On behalf of the North Koreans, we hope their new ¡§leader¡¨ will not feel the
need to demonstrate his machismo by firing missiles or staging a provocation. We
also hope that he will resolve to start feeding his people so that he won¡¦t be
the only chubby person in the country.
We could go on, but you get the idea.
What resolutions could you make that would help this nation, this world be a
better place?
|
