Happy Double Ten Day?

The Sacred Tree of Taiwan's Alishan Mountain; long fallen hope for independence

     The Republic of China, established January 1, 1912 after the October 10, 1911 uprising against the Qing Dynasty, should have ended when the People's Republic of China, established October 1, 1949, defeated the corrupt, fascist KMT, but the U.S.  make Taiwan available for their retreat, ignoring the will of the Taiwanese people. The U.S. perpetuate the lie, embargoed China for thirty years, and kept U.S. power in Asia with Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea; the spoils of WW II. In 1947 Taiwanese leaders were murdered by Chiang Kai-Shek in the 228 Massacre. Then, expelled from the U.N. in  1979 in favor of the PRC, Chiang's son, the new family dictator, refused to be an independent Taiwan,  A happy Double Ten Day? More like  a sad double loss for independence for the good Taiwanese people.  

     We have to get U.S. military and intelligence off foreign territory and spend those tax dollars improving Staters living standard, but China is doing well despite the obstacles, even with an infiltrated Hong Kong added to the list. China has to keep up its policy of a great firewall to keep western subterfuge out. They have to continue raising the living standard of their people and connecting the world with fair trade; the Silk Road initiative is great. They have to continue leading the world with environmental measures like Three Gorges Dam hydroelectricity and cutting fossil fuel emissions.

      This "Replica of China" in Taiwan with its sham democracy, stagnant economy, dwindling birth rate, elderly population, cannot survive as the behest of the U.S. Taiwan deserves nationhood; a voice in the world, and since the dream of independence has been squandered and denied since martial law ended, China beckons. Why is Taiwan still celebrating Double Ten today? Why have they come up with some gimmicky "Taiwan Forward" campaign when Taiwan is going nowhere? China can wait. 

     Taiwanese will continue to suffer in its pleasant chaos and political circus until someone starts a grassroots movement for reunification; until a critical mass realizes the U.S. presence is more harmful than good. Until then, all China has in Taiwan is White Wolf, a unification mafia head, a bumbling ex-president, and a clown in Kaohsiung voted mayor, but, most of all, Taiwan perpetuates Chinese culture, classic writing, food, music, and customs.  Pity Taiwan or blame Taiwan; it doesn't matter. But love Taiwan, as I have done for forty years, because it is a beautiful place, great place for an expat to start an ESL teaching career, to live in, and to retire.