http://www.southeasternlegal.org/
Even with all the various versions of "state" being bandied about in Taiwan these days, it still comes as a surprise to hear someone actually talk about statehood. As in, American statehood.
Yet David Chou comes right out and says it: Taiwan should become the 51st state of the United States.
Chou is not joking. He has a plan. It may never work, but just try telling Chou that. He has been working on it for years.
Chou set up the 51 Club in 1994 to promote his idea. He admitted 51 members. But to him it is not a gimmick. It is a cause. With all the confusing explanations that Taiwan's government puts forth about whether it is part of China or something separate, Chou's unusual proposal is refreshingly straightforward.
"If we were a state, our most serious problem -- security -- would be solved," said Chou, 49, who sounds considerably more normal than his proposal might suggest. "The current government can't solve it; neither can the opposition. But statehood can."
Taiwan has been drowning in political debate since July 9, when President Lee Teng-hui caused an uproar by saying that from now on, talks with China should be held on the basis of equal states, in a "special state-to-state relationship." Beijing immediately denounced Lee for trying to thwart China's reunification with the island, while opinion polls in Taiwan show cautious support for Lee's statement.
"Special state-to-state relations, yes, as a U.S. state," Chou said. "That's the only state we should want to be, the state of Taiwan."
Face facts, Chou says. Taiwan would not exist without the United States. Ever since 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists retreated to Taiwan after losing China's civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, they have survived by American protection, American trade and the education of countless Taiwan students in American universities.
Chou argues that most people here, if given a choice, would prefer to be American.
"A lot of people in Taiwan are embarrassed to say so," Chou said, whispering conspiratorially. "The government will never say so. But it's true."
Chou seems to fancy himself a visionary. He studied law in the United States, but ended up as a businessman in the toy industry. He seems fiercely committed to the idea of American statehood, but is a bit weak on how to organize.
He needs money, he acknowledges. So in July he set up a foundation called the FormUSA Foundation -- a play on Taiwan's earlier name, Formosa. So far, it has 18 members.
"The Communist Party started with 12," he said.
Will it take as many decades to achieve his goal as it did for Communist leaders to achieve theirs?
Unlikely, Chou said, but exactly how long depends on Beijing.
"All the PLA has to do is lob a few missiles over, and people will be swarming to us," he said, referring to the People's Liberation Army.
Chou lived and worked in New York, Pennsylvania and California over a period of 10 years, and he fell in love with what he sees as a reliable legal system and an open-minded society.
"I know a lot of Taiwanese have reservations about this," he said. "They may worry that they'll lose their culture. But I tell them, you can still eat rice; no one will force you to eat hamburgers."
On July 23, when Richard Bush, an American special envoy, came to Taiwan to meet Lee, Chou organized a tiny demonstration outside the office that represents U.S. interests here and presented a petition addressed to President Clinton and leading members of Congress. It was accepted by Susan Stahl, an American official who promised to forward it to Washington.
More mainstream Taiwan residents, in random questioning, see the idea as little more than a bad joke. The government has yet to dignify it with a comment. Chou said he thought the Taiwan media have largely ignored him because it is controlled by the local establishment.
Yet The China Times, a leading Taiwan newspaper, took him on with a July 25 editorial headlined "Who Wants a 51st State?"
"If the United States allowed far-away Taiwan to become a 51st state, a lot of small undeveloped African countries would have done it long ago," the editorial said.
One of Chou's supporters, David Shu, said that, like many young people here, he used to think that the island should declare formal independence, because it has been effectively separate from China for 50 years. But he reasoned that if independence is not feasible, what with China hovering so close by, American statehood is second-best.
When he tries to sell the idea to friends, Shu said, he compares Taiwan to a pretty young woman.
"China is like a gangster," Shu said. "The United States is like a policeman. Every time the gangster tries to take the girl in his arms, she has to call the policeman to come save her.
"Our job is to get the girl married to the policeman," he continued. "Then there is no danger, and the protection is permanent."
Chou put it another way.
"Everyone who goes to America comes back happy," Chou said. "Taiwan cannot be independent, so we have to merge with another country. Who should it be?"
Please sign on
If we're shopping for the 51st state in the Far East, I'd take the Philippines. They have some 8,000 miles of beaches, most are Catholic and speak English and, traveling and making many friends there, know that almost all are sincerely in love with our culture.
Possible negatives - they are very poor and... they are 80,000,000 and growing.
"Taiwan the 51st State? "
Sorry, the smallest state number in sequence that can be assigned to Taiwan is perhaps 55. Israel, Russia, Japan and China are states 51, 52, 53 and 54 -- judging by the amount of funding. Did I forget to include one or more?
If China is the 54th state, I don't think the Republicans will hang on to the House. And California can forget its influence in the Electoral College.
No Way! Not with the US immigration laws, we would be flooded with communist Chinese.
Taiwan 51st State? Perhaps 52nd, Mexico is already 51st.
Intriguing idea.
If there is to be a "New World Order", let it be based on the ideals upon which America was founded: Freedom, Individual Rights, Limited Government, Equality before the Law.
"If we were a state, our most serious problem -- security -- would be solved..."
Not under the clinton mal-administration... When the ChiComs attacked, little willy would just tell them:
"Y'all better put some ice on that!"
So that explains the open border between the US and Mexico.
Actually, this ain't such a bad idea. The idea of adding East Asian nations to the U.S. is nothing new. In John Brunner's 1968 classic novel STAND ON ZANZIBAR, for example, the Philippines have become 52nd State ("the state of Isola"). The P.I. were practically a state already -- during our colonial years.
