Recognize Taiwan!

By: Daniel Nardini

Many have wondered why I have been so adamant about recognzing Cuba and scrapping the U.S. embargo against that island. I am simply reflecting what is reality. I am not for the government in Cuba nor am I for Communism. Communism scars the turkey out of me. It is a system that controls too much of an individual’s life. I have sadly experienced what Communism is and what it really means. What I am saying is that if the U.S. can recognize Cuba then it can begin to lay the groundwork for recognizing Taiwan. Since 1979, the United States has had no diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This has been in keeping with the fiction that “there is only one China and that Taiwan is a part of China.”

The fact of the matter is that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China. It never has been. Like the stupidity of the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the non-recognition of Cuba, the U.S. acceptance that Taiwan is part of China is sheer stupidity. Taiwan has its own government, its own military and police system, and its own currency. That most countries in the world do not recognize Taiwan is due to China’s pressure and threats. Unlike China, Taiwan has a democratic form of government. The government in Taiwan does not lock up political prisoners, does not arbitrarily torture and execute people for their political and religious beliefs, and allows more than one political party in all major Taiwan elections. One cannot say the same thing about China.

Further, not recognizing Taiwan only serves China’s purposes and national interests, not that of the United States. This must change. Not to recognize Taiwan is not to recognize 21 million people. Not to recognize Taiwan is to endanger what Chinese democracy there is. Not to recognize Taiwan is to do China’s bidding and make a mockery of U.S. foreign policy. This must change. I say recognize Taiwan!

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