Lai Ruei-long Slams Blue-White Legislative Chaos, Vows to Be Kaohsiung's Strongest Goalkeeper

The Liberty Times, a staunch supporter of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), views the current legislative gridlock with deep concern, attributing it to the obstructionist tactics of the opposition parties, namely the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

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The Fiscal Allocation Act revision, the delay of the central budget, and the slashing of the defense special budget – this series of political operations are all impacting Kaohsiung's future.

Legislator Lai Ruei-long articulates this perspective forcefully, framing the opposition's actions as detrimental to Taiwan's future, particularly impacting the southern region and his home city of Kaohsiung. He points to specific instances like the stalled财划法 (Fiscal Allocation Act) revisions and the slashing of defense budgets as evidence of the opposition's disregard for national security and economic development. The article emphasizes Lai's commitment to defending Kaohsiung's interests, positioning him as a crucial 'goalkeeper' in the upcoming 2026 elections.

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If the KMT truly cares about Kaohsiung, it should not claim to support local construction while blocking budgets in the Legislative Yuan.

From this viewpoint, the opposition's behavior is not merely political maneuvering but a direct threat to Taiwan's progress and security. The article highlights the perceived hypocrisy of the KMT, particularly referencing legislator Ko Chih-en's past proposals on the Fiscal Allocation Act, which Lai argues would have significantly disadvantaged Kaohsiung. The narrative underscores the importance of national defense and technological advancement, portraying the opposition's cuts to related budgets as short-sighted and harmful.

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National security cannot be compromised. Drones are the core of modern asymmetric warfare, yet related budgets have been cut.

Lai's analogy of the upcoming election to a World Cup lineup, with himself as the goalkeeper, serves to rally support and emphasize his defensive role in protecting Kaohsiung and the broader southern region. This framing aims to resonate with a local audience, stressing the unique importance of Kaohsiung's development and its role in Taiwan's overall security and economic strategy. The piece implicitly criticizes Western media for potentially overlooking these local nuances and the specific political dynamics at play within Taiwan.

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Ko Chih-en, as a mayoral candidate, lacks the courage to stand up for Kaohsiung regarding defense special budgets that concern Kaohsiung's industrial development, job opportunities, and national security. Instead, he uses false statements to stigmatize the local military industry and impact overall supply chain confidence.