I think Taiwan would be a fine state. They'll have to get in line behind the Canadian provinces, though -- we're one Quebecker vote away from 11 new Canadian states...
Whoa fella. I live in California. I thought WE were becoming a colony of Taiwan...
If Quebec goes independent, I would agree that the Maritimes would join the US. Back in 1990, during the debates over the Meech Lake Accords, the Maritime premiers held very informal talks with the US Attorney General to discuss the mechanism by which they could join.
During the same period, Albertans were talking seriously about joining the US if Quebec walked, and the previous government of British Columbia was talking independence.
If Canada does come apart, I would expect the provinces to join up, but slowly, over a generation or so.
I think it is a very good idea, and hope the canadain provinces do in fact join the United States. I'd seriously consider moving to "Canada" if I were still protected by the US Constitution. The small pacific rim countries, like Tiawan and Singapore would be wonderful additions to the United States. Inteligent, educated, law biding and hard working by all accounts.
If there is to be a NWO, then let it be under the US Constitution. Not the UN Charter.
These days, none of us are protected by the US Constitution, because the feds think its a dead letter.
They'll have to get in line behind the Canadian provinces, though -- we're one Quebecker vote away from 11 new Canadian states...
Just what we need! Millions of new socialist voters!
NOT.
Now that they have fouled their own nest, let them stay in it.
Not so fast. Alberta elected Ralph Kline's right-of-center government in the early Nineties. Ontario just re-elected Mike Harris' hard right government, and New Brunswick just elected a Conservative government.
Outside of Ottawa and Quebec, things are changing.
Let's keep it at 50 and drop Arkansas.
If that is what you think then it is dead in the water.
It is up to us to defend the Constitution then the Constitution can defend us. Each (Us and the Constitution) require the support of the other.
Obey the constitution, not the whores in government.
"The small pacific rim countries, like Tiawan and Singapore would be wonderful additions to the United States. Inteligent, educated, law biding and hard working by all accounts."
Well maybe, but only if they change to speaking English first. Then maybe we can convince California and Florida to do the same.
Outside of Ottawa and Quebec, things are changing
Are they showing any signs of reversing gun control up there?
Unlike the US where there is no official language, English is an official language in Singapore.
I said the feds, not me. I am a constitutionist to the hardcore
I know, and it is people like you, that will insure the Constitution remains the law of the land.
I just used your post as an opportunity to get on my soap box. Certainly didn't mean to imply you would not support the Consitution. But there are people (not you and not me) that seem to think that they should be afforded protection by the Constitution but are not obligated to support and defent it. That to me is not right thinking.
"If China is the 54th state, I don't think the Republicans will hang on to the House. And California can forget its influence in the Electoral College."
Rethinking this situation, one realizes that based on the amount of fuding most (if not all) present 50 states of the U.S. will have to get in line behind Israel (1), Japan (2), Russia (3), and China (4), or should the oil companies be declared the first state in their own right? :-)
You know, this is worth thinking about. Of course,it would mean war with the gangster, China. Other than that, it's an interesting idea.
What did Arkansas do to escape its bondage? Drop them all except CA, MD, IL, AR, NY, MA, RI, PA, OR, CT, NAYBE A FEW MORE...
Hummmmm, China a state Maybe la-toon had it figured afterall. Lots of votes for Democrats.
Canada's constitution (the British North America Act of 1867) has nothing like our 2nd Amendment. Outside of Alberta, most Canadians I've talked to like strict gun control and think of us Americans as a bunch of gun-happy nuts.
Our Founders wanted an armed populace to keep the government honest, and Canadians, who reflect the thought processes of the American Tories, feel that the government can be trusted. A parliamentary system is really a legislative dictatorship, but one that is controlled by the people. Thus, there is no need for an armed populace, goes the thinking.
Also, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pacified the Canadian west before the settlers arrived, so the attitude toward gun ownership historically has been very different in Canada. They didn't have to fight the original inhabitants as we did, so they lack the tradition of the rifle, sitting ready, over the mantle.
If the Canadians come in, expect some battles on the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.
It would be too cruel to seperate the baby pig from the mother pig. If they could recall the mommy-daddy pig, well maybe Arkansas would be ok after all and we could go for 51 states.
Please, no more Chinks in the U.S. I don't care if they're from Taiwan or not.
Mr. Chou means well.
"Chinks" Your mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Northern California will be 51.
NO MAINLAND CHINA WILL DECLARE THE U.S. A PROVINCE
For the 52 state I would go for S.Korea. I've lived among the Asian cultures for the past 8 years and I've never felt happier, freer, and safer. I wouldn't ever want the red guard in America. Better to help our allies on the front lines; especially when we have traitors-for-dollars in Wash. D.C.
"NO MAINLAND CHINA WILL DECLARE THE U.S. A PROVINCE "
That thought is what is scaring the bejeebers out of me these days!!!
An excellent idea. The addition of a state full of hard-working, educated citizens might counterbalance some of the other states we already have (who shall remain nameless). Taiwan is a tiny island almost-nation, but it is very rich by comparison to those around it.
I'm in favor of allowing any country to join the US as a state, providing they adopt our Constitution and suitably adapt their social systems (legal, etc). Even Japan. Or Russia. Or Europe ;-)
Would I fight the Chinese Communists to help secure freedom for Taiwan? As it stands now, no. But if they were a US state, then yes. Supporting freedom aside, we would have something tangible and direct to gain from it - the inclusion of a new productive state.
If one world government is inevitable, as many claim, let's make it a Constitutional Republic, not a Socialist "Utopia".
If the Canadians come in, expect some battles on the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.
Then to hell with them. Let them unite with that other socialist gun-control utopia: Mexico.
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