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Have They Forgotten Why?

It has long been my opinion that the DPP is doomed unless they are truly ready to re-establish themselves as a political party that puts concern for the people--and the issues that affect their lives--ahead of worries about "power" or "control." (Unfortunately, nobody's listening to me



The DPP used to be the party that was associated with issues such as protecting the working class, the environment, human rights, etc. Then they got into power, and while so much good was done during their years of rule, the majority of the public never noticed the improvements. Indeed, with their dominance of the electronic media, the clever Kuomintang public relations people managed to connive the public into thinking that it was the KMT that was more concerned with the welfare of the nation's poorest and most disadvantaged.


Now that they are in power, of course, the KMT is pushing through construction projects without debate about environmental actions, offering candy cash giveaways instead of providing intelligent economic leadership, and turning civil rights into a fascistic farce.


But the focus of this posting is upon the DPP, which seems to have totally forgotten that it is there to serve the people, not vice versa. The problem is: can they sincerely re-connect with social movements, NGOs, volunteer groups and others? I emphasize "sincerely." If their links to these organizations and people are created merely for political purposes, the people will see them as worse than sham artists and continue to vote for the blue meanies. ("Glove, look Glove, somebody is escaping!")


The party must become the organizational equivalent of Jimmy Carter, maybe Bill Clinton. They've got to dedicate themselves to helping people, rather than helping themselves. If they do this, then they will be worthy of being considered as a leader of the nation once again.


Article from the Taiwan News that inspired this little rant:


Taiwan Opposition DPP Wants Closer Ties with Social Movements

Taiwan News, Staff Writer 2009-02-08 03:59 PM

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party should move closer to social movements, chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said ahead of a special party meeting Sunday.

The DPP called a special meeting of its leading Central Standing Committee Sunday at the start of what it called its “social action year.”

The main question was how to strengthen the opposition party's ability to provide a balance to the ruling Kuomintang, which commands an almost three-fourths majority of the seats at the Legislative Yuan.

A second topic for discussion was how to strengthen ties with social movements, Tsai said.

It was misleading to say that social action should be narrowed down to street action, Tsai said, rejecting media reports that the party was divided between supporters of parliamentary actions and advocates of street protests. Tainan City Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair told reporters that the DPP’s main problem was not which line to take, but whether it had the necessary capabilities.

Clashes with police during the contested visit of top Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin last December caused DPP opponents to describe the opposition party as only interested in violence and street protests.
"The DPP should breathe along with society," Tsai said.

The opposition party should open up its structure and invite intellectuals and social activists to join in order to strengthen its proximity to the people, she said.

The DPP also welcomed cooperation with any other political grouping respecting the basic principles of protecting Taiwan's sovereignty, democracy and human rights, Tsai said.

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