From last Monday's China Post:
As arguments go, that's a little incoherent. The Post seems to be saying that a majority of Taiwanese want a free trade agreement with China . . . but Ma should ignore putting the measure to a vote because what the majority thinks is irrelevant!
Say what? If the majority truly DOES want the free trade agreement, how could it possibly hurt to put it up for a vote? After all, the treaty should pass hands down, right?
Curiously, the Post had to resort to misquotation in order to make their anti-democratic case. Because the full quote is actually this:
Bismarck was essentially telling the legislature of his time to quit their jawing and vote for the increased military budget the king had requested. You lawmakers can talk all you like, Bismarck was saying, but ultimately our country's position can only be maintained through its strength of arms.
Odd then, that the Post neglected to bring up this quote between the years 2006-2008, when the KMT blocked debate on a special arms bill 60 times. Or now, when the KMT presides over military cutbacks in the face of a clear and growing threat from across the Taiwan Strait.