There are many westerners living here long term with APRCs, who have paid taxes without representation (the right to vote) for many years sometimes decades. It seems to me there is little active protest about this situation, but much complaining in private or on message boards. On the other hand SE Asian workers have staged significant and newsworthy protests, rallies etc with the aim of improving their rights in Taiwan. Is this some sort of spiritual weakness, or because most westerners are in that situation where they are just comfortable enough that they are not fired up to start any protests. Iāve never seen even one westerner complaining on the news. Is this kind of like when you pay the underclass enough dole money in the UK that they only riot once every five summers instead of every summer? Or are westerners happy to pay taxes for their whole lives without having representation at the ballot box ?
A specter is haunting Forumosaā¦
who crusher?
There are about 15,000 foreigners on APRC and not all of them are Westerners by the way, compared to about 700,000 migrant workers. I donāt know which countries allow permanent residents to vote in local and/or national elections, do you?
I protest all the time to the MP. I donāt think it is wholly necessary to get the media involved, lest they spin it into an antiforeigner story as they so often do. I always have maintained that the MPs in Taiwan have the power to make citizenship an easier reality for friends of Taiwan.
The reason most westerners dont get the nationality is because they dont want to or are unable to give up their old country.
The UK allows people from commonwealth realms to vote and stand for office if they legally reside in the UK. They donāt need British citizenship.
But that argument stands from where you consider who is defined as a foreigner.
The problem is that Taiwan requires us foreigners give up our existing citizenship if we wish to become citizens of Taiwan. There has been a tiny bit of relaxation of this law, and as a result, some octogenarian nuns and priests have become eligible for dual citizenship.
As is the case in most countries, only citizens can vote.
theres also a pretty strong narrative that taiwanese are sooo friendly and westerners are so lucky to live here, its a heaven on earth with reverse racism only for western people!
iām sure thats a big part of it too.
I propose the creation of an āAtogah-Minzu Culture Council.ā
I think most westerners are in that situation where they are just not uncomfortable enough that they are fired up to start some protests.
The only thing I get āfired upā over is air pollution. Iām on the Taiwan ecoterrorism watch list.
Thereās seriously 15k people here on APRC? Why donāt these people post on forumosa? If I had to guess I would think APRC people living here would be well under 5k.
5k would be a good guess for the number of westerners on APRC.
There are about 15,000 foreigners on APRC and not all of them are Westerners by the way
Ooops
I read this as āthey are all westerners btwā
Iāve had too much sun todayā¦
So, it probably is around 5k?
I think thatās the key.
In my opinion many foreigners say itās ok that I canāt get a house in my name, pension plan, credit and loans, phone service, discounts for locals etc becauseā¦ My wife does it all for me. They arenāt uncomfortable enough to take action.
I plan to write all the politicians soon about this abomination that is citizenship for Superman foreigners only. I figure my letters will end up in the trash though
If you donāt have a noble prize, donāt even think about applying!
I tried, was rejected and when I appealed they took a year to write back to tell me that my appeal was denied because I donāt have the right to appeal. Nothing relating to the subject of the appeal at all
Start a YouTube channel where you only say positive things about Taiwan.
that or actually win a noble prizeā¦
Youāre probably right. Didnāt some YouTuber get citizenship here already? I vaguely remember that. Nobel prize isnāt happening, Iām too stupid for that
You also have to shit talk other foreigners in Taiwan who are not as fired up about how great taiwan is.
Pointing how how others donāt love Taiwan as much as you is the key to obtaining Superman foreigner citizenship.
Rifat is also a stand up comedian and has performed over 100 shows in Mandarin.
Howās your stand up? @dan2006
Iāve posted lots of āfunny political picsā on forumosa. Do you think that qualifies me for anything?