The Word "Reform" Is Inadequate to Rationalize All Maladministration

  The Word "Reform" Is Inadequate to Rationalize All Maladministration

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

May 16, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

President Tsai Ing-wen will soon complete two years in office; this paper’s poll indicates that 56 percent of the public are not satisfied with her performance in governance, with only 20% satisfied. What is noteworthy is that among swing voters, 61% feel dissatisfied, higher than the average score; in the southern areas, including Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan and Kaohsiung-Pingtung-Penghu, traditional strongholds of the DPP, big turnarounds have emerged in both, the ratio of those dissatisfied with President Tsai’s governance both far exceeded those who were satisfied. The DPP has been in full control of the government for barely two years, and the situation of such mounting grievances has appeared; this is a loud warning blow.

First-rate countries, in their governance, should let the people feel good, having a sense of pride for being citizens of the country, not let the powers that be feel good themselves. Tsai Ing-wen repeatedly attributes the rising dissatisfaction rate to the fact that she has pushed for various "reforms," and "opening too many battlefronts," thus offending too many people. Such statements not only simplified the question of governance, but also failed to conform to reality. From another angle, the first three areas wherein the public are most dissatisfied with the Tsai administration’s governance are “pushing for economic development”, “handling cross-Strait relations”, and “promoting judicial reform,” in that order. These three areas are also the areas in which Tsai Ing-wen got the lowest ratings for satisfaction.

When the people’s dissatisfaction rating has climbed to a new apex, President Tsai, however, is still repeating the old tune that “I do not regret reforms,” showing that she has lost the capacity for self-reflection. Tsai Ing-wen’s blind spot lies in that she believes tossing out the ten-gallon hat of “reform” would be enough to rationalize all maladministration. In actuality, governance is not only "reforms"; governance also includes various "new programs," including sharing people's setbacks and joys, including calling for and responding to the needs of the people. And do not forget, wanton and cruel reforms are often much worse than no reforms at all!

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