2008 Woodie Awards
Taiwanese president owes his people
Stefanie Wang
Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
It has been over two weeks since the commencement of the sit-in to protest against President Chen Shui-bian. It is about time.
Over 500,000 protesters have gathered to force Chen to resign. Chen and his family have been under investigation for embezzlement of government money. Since August, protest leader Shih Ming asked the Taiwanese people to donate 100 NT (approximately $3) to support the protesters. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were donated by the Taiwanese people.
Investigations reveal that he and his family have embezzled billions of dollars from the government since his first term as president. Chen's wife is guilty of using government money to invest in the stock market. A receipt was discovered for a ridiculous amount of money spent solely on underwear.
The people of Taiwan deserve retribution. When Chen was running for office in 2000, one of his major campaign platforms was to change the governmental system, making it more democratic. The people of Taiwan expected a turn for the better; they expected a raise in the standard and quality of life. They have recieved nothing.
This is Chen's second term and it seems as if he's stealing and hoarding all the dirty money he can illegally gain before his presidential term is over. His corrupt behavior is also a bad projection on the political party he represents. Chen is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), one of the major political parties in Taiwan. Up until the year 2000 when Chen was elected, Taiwan was governed by politicians from the Kuomingtang (KMT) Party.
Two days before the 2004 election, there was an assassination attempt on President Chen. The whole affair was very sketchy, with a great deal of inconsistencies in evidence, injuries, and suspects. Investigators have reason to believe that the failed assassination was executed by Chen in an attempt to swing the vote towards him.
No matter who was behind the operation, it is still the people of Taiwan who must pay the price. In the end, Chen still won.
The protest is one of the more forceful acts of objection to President Chen. Protesters even braved Typhoon Shanshan to show their dedication to this cause. The central and southern regions support Chen due to political unawareness. They may recieve short term benefits that comes with corruptive political systems, but it is not worth it in the end. If they were to join the protests, they will be able to make better decisions in the future for themselves and for their country. They can think long term-unlike Chen.
Over 500,000 protesters have gathered to force Chen to resign. Chen and his family have been under investigation for embezzlement of government money. Since August, protest leader Shih Ming asked the Taiwanese people to donate 100 NT (approximately $3) to support the protesters. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were donated by the Taiwanese people.
Investigations reveal that he and his family have embezzled billions of dollars from the government since his first term as president. Chen's wife is guilty of using government money to invest in the stock market. A receipt was discovered for a ridiculous amount of money spent solely on underwear.
The people of Taiwan deserve retribution. When Chen was running for office in 2000, one of his major campaign platforms was to change the governmental system, making it more democratic. The people of Taiwan expected a turn for the better; they expected a raise in the standard and quality of life. They have recieved nothing.
This is Chen's second term and it seems as if he's stealing and hoarding all the dirty money he can illegally gain before his presidential term is over. His corrupt behavior is also a bad projection on the political party he represents. Chen is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), one of the major political parties in Taiwan. Up until the year 2000 when Chen was elected, Taiwan was governed by politicians from the Kuomingtang (KMT) Party.
Two days before the 2004 election, there was an assassination attempt on President Chen. The whole affair was very sketchy, with a great deal of inconsistencies in evidence, injuries, and suspects. Investigators have reason to believe that the failed assassination was executed by Chen in an attempt to swing the vote towards him.
No matter who was behind the operation, it is still the people of Taiwan who must pay the price. In the end, Chen still won.
The protest is one of the more forceful acts of objection to President Chen. Protesters even braved Typhoon Shanshan to show their dedication to this cause. The central and southern regions support Chen due to political unawareness. They may recieve short term benefits that comes with corruptive political systems, but it is not worth it in the end. If they were to join the protests, they will be able to make better decisions in the future for themselves and for their country. They can think long term-unlike Chen.