台灣民主的進階勝利－給黃俊英先生鼓掌及致敬

圖片為黃俊英教授，引用自其競選網站

高雄市長選舉判決已經出爐，當大家注目陳菊市長繼續執政時，黃俊英教授(他原本是中山大學教授)，卻被冷落了，因此我在此要特別讚揚這位學者從政的優雅風範！台灣政治對立很嚴重，搞到近年來，大家都對政治很厭惡，甚至造成不少人認為民主制度是錯誤的，民主政治絕對不是最好的制度，但我們不能因為參與遊戲、比賽的人素質不好，就反而質疑起遊戲、比賽本身的制度設計，甚至質疑起遊戲比賽本身的意義。最好的方法是如果認為選舉制度本身有瑕疵，可以透過民主政治(這就是民主政治的最大意義)經由國會立法機關，修改法律變更競選規則，但請千萬不要質疑民主政治的本身意義。

眾所皆知西元2000年美國總統大選，民主黨高爾與共和黨布希形成差距極小的後果，在選舉人票最具關鍵性的最後決戰佛州，布希只贏高爾不到0.5％左右，因此依法重新驗票，佛州高等法院准許了高爾陣營驗票的要求，但36天後該案上訴到聯邦最高法院時，最高法院裁定佛州高院准許進行人工重新計票的決定是為違憲的，而否決這個決定，同時也全面停止驗票，確定布希贏得佛州選舉人票，也同時贏得總統大選。

當時高爾曾經發表了感人的落選聲明，相信幾年前有不少網友都曾收過這封email，我在文章最後將其再轉貼一次。相對於一個偉大的國家，個人的輸贏其實並不重要，如果想要服務公眾還有除了選舉之外很多做法，落選的高爾近幾年推動環保，也獲得豐盛的結果。因此高雄市長法院二審判決其實是在寫台灣選舉歷史，民主制度絕對不是最完美的制度，但既然制度已經制定，參與的候選人應該要遵守制度，同時法律及司法就是彌補民主制度最重要的一種系統及工具。2000年美國總統大選，雖然已全國普選票數來說，高爾贏過布希，但因為美國選舉制度，布希卻以比較多的選舉人票贏得總統寶座。而即便高爾陣營有意見，也仍然是透過法律途徑尋求解決，這種風度及風範就是民主最珍貴的真諦。沒有什麼事非我來做不可！也不會因為輸贏就翻臉，更不會因為政權轉移造成流血及衝突。

相對來講台灣選舉制度其實很明確，各種選舉也已經深植在人心，台灣也締造了2000年的和平政權轉移，這一次法院判決，黃俊英先生首先示範了民主政治最可貴的精神，雖然他敗選，但他尋求法律途徑救濟，我們要檢討的是台灣司法的拖延，整整在一年後才做出判決確定，其實是很不好的。不過最令人感動的是，在判決結果出爐後，黃俊英先生發表了這個聲明，請見以下原文，引用自聯合新聞網2007/11/18：

標題：無愧與不捨
http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/4101568.shtml
聲明中這一段令人動容：
面對選後的選舉訴訟，我一以貫之。在二審宣判前，很多人問我，如果敗訴，我會怎樣面對？雖然很多人提出拒絕接受、強烈抗議、包圍法院等建議，我自己對最後的敗訴也不服氣，也有懷疑，但我還是選擇「尊重司法」，雖然司法也可能犯錯、甚至被扭曲，但這是避免讓高雄繼續受傷的唯一方法。

我們期盼黃俊英先生可以繼續在教學或者其他領域奉獻其專業，更期盼他能夠再次參加競選，在贏得選舉後為大眾服務，但他這次有風度的示範，以及對於民主政治的深入理解，無疑為台灣爭取到最美麗的一段和解，同時也帶領台灣往更高層的民主階段邁進，為此我在此為文向黃俊英先生致敬，同時祝福他往後有機會為台灣服務！

延伸閱讀：
2000年美國總統大選高爾落選聲明全文，從不知名的email轉貼：

Good evening. Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States,and I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.
I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we justpassed.
晚安。我稍早與小布希聯絡過，恭賀他成為第四十三任美國總統，也向他保證這次不會再收回敗選聲明。我表示希望能盡快與他會面，以彌補我們剛經歷過因競選和抗辯所造成的分裂。

Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told AbrahamLincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless hisstewardship of this country.Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neitherof us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, asit must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
在將近一個半世紀前，參議員道格拉斯告訴剛剛在總統大選中擊敗他的對手林肯：「國家重於黨派意識。我支持你，總統先生，願上帝保佑你。」基於同樣精神，我在此要向小布希表示，政黨間的積怨必須先擺一邊，願上帝保佑他的領導。我們兩人都未曾料到這場選戰會如此漫長艱辛，我們也不願意見到這樣的情況發生，然而還是發生了，透過我們引以為傲的民主體制，現在已經解決，結束了，也必須結束了。

Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto,"Not under man but under God and law. That's the ruling principle ofAmerican freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberationsof all the complex issues of the past five weeks.Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision. I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the ElectoralCollege. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and thestrength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
美國一所傑出法學院的圖書館內，刻著「非臣服於人，而是臣服於上帝與法律之下」的格言，這是美國自由精神的準則，也是美國民主自由的起源。在這次的選票爭議中，我努力以此作為自己的原則，而這句話也指引美國在過去五週仔細處理重要且複雜的議題。現在最高法院已做出判決，一切爭議就到此為止。我對最高法院的判決非常不認同，但我接受，接受這個確認的結果。今晚，為了人民的團結以及美國民主的健全，我在此承認敗選。

I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally,to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supportedthe cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for ourcountry.
我同時接受我應付的責任，無條件支持新的總統當選人，並盡一切協助他促進人民團結，以實現獨立宣言所揭示憲法所保障捍衛的願景。我在此對支持本人及支持我們奮鬥目標的民眾表示感激。內人和我十分感謝李伯曼夫婦，他們為我們的合作帶來熱誠與崇高的目標，並為我們的競選活動及國家開啟新的一扇門。

This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseenpaths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new commonground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one peoplewith a shared history and a shared destiny.Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challengesto the popular will.Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the resultpeacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation.
這是一場特殊的大選，但正如上帝其他不可預期的安排，這場好不容易打破的僵局，帶領我們走向新共識，因為選舉結果的難分軒輊反而提醒我們，我們是擁有相同歷史與命運的同胞。的確，歷史上有多次大選因為結果與多數民意相左，而引起同樣的激烈爭辯和抗爭。其他爭議在得到結果前也曾延宕數週之久，每一次勝選者及敗選者都能抱持和解的精神，心平氣和地接受結果。

So let it be with us.
讓我們這次也如此吧。

I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one seethis contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this electionmight hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do notbelieve it need be so.
我知道許多支持者心裡很失望，我也一樣。但我們必須以對國家的熱愛來取代我們的失望。我還要告訴世界上的其他人，不要把這次選票爭議看作是美國衰弱的象徵。從美國克服的困難中，正好完全展現民主的力量。有些人擔心這次特別的選舉，會對下屆總統推行政務造成不利影響。我並不認為會如此。

President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans – I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done.And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
總統當選人布希所接掌的國家，是一個舉國上下均準備好協助他執行重責大任的國家。我個人將聽其差遣，而且我呼籲所有美國人—尤其是支持我的民眾，團結一致力挺下屆總統。這就是美國：輸贏難分時我們全力以赴；但競選結束後我們捐棄前嫌、團結一致。儘管仍有足夠時間讓我們彼此差異繼續爭論，但此刻我們必須承認：在這些差異中，將我們團結在一起的，遠比分化我們的重要。

While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is ahigher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president.As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and figuratively.
雖然我們仍抱持不同的理念，並未放棄；但在遵從政黨之外有更崇高的職責，這裡是美國，我們將國家高高放在政黨之上，我們將一起支持新總統。我日後的動向，目前尚沒有答案。就像各位一樣，我期待和家人、老朋友一起共度佳節。我想我會回田納西州修修籬笆。

Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you and I will not forget.
I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worthfighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.

有人問我是否會有任何遺憾，我的確有，那就是我失去在未來四年為人民奮鬥的機會，尤其是那些面臨困難及障礙，需要幫助的人、那些覺得自己聲音被忽略的人；我聽見你們的心聲，而我將永誌難忘。在這場選戰中看見了美國，而我很高興我所見到的。它值得我們奮鬥，而我也將一直奮鬥下去。

As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father oncesaid, that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out.So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper andour family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our trulytireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
就今晚結束的選戰而言，我相信家父所說：無論輸得多慘，失敗與勝利一樣，都可以淬練靈魂，使其綻放光芒。對我而言，這場選戰的結束一如開始時：有著蒂波和家人給予我的愛、對上帝的信念、對國家—這個從我參加越戰到擔任副總統以來一直引以為榮的國家—的信念、及對努力不懈的競選工作人員和義工的感激，包括過去36天來所有在佛羅里達州賣力工作的人們。現在政爭已告一段落，我們必須再次為美國人民爭取利益，並為世界上寄望我們領導爭取自由的廣大人民而努力不懈。

In the words of our great hymn, "America, the Beautiful"; "Let us crownthy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."
And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's timefor me to go.
Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
「美麗的美國」這首讚美詩中有一句名言：「讓我們以同胞的愛加冕汝之善行，從此岸到彼岸。」
現在，我的朋友們，套用一句我曾向別人說過的話：我離開的時候到了。
謝謝各位，晚安，願上帝保佑美國。