Several Insights from Watching Taiwanese Political Talk Shows

I've been watching Taiwanese political talk shows every day lately, and I've come to some insights, which I'd like to share.

• The DPP and KMT are indeed locked in a fierce struggle. The KMT is like a fallen royal family, embroiled in internal power struggles, while the DPP is like a street thug, resorting to all sorts of shameless tactics. No wonder a "white force" like Ko Wen-je can rise to power. Unfortunately, politics is a cesspool; anyone who enters it gets polluted.
• In the face of political power, "integrity" is worthless, which is why systems are needed; otherwise, every country and region would descend into chaos. However, systems are also flexible, which leads to them being exploited by many shameless politicians who act out of self-interest, even betraying their conscience to protect their own interests. Such politics only drags society down.
• Politicians are truly disgusting. I remember Tsai Ing-wen constantly claiming that the DPP represents democratic progress and upholds democracy, but when faced with problems herself, she disregards "democracy." For example, in this party primary, when Lai Ching-te emerged as a stronger candidate, she delayed holding the primary, trying to drag others down—what a joke. Another example is Lai Ching-te himself. He previously claimed to be a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence," but after running for office, because he didn't receive enough pro-independence votes, he declared that his pro-independence stance was the true essence of Taiwan's democracy. Politicians lack a sense of self; they are all two-faced. People with a sense of self, dignity, and principles probably won't go very far in politics.
• This generation of young people in Taiwan is quite "pitiful." They have lost their original "global perspective" and, under the brainwashing of vicious political infighting, their vision has become increasingly narrow. Furthermore, due to the economic downturn, fewer and fewer people are going out to travel, feeling somewhat trapped—politically imprisoned and physically hindered by economic constraints. The Sunflower Movement of a few years ago is a good example of this.
• The future of Taiwan is unlikely to see much change. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lacks effective governance strategies; at best, it can only slow the decline. If the Kuomintang (KMT) were to come to power, it would be dragged down by the grassroots support mobilized by the DPP. Coupled with its ideological homogenization, change is difficult to achieve. Under these circumstances, Taiwan will become increasingly reliant on mainland China.
• Elections aren't about how capable or visionary a candidate is, but about how many voters support them. In a world where few are open-minded, one has to set aside their grand vision to cater to the tastes of the majority. It's like going to a remote rural village to explain the benefits of selling vegetables online; they might think you're crazy. It's better to talk to them about farming and how to sell vegetables better. If other forces try to brainwash them by portraying the "internet" as a monster and demonizing you, you might be driven out of the village before you even complete the first step.