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Announcer: You’re listening to: Top of the Topics!

[中文] 台灣民主世界第八，選舉是因素之一

Now, please welcome your host, Chuck McSilver!

Chuck: Hello and welcome to another episode of Top of the Topics! The show where if you don’t know the news …

Audience: You Lose!

Chuck: Let’s meet today’s contestants: ladies and gentlemen, say hello to May and Ben!

Chuck: May, Ben, welcome to the show!

Both: Thanks Chuck!

Chuck: May, you’re last weeks’ winner …

May: And this weeks’ too, Chuck!

Chuck: Wowsers! Think you can stop her, Ben?

Ben: I don’t know, she’s really smart!

Chuck: There’s only one way to find out! Let’s go to Clever Corner and welcome back everyone’s favorite resident know-it-all’s grandfather, Old Grandpappy Smartypants! How you doing, Pops?

OGS: Well, my bus was late this morning! And the shop was all outta dried fruit …

Chuck: OK …

OGS: And my arthritis is hurting like a …

Chuck: … Pops! Tell us the topic this week, please!

OGS: Elections in Taiwan

Chuck: Okie-Cayote … May, Ben, I’ll give you a word, you give us a definition. First correct answer wins. Fingers on buzzers. Ready? … Word one: ‘Elections’ May.

May: It’s when lots of people vote for something!

Chuck: Correct! Pops?

OGS: In a recent report, Taiwan’s democracy was ranked 8th best in the whole world! Plus, it was the only democracy in Asia to make it into the top ten

Chuck: Word two: ‘Democracy’ Ben.

Ben: “Of the people, for the people, by the people!”

Chuck: That sounds great! Did you just come up with that?

Ben: That was Abraham Lincoln, Chuck. In a democracy the state is governed by its citizens. They get to choose who represents them in government

Chuck: Correct! One point each. Pops?

OGS: Here, it’s someone’s job to announce a candidate’s name every time a vote for them is counted. This is to avoid any cheating, and is unique to Taiwan’s democratic system.

Chuck: Word three: ‘Candidate’ Ben.

Ben: Anyone who’s trying to get elected, and win people’s votes!

Chuck: Correct! Pops?

OGS: Get out your democracy diaries, kids! Here’s two dates for ya: September 15th is International Democracy Day, and on November 26th you’ll have a chance to support your favorite candidate in your local government elections. Don’t waste that vote!

Chuck: Uh-oh! That sound means we’ve run out of time, and Ben’s our winner with two points!

Ben: Wait, really?!

May: Congratulations Ben!

Ben: Gee, thanks May … I can’t believe it!