Taiwan's "beef" with America

[cityathrt]

I didn’t find this topic after a quick scan of the forums, but may have missed it. Apologies if this is already being discussed and please kindly point me to the right thread.

I was catching up on Taiwanese news just now and was a bit gobsmacked to see DPP’s antics in the Legislative Yuan. I’m used to the occasional screaming match and mob fights, and even remember making CNN’s global headlines because we had a bonafide food fight during a session, but what is this craziness of tying up chairs to block doors?

I’m currently overseas right now so not quite as up to speed on the news. I understand that there’s been an uproar with the discovery of certain chemicals in American beef, and that the legislators are due to vote on a bill regarding this subject. I’ve seen the calls from President Ma urging people to vote for it, with the DPP in vehement protest. But why is the DPP camping out, in full on pajamas and sleeping bags, and actually creating a blockade in front of the doors? Dodgy food imports crop up from time to time, what’s particularly infuriating about this one?

Thanks in advance for my enlightenment…

[Chris]

It's the kind of DPP whining and tactics regarding silly issues that made me lose respect for them long ago.

[Poagao]

It's "far-sighted thinking" on the part of the DPP. If they are successful in blocking the government's efforts now, Taiwan will most likely be unable to participate in trade talks with the US on many issues, damaging Taiwan's international competitiveness as well as souring relations with the US, which could also have an effect on things like US military spending on Taiwan as well as the US visa waiver timing. By 2016 the effects of this damage could be plain enough that the DPP could point at the KMT and say, "Look at the terrible state of things and how poor a job you've done!" in order to get into power (whereupon the KMT will likely engage in the same tactics).

It's not about health. I guarantee you the last biandang of anyone claiming it's about "safeguarding public health" was filled with more dangerous chemicals than US beef contains.

[finley]

But why is the DPP camping out, in full on pajamas and sleeping bags, and actually creating a blockade in front of the doors?

Is that a rhetorical question? What's amazing is that there are still people out there who actually vote for these clowns.

I think people most people have forgotten what the original issue was, including the willy-wavers in the legislature. Check out the ractopamine thread, anyway.

[fanglangzhe]

What's amazing is that there are still people out there who actually vote for these clowns.

You're asking why people still vote for DPP? Its because DPP stands for democratic values while KMT stands for authoritarianism. At least that's what most people on this forum would have you believe.

[finley]

Who cares what someone "stands for"? What matters is what they do. The KMT, so far, hasn't initiated any pogroms or started locking up political opponents - although quite frankly, a week in the pokey would be just what the doctor ordered for those DPP idiots who think throwing temper tantrums (or chairs, or shoes) is a valid form of debate. The DPP, sadly, couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery: the party is currently populated by uneducated hicks, ex-mafia types, and people with weird psychological problems. They have NO competent technocrats, managers, or thinkers.

Doesn't mean, of course, that that couldn't all change course with new people. The DPP was once a competent political force. The KMT were once a bunch of repressive thugs. But people come and go, even if the party names stay the same.

[Mucha Man]

The real enemy to progress in Taiwan remains the KMT-dominated legislative assembly. I'm glad this bit of theatre is amusing some, but the beef issue is not going to spill over and destroy progress in other areas unless the ruling power wants it to, or is too incompetent to handle some minor damage control.

[fanglangzhe]

The real enemy to progress in Taiwan remains the KMT-dominated legislative assembly. I'm glad this bit of theatre is amusing some, but the beef issue is not going to spill over and destroy progress in other areas unless the ruling power wants it to, or is too incompetent to handle some minor damage control.

Is it the KMT or DPP that is causing the gridlock and dis-functionality of the legislature?

[Mucha Man]

The real enemy to progress in Taiwan remains the KMT-dominated legislative assembly. I'm glad this bit of theatre is amusing some, but the beef issue is not going to spill over and destroy progress in other areas unless the ruling power wants it to, or is too incompetent to handle some minor damage control.

Is it the KMT or DPP that is causing the gridlock and dis-functionality of the legislature?

The DPP are responsible for this insignificant bit of gridlock. The KMT are responsible for not passing any of the executive's initiatives on tax reform, civil servant reform, housing, land use, judiciary reform, etc, et fucking cetera, in any form that is of benefit to the people of Taiwan.

The legislative is the law making body in this country. It has been dominated by one party for decades except for a couple years in the 00s. If the opposition were so powerful we would not have ECFA. What the KMT want they get. Just like any other ruling party with a majority.

It's depressing to see otherwise intelligent people so easily sucked into the mainstream narrative that if not for the opposition's opposing all the right bills would be passed.

[printlessfoot]

Ma has become a liability to the American government.