Take Action, Overcome Depression

Take Action, Overcome Depression
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
December 26, 2012

Summary: The worse the depression, the greater the need for initiative. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin held a year-end press conference. He is in the second year of his second term. He proposed "Ten New Major Construction Projects for Taipei City." The city is in a slump. It is drowning in negative sentiment. Hau hopes that amidst the tumult of political pluralism, people can set aside their differences and work together toward a common goal. Hau Lung-bin's gesture will naturally lead to speculation about his motives. But set aside ruling vs opposition party political considerations for the moment. Taiwan must continue to develop. This cannot be ignored. It is a universal aspiration.

Full Text below:

The worse the depression, the greater the need for initiative. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin held a year-end press conference. He is in the second year of his second term. He proposed "Ten New Major Construction Projects for Taipei City." The city is in a slump. It is drowning in negative sentiment. Hau hopes that amidst the tumult of political pluralism, people can set aside their differences and work together toward a common goal. Hau Lung-bin's gesture will naturally lead to speculation about his motives. But set aside ruling vs opposition party political considerations for the moment. Taiwan must continue to develop. This cannot be ignored. It is a universal aspiration.

Forty years ago, the Republic of China found itself in precarious circumstances. An international financial crisis loomed. The first global oil crisis erupted as well. The Republic of China was forced to withdraw from the United Nations. In addition to an economic crisis, the Republic of China faced a national security crisis, and a crisis of confidence. No one who lived through that era will forget the slogan,「莊敬自強，處變不驚」meaning "In prosperity caution, in adversity patience." Of course, besides to offering slogans, the government must also offer solutions. When public confidence was shaken, the government launched the "Ten Major Construction Projects." This fundamentally transformed Taiwan's infrastructure and industry. It offered a concrete vision. It unified the nation and dispelled panic. Within five short years, the Republic of China was number one among the Four Asian Tigers. It created an economic miracle that won universal praise.

The crisis became an opportunity. The precedent entered textbooks as a case study in national development. Chiang Ching-kuo, Sun Yun-suan, Lee Kuo-ting and other determined elders put the public interest ahead of their personal ambition. Their fearlessness inspires nostalgia. In the four decades since, the ROC has undergone a "quiet revolution." What international tourists who visit Taiwan notice is the deep-rooted cultural heritage. Everyone is confident. Everyone is himself. On the other hand, political liberalization has also exacted a price. That price is democratic dsyfunction. That dysfunction has plunged society into collective anxiety. The public worries that ruling vs opposition party checks and balances, and even constitutional constraints, may make economic revival impossible. The public worries that they may lead to generational conflict, labor vs. capital confrontation, a lack of compromise between infrastructure development and environmental protection, and a deadlock between the ruling and opposition parties. But is this really the case? Must it be?

According to the latest polls, 83% of Taipei residents like Taipei. A similar poll about Taiwan would probably yield similar results. Peoples' reasons may not be the same. But the vast majority on Taiwan love it. They like its livability, its safety, and its diversity. They consider it a place where they can fulfill their dreams. Can a "New Ten Major Construction Projects" ease public anxieties? Can it enable people to work together? The times are different. The political and economic circumstances are different. Just how effective would a "New Ten Major Construction Projects" for Taipei be? That remains to be seen. But Taipei is the capital. Suppose it could create a more comprehensive industrial development environment? Suppose companies could become more competitive? It would at least have a "locomotive" effect. It would enable the public to feel more ambitious and act more boldly.

Needless to say, Hau Lung-bin's declaration led to political speculation. According to the election laws, when local leaders vacate their offices after the midpoint of their terms, their positions may be filled by the central government. No by-elections are necessary. Does Hau Lung-bin want to join the central government? Is he laying the groundwork for a 2016 presidential bid? Political pundits may wonder. Such speculations are reasonable, but not necessarily factual. First, as elected officials, they are accountable to the voters. They must not do little and say little, or even do nothing and say nothing, for fear of ridicule. Secondly, as political leaders, they must consider their reputations, if not their legacies. High office is no guarantee of public adulation. The public's estimation of past presidents is well known. Politicians will not always choose "higher office." Thirdly, career politicians should serve the public, and show the public what they have to offer. If they perform well, the public will acknowledge them. The opportunities are endless. Otherwise it is empty talk. No matter how early one makes preparations, not matter how much effort one invests, it may all be for naught.

Hau Lung-bin quoted former Premier Sun Yun-suan. "The government must do what it must. Even more importantly, the government must communicate with the public. It must let the public know where it is headed." Society on Taiwan is mature and pluralistic. It allows people who want to work the opportunity to work. It allows people to respond to each other in good faith. The public on Taiwan has no shortage of political rhetoric, no shortage of political calculation, and no shortage of political grievances. What they have a shortage of, is tolerance, non-partisanship, cooperation in search of solutions, and opportunities for entrepreneurship. The mayors of the five cities and the leaders of the municipalities and counties complain. They say the central government has not devolved sufficient resources and authority to the local level. More should be done within their own purview. This will enable them to lead the people in their struggle. Taiwan belongs to everyone. If everyone has the will, then together we can find a way. Together we can find our way to the next stage of development. The possibilities for Taiwan's future are infinite.
   
