The following is a brief roundup of selected local newspaper editorials Friday: China Times: Re-drafting 2010 government budget bill The Executive Yuan has come up with a special budget bill of NT$100 billion for relief and reconstruction in the aftermath of the flooding caused by Typhoon Morakot. We can understand why the Executive Yuan will have recourse to a special budget bill to deal with the disaster, because the government's general budget bill has already been formulated and is ready for presentation in September to the legislature for debate. However, the easy way out is not necessarily the best way, because the government's general budget bill was worked out before the flooding and the government's agenda is sure to be revised in light of this new situation. Therefore, we urge the Executive Yuan to overhaul its budget plan completely rather than simply tack a special bill onto it. Liberty Times: Ma should heed people's voice against him Ma's popularity cannot be boosted by replacing the premier or reshuffling the Cabinet, which are being made scapegoats to protect him. From the crisis triggered by Typhoon Morakot, Ma should take three lessons: 1. He should respect the Legislative Yuan and lawmakers, rather than dictate to it; and lawmakers, especially those from the ruling Kuomintang, should supervise the Executive Yuan closely. 2. He should learn to exchange views with the opposition and push policy only with the opposition's consent; 3. He should give the people the final voice in laying out national policy, especially his pro-China policy. United Daily News: Is Hseh Hsiang-chuan at fault, or the person who picked him as a Cabinet member? Hseh Hsiang-chuan, secretary-general of the Cabinet, caused an uproar when he defended his dinning with his family at a restaurant while the island was being pounded by Typhoon Morakot. He, as well as several other Cabinet members who have committed similar faux pas, have become a millstone around the neck of Ma's administration. Is that their fault, or the fault of Ma who choose them for the posts ? Apple Daily: Debunking the myth of Ph.Ds value in Cabinet President Ma's Cabinet is known for its many doctorate degree holders. But the Cabinet is also known for its sluggish response to emergencies, ineptness in executing policy, inability to strategize on how to achieve goals, and ineffective communication with the people. Cabinet members who do not have the necessary savoir faire and shrewdness cannot be expected to push the Cabinet's policies, far less cement the president's leadership. This is because most of the Cabinet members are well-educated technocrats -- as are the president and the premier -- and they are out of touch with the people. None of them have ever gone through the baptism of fire of an election. We therefore suggest that the president replace his present Cabinet with a cast of veteran politicians, successful business executives and elected chiefs of local government. 