Comments on: Political lessons from Penghu http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/ commentary on all things Taiwanese -- Taichung, Taiwan Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:46:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: taipeimarc http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85176 taipeimarc Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:52:54 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85176 Here is more good news .... The Brit company that was in cahoots with the KMT (Amazing Holdings) has lost more than half it's stock value overnight -> 138 on Friday, 47 today (LSE) Here is more good news …. The Brit company that was in cahoots with the KMT (Amazing Holdings) has lost more than half it’s stock value overnight -> 138 on Friday, 47 today (LSE)

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85175 David Reid Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:27:31 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85175 Thanks Haitien and Ken. I just got back from Penghu. I'll post a report on the referendum later today. Thanks Haitien and Ken. I just got back from Penghu. I’ll post a report on the referendum later today.

]]> By: Ken http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85174 Ken Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:41:06 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85174 Many congratulations on the win David. Really good to see the good guys come out on top for a change. Many congratulations on the win David. Really good to see the good guys come out on top for a change.

]]> By: Haitien http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85173 Haitien Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:53:47 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85173 Looks like the good guys won this one for once, with 56% of Penghu residents rejecting the casino. If the people of Penghu can see past the transparent attempts by the government to load the dice in favor of the casinos, then I think there is yet hope for democracy in Taiwan. Thanks for your coverage of this issue. Looks like the good guys won this one for once, with 56% of Penghu residents rejecting the casino. If the people of Penghu can see past the transparent attempts by the government to load the dice in favor of the casinos, then I think there is yet hope for democracy in Taiwan. Thanks for your coverage of this issue.

]]> By: Scott http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85172 Scott Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:48:30 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85172 Referenda where one side can massively out-spend the other, and one side is over-whelmingly portrayed as progress by the media...are just not a fair fight. I saw that a number of times in Scandinavia. We may see Penghu as beautiful, in part because it is relatively undeveloped...but the natives who've looked at it everyday their whole life may see it as under-developed, and there for unprosperous. But, considering how easy it appears to be to convince Taiwanese in general that the PRC is the star they need to hitch their wagon to, it would really be no suprise if the referendum passes. But even losing causes can be worthy causes, so I admire the enthusiasm of the people who do what they think is right to stop things like that. Referenda where one side can massively out-spend the other, and one side is over-whelmingly portrayed as progress by the media…are just not a fair fight. I saw that a number of times in Scandinavia.

We may see Penghu as beautiful, in part because it is relatively undeveloped…but the natives who’ve looked at it everyday their whole life may see it as under-developed, and there for unprosperous.

But, considering how easy it appears to be to convince Taiwanese in general that the PRC is the star they need to hitch their wagon to, it would really be no suprise if the referendum passes.

But even losing causes can be worthy causes, so I admire the enthusiasm of the people who do what they think is right to stop things like that.

]]> By: taipeimarc http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85171 taipeimarc Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:56:10 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85171 11: Dr. Kelly makes a good point in his page that you linked to, that is: Most of the revenue captured in a casino comes from people who would have otherwise spent that money in their home community on entertainment, food, clothes, etc. Thus the taxes generated by a casino represent a shift away from local business and towards the gambling industry (not“new money”). Local businesses may fail, the casino may grow, yet the net tax increase will be small. 11: Dr. Kelly makes a good point in his page that you linked to, that is:

Most of the revenue captured in a casino comes from people who would have otherwise spent that money in their home community on entertainment, food, clothes, etc. Thus the taxes generated by a casino represent a shift away from local business and towards the gambling industry (not“new money”). Local businesses may fail, the casino may grow, yet the net tax increase will be small.

]]> By: taipeimarc http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85170 taipeimarc Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:32:54 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85170 10. The only international visitors they will get will be from the PRC. 10. The only international visitors they will get will be from the PRC.

]]> By: taipeimarc http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85169 taipeimarc Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:28:41 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85169 9. The construction companies that think they will make $ are in for a surprise because they will probably not be able to pay back the debt they borrowed to build the place. The TWN .gov will be on the hook for the cost, just like the THSR. 9. The construction companies that think they will make $ are in for a surprise because they will probably not be able to pay back the debt they borrowed to build the place. The TWN .gov will be on the hook for the cost, just like the THSR.

