The Peking Duck received an e-mail that provides information on the trashy democracy that has started to develop in Shanghai.:
Last night I saw this article (below), in the Shanghai Daily. In a nutshell, Shanghainese can vote online for the colors of the city’s new garbage trucks. I thought this was amusing because on PD we have discussed how some Chinese leaders maintain that the Chinese people are “not ready” for democracy, meanwhile nothing is ever done to make them more “ready”.
Well, first we had voting for the Super Yoghurt Girl. Now we have voting for the color of Shanghai’s garbage trucks! I say elections of national leadership can’t be far off!
Personally, I’m hoping Shanghainese readers will place their vote for the dark blue color scheme, which would add a dignified splash of color to the city. However, if the voters choose the day-glo lime green, I just may join those declaring that Chinese are “not ready” for voting.
Technorati Tags: asia, east asia, china, northeast asia
February 17th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Were I a Shanghaian I’d vote for the flashy orange truck.
Any color would be fine, I suppose, as long as it’s not that puppy-sh*t brown option…
February 21st, 2006 at 7:07 am
I wonder if Richard realize China’s leadership is already elected, indirectly, that is.
Aren’t district People’s Congress deputies directly elected? They go on to elect People’s Congress on national level.
Sure, many posts are in fact appointed, but then again our own government has many high level positions are appointed by the president, based not on compentency but people’s ability to raise money?