Emergence of moderation in Taiwan politics

A major local newspaper on Dec. 11 published an opinion poll showing that 65 percent of respondents believed the late President Chiang Ching-kuo made positive contributions to Taiwan while President Chen Shui-bian and the late President Chiang Kai-shek received almost equal ratings (5 percent for Chen and 6 percent for Chiang).

As for the current campaign to denounce the two Chiangs, particularly the senior Chiang, accused by the Chen administration of being a dictator who "had slaughtered" native Taiwanese, 60 percent of those polled did not agree with the approach.

What made this survey noteworthy was that it comes at a time when the whole nation has been engulfed in a "de-Chiangification" frenzy whipped up by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and that the DPP appears to prevail most of the time even though many of their activities can be considered irrational and even illegal.

The opinion poll showed that the government-sponsored anti-Chiang campaign did not in any way reflect the sentiment of the majority of the local population, despite the fanfare. It also sent a clear message to President Chen that if he brands the senior Chiang a "dictator," in the mind of the average Taiwanese, he is even worse as a ruler.

At the same time, approximately 400 leaders in the field of medicine showed up publicly at a gathering to support the presidential ticket of the Kuomintang (KMT), headed by Ma Ying-jeou and Vincent Siew.

This development was highly significant, since traditionally people in the medical profession by-and-large back the DPP.

But, after seven years of poor performance by the Chen administration, the mood of the elite in this sector of Taiwan society has undergone perceptible changes as their hopes for a better future are dashed.

As one leader put it, the "demerits of the ruling party are countless."

The switch in political support by medical professionals may serve as an important indicator of the disappointment of a large number of erstwhile DPP followers.

The DPP, led by President Chen, has attempted and somewhat succeeded in provoking ideological and ethnical rifts in the population, making many wonder: "Where are the decent, rational and fair-minded "middle-of-the-road" voters in Taiwan, the group of people who should play a decisive role in elections in democratic countries?"

But the opinion poll -- combined with a public of show of support for the Ma-Siew ticket -- indicates that a sizable moderate force does exist in Taiwan's present, chaotic society and may well decide the outcome of upcoming legislative and presidential elections.

The teachers' association of the city of Hsinchu recently issued a statement criticizing repeated inappropriate remarks made by the chief secretary of the Ministry of Education as having the effect of a single person destroying long-standing cherished educational goals.

Such a display of moderation and courage to counter extremism should be welcome news to all those who really love this land.