Gov’t Must Stop Throwing Good Money After Bad in Two Places

 A Commentary

Gov’t Must Stop Throwing Good Money After Bad in Two Places

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)

January 17, 2017

Facing financial constraints, the government must stop throwing good money after bad into two bottomless pits. First is dollar diplomacy to maintain relations with diplomatic partners. Second is purchasing arms for national defense in the hopes of currying friendship.

The first salvo in the nation’s diplomatic predicament has been fired. Not only are diplomatic partners lining up with their hands outstretched, non-diplomatic partners are also like baby birds "with mouths wide open waiting to be fed." The Tsai government should be wary in the face of all persuasions of ravenous gluttons. She must not waste the taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Moreover, US president-elect Donald Trump seems enthusiastic about selling arms to Taiwan. But the strongest pillar in Taiwan's defense involves politics, not weaponry. As long as we do not move towards de jure Taiwan independence, national defense will not be in jeopardy for the most part and military purchases can be kept to a reasonable level. To date, the Tsai government has refused to clarify its views on national identity. At the same time, the government is facing demands for protection money under the guise of arms sales from the US, distorting national defense out of all semblance of sound judgment.

The Government needs to cherish every penny of the money taxpayers earned through their sweat and tears.  

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