Taipei’s Daan District Legislative Candidate Calls for Outlawing Taro Hotpot, Legalizing Drugs, and Sex Work
Chu I-ming, a candidate running for Taipei’s Daan District legislature, has garnered attention with his unconventional policy platform. Chu, who is representing the Taiwan Reform Party, is advocating for the legalization of all drugs and sex work, as well as the eradication of capitalism. In addition, he aims to protect transgender rights, improve labor conditions and unionization rates, address education inequality, introduce a universal basic income (UBI), and ban taro from hot pot meals. While Chu admits that the taro policy was meant to draw attention, he believes it has been successful in attracting more people to his platform.
Prior to his candidacy, Chu collaborated with leftist political groups in Taiwan and participated in the Autumn Fight protest organized by labor groups such as the Left Party. Chu’s involvement in the sex industry inspired him to advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers. He argues that legalizing sex work would enable better protection for those involved.
Chu also advocates for the legalization of drugs, citing examples such as psychedelic drugs being approved for medical treatments in countries like Australia. He believes that legalizing recreational drug use would allow for better regulation and prevention of overdoses.
When asked about his competition in the legislative race, Chu expressed his frustration with the police, claiming to have been thrown to the ground while approaching another candidate. He believes Daan District is a stronghold for the Kuomintang (KMT) party, and neither he nor Miao Po-ya, a candidate supported by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), have a high chance of winning.
While Chu is not primarily focused on being elected, he aims to shed light on important issues that are often overlooked in Taiwanese politics. He recognizes that his ideas may not receive support from mainstream parties due to the potential loss of votes.
Chu acknowledges the weak influence of the left in Taiwan, attributing it in part to the historical anti-communist sentiment in the country. He clarifies that while ideas associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may be seen as synonymous with communism and Marxism, they are distinct concepts.
In summary, Chu I-ming’s legislative campaign in Taipei’s Daan District is centered around policies that range from legalizing drugs and sex work to eradicating capitalism. While his chances of winning may be slim, Chu aims to raise awareness about his progressive ideas and shine a spotlight on often-neglected topics in Taiwanese politics.
