House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan gave me hope in our nation and the chances of democracy surviving around the world; and this isn’t Pelosi’s first China-bucking rodeo. In 1989, she stood with brave, pro-democracy protesters who were being barbarically gunned down by the Chinese government at Tiananmen Square.
Yes, there are commercial and military reasons for her trip. At the same time, I’d hands down rather be tied to the U.S. economically and militarily than to China (e.g., the government isn’t stopping me from reading the story about Pelosi’s trip or writing this letter).
Taiwan sits naked — almost as bare as Hong Kong whose tragic fate was sealed. Cheating Hong Kong out of its promised “one country, two systems” rule, China’s continuing aggression around the Pacific and the world is no longer cloked in language meant to assure other nations that it’s their friend nor that democratic principles will be honored. Au contraire. China’s leadership berates the democratic model as “weak” and vows to control parts of the world that aren’t theirs either by hooking them financially or taking them by the sword. But Pelosi didn’t cower at China’s threats of punishment for her visit, nor should she have. Bravo, Ms. Speaker!
Human rights at home and abroad have been Pelosi’s gig for her decades including helping to steer the landmark Affordable Care Act through Congress. She’s now racing to help pass Biden’s massive reconciliation package, which includes two of her pet priorities — lowering prescription drug prices and addressing climate change — as she attempts to avert the decimation a potentially Republican-controlled House could have on the future health of our people and natural world.
Even Senate Republicans are praising Pelosi, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (who could change his mind any time) and Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri who said about her Taiwan visit: “I’m about to use four words in a row that I haven’t used in this way before…: Speaker Pelosi was right.”
So mahalo Speaker Pelosi. We haven’t been on the same page of every issue, but your bravery and initiative to stand up for Taiwan’s people and their democracy has helped our country retain a bit of its own dignity by having its role as democratic leader reiterated on the world stage.
Janice Palma-Glennie is a resident of Kailua-Kona.