中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2012.12.26
社論－擺脫苦悶年代 需要更多行動力
本報訊

    　愈是苦悶的年代，愈需要有積極的進取心。台北市長郝龍斌日前在連任第二年舉行年終記者會，提出「台北新十大建設」，要在經濟低迷不振的市景中，逆勢突圍，並希望在政治多元喧囂的年代裡，找出一個大家可以放下歧見，共同努力的方向。郝龍斌此舉自然引發政治臆測，但不論朝野以何種政治角度詮釋，不能忽視的是，「台灣要繼續發展」確實是全民心中最大的想望與共識。

    　四十年前，台灣處於內外交相迫的危急處境，除了國際金融衝擊，全球爆發第一次石油危機，中華民國又被迫退出聯合國，當時的台灣不但有經濟危機，還有國家安全的信心危機；走過那個年代，沒有人會忘記「莊敬自強，處變不驚」這句話。當然，除了提出口號，政府也得拿出辦法。就在民心動搖之際，政府推出「十大建設」，從根本改造台灣的基礎建設和產業，創造具體可行的願景，讓全民團結擺脫恐慌情緒。短短五年之內，台灣即成為亞洲四小龍之首，台灣因此創造的「經濟奇蹟」更為舉世稱許。

    　危機成了轉機，當年的典範，迄今仍是國家發展的經典教材，蔣經國、孫運璿、李國鼎…，許多堅毅的前輩們，為公不為私、無懼橫逆的身影令人懷念；四十年來，除了經濟表現，台灣還創造了「寧靜革命」，國際觀光客到台灣感受最強烈的就是台灣深層的人文底蘊，每個人都可以理直氣壯的做自己。但相對的，政治的開放某種程度也付出了民主效能降低的代價，社會陷入了集體焦慮：擔心朝野相互制衡、乃至掣肘，可能導致台灣難以重振發展榮景，致使世代衝突、勞資對立、建設與環保沒有交集、朝野難對話…，但實情真是如此、也只能如此嗎？

    　根據最新民調，百分之八十三的台北市民喜歡台北，相信類似民調放諸台灣亦皆準；儘管各地人們所持理由不見得一樣，但台灣人絕大多數都愛台灣，我們享受台灣的宜居、安全、多元，台灣是一個可以讓人實現理想和目標的地方。當年的「十大建設」緩解了全民的恐慌，讓人們找到可以一起努力的方向，時空改變、政經主客觀情勢不同於以往，集中於發展台北市的「新十大」能夠創造出多大的能量，自然有待觀察；但作為首都的台北市若能因此建構更完善周全的產業發展環境，為企業創造更高的競爭力，則至少可以發揮「火車頭」效應，帶動台灣更多人有積極發展的企圖心與行動力。

    　無庸諱言，郝龍斌的宣示，必然引來若干政治揣測，因為根據選罷法，地方首長任期過半後出缺，可由中央派代，無須改選，政壇中人或會猜想郝龍斌是否想進入中央？或者布局二○一六？這樣的揣測合理，但也不全然必要：第一，身為民選政治人物，必須對選民負責，不能憂讒畏譏少說少做，甚至不說不做，以避免出錯或引起話題；第二，身為政治領袖，即使不考慮大格局的歷史地位，至少要留下好名聲，然大位並不能保證人民愛戴，觀諸歷任總統在民眾心中的評價即可知一、二，因此「更上一層樓」未必是政治人物必然的抉擇；第三，以政治為志業者，所應為者是取得「能繼續為民服務、施展能力」的門票，做得好，民眾認可，機會無限，否則，只會空口說白話，再早布局、再多心機亦無用。

    　郝龍斌引了一段前行政院長孫運璿的話，「政府，就是要做應該去做的事；政府，更要做好對民眾的溝通，讓民眾知道未來要怎麼走。」台灣是一個成熟的多元社會，應該會給想做事的人足夠的空間，也應有能力給予彼此善意的回應。台灣不缺政治語言，不缺政治算計，不缺彼此怨懟；缺的是放下對立，不問己身政治得失，一起想辦法解決問題、創造機會的幹勁和拚勁。五都和各縣市首長在抱怨中央權與錢下放不夠的同時，更應該做的是在自己的權責範圍內，找出可以帶領民眾拚搏的奮鬥目標。台灣是大家的，若是人人皆有心，願意一同尋找下一個階段的動力與方向，台灣的未來就有無限可能！