Crumbling of Singapore?

[neddy]

It's not just the riding. It's the landscape photography http://www.evokenz.com/canvas-shop/landscape-photography/

The chance to give it a blast once in a while http://www.totalexperience.co.nz/dr...land/129200/?gclid=CNCpucieh60CFYaBpAodXTwGSA

Or a blast in the water http://www.nzjetski.co.nz/

Or fishing galore http://www.fishing.net.nz/

These experiences aren't govt dependent. National or Labour, left leaning or right wing.. it doesn't change the NZ landscape.

However, if I was interested in making big money, Singapore would be the place for me.

At the end of the day, it's all about personal choices.

Wow.

Those activities are escapes from the TV showing the latest pollie antics, ignoring an ongoing election or getting away from a commotion involving natives catching shellfish above the quota ... and indulged in perfecting that depth of field for a good photo or waiting for the correct angle of morning sunrays to fall on a scenery.

It is the fun of getting the marco lens to do the perfect close-up on a flower and bracketing my photoshot to capture best of the Kodak digital moment.

It is the joy of hanging out with mates to discovering the right spots to set up pots for catching lobsters.

 

[freedalas]

The bottom 20% are the the "underclass". They exist in all societies. A good government is one that provides every opportunity for those who are motivated to succeed and life and the fact that one in six households has more than a million bucks in assets speaks for itself.

No government can make everyone millionaires. What they can do is create an environment where opportunities abound for those who want to make good in life. By this measure, the PAP is tops.

It's a no-brainer that in all societies there is an "underclass" segment. What percentage this is varies from country to country but granted that you're right that it is about 20%, it is again too idealistic a view to take that the PAP has created an environment where opportunities abound for those who want to make good in life. The PAP idoes not have this as its objective. What they are doing is to create an environment where the government-linked companies earn the most revenue, in fact not just any revenue, but super profits year after year. The public transport companies are best examples of this, where to ensure that they earn hundreds of million each year, fares are raised frequently. To achieve that, the PAP had come out with policies that are detrimental to its people but benefit the companies they own.

I do not for one second believe that forummers here expect the government to make millionaires of everyone. That's the kind of argument used by people who couldn't substantiate their defense of the PAP's abdication of their social responsibilities as a government. If one chooses to use such a generality as a starting point, then there's no use in discussing with that person anymore, because there's none so blind as those who would not see. There are many out there who are doing all their best to make good in life, but yet are struggling to make ends meet instead. If as you said the government has indeed created a conducive environment, would this be the case. Again to make a sweeping statement that all who did not succeed in life is due to their lack of trying is the mind of a political juvenile. Many many out there struggling will tell you that.

 

[Leongsam]

I There are many out there who are doing all their best to make good in life, but yet are struggling to make ends meet instead. If as you said the government has indeed created a conducive environment, would this be the case. Again to make a sweeping statement that all who did not succeed in life is due to their lack of trying is the mind of a political juvenile. Many many out there struggling will tell you that.

They're probably doing it the wrong way. Trying to achieve success by running full speed into a brick wall over and over again can cause long term chronic pain. They should learn to work the system to their advantage.

That said it's still a fact of life that some people are simply too dumb to succeed no matter how hard they try. For that they should blame their gene pool. The govt can't guarantee that no Singaporean will be born stupid. Neither can they prevent anyone from acquiring the traits of the village idiot along the way.

Humans aren't born equal. That's simply nature's way. There have been many attempts to create a society where everyone is equal regardless of their capabilities. None have succeeded. Human nature gets in the way.

 

[Leongsam]

Wow.

Those activities are escapes from the TV showing the latest pollie antics, ignoring an ongoing election or getting away from a commotion involving natives catching shellfish above the quota ...

Never watch those dumb reality shows and didn't really pay much attention to the election campaign either. I'm a National voter. I cast my vote early as I was away on election day.

 

[TracyTan866]

Thanks. One more point to rebut Mr Leongsam. He said 60% is considered a very good margin of electoral victory in other countries. But we are not talking about other countries where traditionally the margin of victory by any single political has always been very narrow. We are talking about S'pore where the PAP had enjoyed very large margin of victory in past elections, so when this was watered to just 60% in the last GE, it is of course a very substantial drop and clearly a sizable erosion of the people's mandate as compared to those of the past given to the PAP. Again, it is naively simplistic to simply cite generalities of situations elsewhere whereas the discussion ought to be focused in the context of S'pore political history.

Well said. You are very discerning and knowledgeable. Like I said b4, the pap getting only 60% after using unfair tactics, shows that, 40% of Singaporeans see through the wiles and evils of the pap. This number will grow and 2011 sees the beginning of PAP's demise, because their lies are exposed.

Unlike many here who see darkness for SG because 60% voted for the pap in 2011, I see light because 40% were able to see through the fog of the pap. That's catalyst for change. That's cause for optimism

 

[TracyTan866]

davai! davai! you will earn my vote

your hope and strong belief for NS abolition will be fulfilled one day..

 

[TracyTan866]

The bottom 20% are the the "underclass". They exist in all societies. A good government is one that provides every opportunity for those who are motivated to succeed and life and the fact that one in six households has more than a million bucks in assets speaks for itself.

No government can make everyone millionaires. What they can do is create an environment where opportunities abound for those who want to make good in life. By this measure, the PAP is tops.

I am glad that you are finally seeing my point. Yes, in every society, there is an upper class and there is an underclass. what I am against the writer is that he writes like a pap member. He highlights the upper class and neglected mentioning the underclass. This is selective reporting and presents a skewed picture of Singapore. this is what the pap wants people to know abt Singapore and there is a hidden agenda. But shd we condone such pap propaganda and not ask for the whole truth to be reported?