]]> By: taipeimarc http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85168 taipeimarc Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:22:09 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85168 Hi David, Nice write-up. I'm glad to see you involved in this issue. I too think casinos in Taiwan are a bad idea. This idea is only second on the all-time Taiwanese blunders list, right after electing the sellout-to-China KMT back to power in 2008. Here is my take on this issue: (most of it you already covered, I just feel like bitchin~!) 1. Not only are casinos bad for Taiwan because of the social problems they will cause, but economic problems as well. The majority of the people of Taiwan WILL lose money. It is a fact. The house always win. Worse of all, the house is not even controlled by the Taiwanese, it will be foreigners (Brits) that run the damn place. 2. And Penghu? What a mistake. If they are going to build casinos, they need bodies to fill the places. Kinmen would be much better choice because it is easier to get to. Then again, China can always a.) take control of the island or b.) cripple the business, like they do in Macau, by shutting down the transportation hubs to either island. In Macau they limit visas, but in Taiwan since the authorites have already given PRC citizens visa waivers, this is a non-issue. 3. The water issue is another problem. Weather is also a factor especially for Penghu. 4. Since the .gov is only allowing two casinos if the referendum passes, how may people do they think they can employ anyway? I find it amusing that in Taiwan there are already 3 or 4 dealer schools that guarantee jobs for graduates. UNLV runs one of them. These companies should be investigated for fraud. 5. Add a link: on this page you can find satellite photos and beach photos of the planned Penghu casino: http://www.amazing.co.im/?pid=7 6. I hate the way the Gambling industry tries upgrade their image by trying to use the word "Gaming" instead of Gambling. Who are they trying to fool? 7. The money laundering issue will overwhelm authorities. 8. Lastly, isn't anyone in Taiwan paying attention to the global economy? The USA is on the verge of defaulting on their debt. Likewise, Eastern Europe, the UK and EU. This means not only is the 47% of Taiwan exports already lost never coming back, the remaining export trade may also be lost for quite some time. Taiwan should be hunkering down and thinking about long term survival strategies. People in Taiwan and China are not going to have disposable income to waste on gambling. Btw, if the USA defaults, that means the PRC is likely to implode shortly after which means BIG trouble for our little island. Hi David,
Nice write-up. I’m glad to see you involved in this issue. I too think casinos in Taiwan are a bad idea. This idea is only second on the all-time Taiwanese blunders list, right after electing the sellout-to-China KMT back to power in 2008. Here is my take on this issue: (most of it you already covered, I just feel like bitchin~!)

1. Not only are casinos bad for Taiwan because of the social problems they will cause, but economic problems as well. The majority of the people of Taiwan WILL lose money. It is a fact. The house always win. Worse of all, the house is not even controlled by the Taiwanese, it will be foreigners (Brits) that run the damn place.

2. And Penghu? What a mistake. If they are going to build casinos, they need bodies to fill the places. Kinmen would be much better choice because it is easier to get to. Then again, China can always a.) take control of the island or b.) cripple the business, like they do in Macau, by shutting down the transportation hubs to either island. In Macau they limit visas, but in Taiwan since the authorites have already given PRC citizens visa waivers, this is a non-issue.

3. The water issue is another problem. Weather is also a factor especially for Penghu.

4. Since the .gov is only allowing two casinos if the referendum passes, how may people do they think they can employ anyway? I find it amusing that in Taiwan there are already 3 or 4 dealer schools that guarantee jobs for graduates. UNLV runs one of them. These companies should be investigated for fraud.

5. Add a link: on this page you can find satellite photos and beach photos of the planned Penghu casino: http://www.amazing.co.im/?pid=7

6. I hate the way the Gambling industry tries upgrade their image by trying to use the word “Gaming” instead of Gambling. Who are they trying to fool?

7. The money laundering issue will overwhelm authorities.

8. Lastly, isn’t anyone in Taiwan paying attention to the global economy? The USA is on the verge of defaulting on their debt. Likewise, Eastern Europe, the UK and EU. This means not only is the 47% of Taiwan exports already lost never coming back, the remaining export trade may also be lost for quite some time. Taiwan should be hunkering down and thinking about long term survival strategies. People in Taiwan and China are not going to have disposable income to waste on gambling. Btw, if the USA defaults, that means the PRC is likely to implode shortly after which means BIG trouble for our little island.

]]> By: Ben Goren http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/09/political-lessons-from-penghu/comment-page-1/#comment-85166 Ben Goren Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:44:41 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=5262#comment-85166 Another angle: This upcoming referendum casts an unfavourable light on the Executive Yuan Referendum Review Committee's decision to turn down the DPP petition for a referendum on the basis that it doesn't concern a major political issue. Yet, local referendums, and ones which don't have a minimum threshold (as opposed to national requirements as you rightly pointed out) are 'OK'. That's as fishy as a Yunlin fishing market on a wet Saturday morning. Another angle: This upcoming referendum casts an unfavourable light on the Executive Yuan Referendum Review Committee’s decision to turn down the DPP petition for a referendum on the basis that it doesn’t concern a major political issue. Yet, local referendums, and ones which don’t have a minimum threshold (as opposed to national requirements as you rightly pointed out) are ‘OK’. That’s as fishy as a Yunlin fishing market on a wet Saturday morning.

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