I used the word 'hypocrisy' in the sense that all of a sudden, the voter is most courted person during this period.
By the PAP in its search for the continuance of its power. As elections are democratic and one man is entitled to one vote, then insofar as the election system of GRCs and SMCs allow, the process will result in democratically elected leaders.
For the past five years, the PAP scorecard include disastrous investments, bringing in foreigners to the extent that singaporeans are marginalized, town councils acting as fund managers and losing money, MPs whose existence you would have never known except for the cardboard boxes.
Doubtless PAP supporters will dispute that, pointing to profits generated by Temasek, the grassroots efforts spearheaded by the MPs, the need to keep conservancy fees low by the Town Councils.
On the other hand, the scorecards of the WP and SDA are even worse. The elected leaders are largely silent on the issues that impacted Singaporean lives, leave the voicing to disenchanted Singaporeans.
Doubtless their supporters will disputed that. The unfairness of the media, the solitary voices in Parliament, the unfair playing ground during Elections.
Hence the drama in these pre-Election days:
After the Elections, what are likely to happen?
Therefore beyond the hypocrisy of the Elections which is nothing more than a circus of entertainment every 5 years, what will the Singaporeans do in-between Elections?
Thus for Singaporeans, in these pre-Election days perhaps we should ponder what should this Election (whether in 2010, 2011, 2012) mean to us?
Not in the sense of a coffee shop talk where we have nothing better to do.
But in the sense of understanding the underlying political issues with a view of good voting decisions. Actually only one decision. Yes or No. The question is 'which?'
By the PAP in its search for the continuance of its power. As elections are democratic and one man is entitled to one vote, then insofar as the election system of GRCs and SMCs allow, the process will result in democratically elected leaders.
For the past five years, the PAP scorecard include disastrous investments, bringing in foreigners to the extent that singaporeans are marginalized, town councils acting as fund managers and losing money, MPs whose existence you would have never known except for the cardboard boxes.
Doubtless PAP supporters will dispute that, pointing to profits generated by Temasek, the grassroots efforts spearheaded by the MPs, the need to keep conservancy fees low by the Town Councils.
On the other hand, the scorecards of the WP and SDA are even worse. The elected leaders are largely silent on the issues that impacted Singaporean lives, leave the voicing to disenchanted Singaporeans.
Doubtless their supporters will disputed that. The unfairness of the media, the solitary voices in Parliament, the unfair playing ground during Elections.
Hence the drama in these pre-Election days:
PAP - telling us that our voices are heard; they will moderate entry of foreign talent, treasure more the singaporeans over PRs and at the same time, give us a warning that our HDB prices may be affected (although that is true given the data available in the HDB website in which case it can be construed as a statement rather than a threat)
WP & SDA - silence, largely. Except to tell Singaporeans that WP will not contest in Ang Mo Kio which carries a vast amount of implications - a message perhaps that is intended more for the PAP than the voters, given their propensity to silence. And that SDA will contest in Toa Payoh.
WP & SDA - silence, largely. Except to tell Singaporeans that WP will not contest in Ang Mo Kio which carries a vast amount of implications - a message perhaps that is intended more for the PAP than the voters, given their propensity to silence. And that SDA will contest in Toa Payoh.
After the Elections, what are likely to happen?
PAP - likely to increase GST, PUB, Town Council, etc, etc, etc; medical inflation up, etc, etc. Their own salaries up.
WP & SDA - silence, largely.
WP & SDA - silence, largely.
Therefore beyond the hypocrisy of the Elections which is nothing more than a circus of entertainment every 5 years, what will the Singaporeans do in-between Elections?
Discussions of the past (Hock Lee Riots), old leaders (Rajaratnam) which brings nostalgia for some but are of no or limited relevance to today's issues. A way of passing time.
Continued anger about PAP policies with disgruntled singaporeans doing the work of the oppositions.
Migrations.
Continued anger about PAP policies with disgruntled singaporeans doing the work of the oppositions.
Migrations.
Thus for Singaporeans, in these pre-Election days perhaps we should ponder what should this Election (whether in 2010, 2011, 2012) mean to us?
Not in the sense of a coffee shop talk where we have nothing better to do.
But in the sense of understanding the underlying political issues with a view of good voting decisions. Actually only one decision. Yes or No. The question is 'which?'