The pap is a champion in such skewed reporting...they report half truths to sway opinions. the pap is the pariah in this part of the world, well disliked by our neighbours. It used to report the bad news of Malaysia and Indonesia, and neglecting the good parts of the country.

Is this what we want of a responsible govt? they will say that they are mentioning the truth...but what i am saying is that they are not mentioning the whole truth. Singaporeans shd demand that the pap mentions the whole truth.

The pap speaks accolades of its achievements but kept quiet about its failures and neglects to mention that Singaporeans are well educated and hardworking and contributed much to SG's success. SG's achievements are partly the result of the hardworking people. Instead, the pap wants foreigners to believe that Singaporeans are daft and complacent...is that how the pap should behave, running down its citizens? If it continues to behave this way, there is going to be a grwoing divide between the pap and Singaporeans

Think...LeongSam!!!

 

[TracyTan866]

maybe Singapore don't have large area of grassland where one can ride freely? you know? like the one where Gandalf was riding the horse whilst charging at Sauron's minions. NZ has that lah :p:p:p

Do you think SG govt is better than the aus govt or nz govt?

 

[TracyTan866]

The up and coming Singapore that I grew up in do not exist anymore.

In those days, investments are for the future, and thrift and honesty to the people is what set Singapore apart from Lee Kuan Yew's peers in post colonial Africa and Asia.

Whatever Singapore do turned into "gold". Because America introduced money backed by imagination. The end of a gold-backed USD opened up to endless opportunities.

What a lot of Singaporeans do not know is that Lee has chosen to destroy institutions important to Singapore's future.

We are look at the consequences of Lee's failed policies on Singapore now.

There is now an elite ruling class that is all about self preservation.
There are also over-rewarding for the chosen privileged class.

There is also a dyfunctional system of GRC voting that allows even more nepotism like Tin Pei Ling to succeed where a brighter candidate fail.


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TracyTan866 has painted a rather naive view of NZ, not due to his/her fault.

It is precisely because of that "wonderful" one-stop "first world" dragon service provided by Singapore that such a naive view is formed.

NZ is more than just Milford Sound, it also has a lesser known Doubtful Sound.

Perhaps it is fair for me to say that I know where Sam Leong is coming from, despite not living in NZ.

I live in a REAL country called Australia with all its REAL beauty and REAL imperfections. OK, REAL beauty in Tassie (Tasmania) rather than the arid "beauty". But there are only 6 Singaporean families and I will find very hard not to network with them. NZ is closer to Tassie.

I see NZ imperfections in the strange tiny things Kiwis do - from running their Defense force's ancient Land Rovers while stationed in Singapore, loss of most of their Air Force, the Auckland Harbour Bridge,etc and I realise that the govt and the Pacific Islanders & natives living there must be pretty dumb.

But if I find fault with the govt or people, it is very much the same in Australia or Singapore. My life will be very miserable wondering at how stupid ideas like rights overresponsibilities, inclusiveness, multi-culturalism and same sex marriages exists (why can't same sex marriages call their union something else)

The reason why people like me migrate is to pursue the more important things in life, besides money.

Unlike Sam who still treat Singapore a second home, I prefer HongKong as my Aussie Summer retreat, and now Japan.

Like people of my generation, I am quite worried for young Singaporeans, Japanese, Aussies, etc
I am glad that I do not need to take up so much debts, or so sleep deprived.
The world had a good run, with Industrialization. But then, we had Globalisation, Financialisation and now Monetarisation. How outdated sovereign states can find solutions for globalised problems - very bleak.
So, people should be more mobile, just like multi-nationals corporation.

If anyone bother to read my post until the thispart, thank you for listening to my rambling.

Would you advise young Singaporeans to stay in SG or migrate to aus if they have the opportunity?

 

[TracyTan866]

It's not just the riding. It's the landscape photography http://www.evokenz.com/canvas-shop/landscape-photography/

The chance to give it a blast once in a while http://www.totalexperience.co.nz/dr...land/129200/?gclid=CNCpucieh60CFYaBpAodXTwGSA

Or a blast in the water http://www.nzjetski.co.nz/

Or fishing galore http://www.fishing.net.nz/

These experiences aren't govt dependent. National or Labour, left leaning or right wing.. it doesn't change the NZ landscape.

However, if I was interested in making big money, Singapore would be the place for me.

At the end of the day, it's all about personal choices.

if your advice is sought, considering his well being and future, wld you recommend that a young Singaporean migrate to NZ or stay in SG?

 

[TracyTan866]

It's a no-brainer that in all societies there is an "underclass" segment. What percentage this is varies from country to country but granted that you're right that it is about 20%, it is again too idealistic a view to take that the PAP has created an environment where opportunities abound for those who want to make good in life. The PAP idoes not have this as its objective. What they are doing is to create an environment where the government-linked companies earn the most revenue, in fact not just any revenue, but super profits year after year. The public transport companies are best examples of this, where to ensure that they earn hundreds of million each year, fares are raised frequently. To achieve that, the PAP had come out with policies that are detrimental to its people but benefit the companies they own.

I do not for one second believe that forummers here expect the government to make millionaires of everyone. That's the kind of argument used by people who couldn't substantiate their defense of the PAP's abdication of their social responsibilities as a government. If one chooses to use such a generality as a starting point, then there's no use in discussing with that person anymore, because there's none so blind as those who would not see. There are many out there who are doing all their best to make good in life, but yet are struggling to make ends meet instead. If as you said the government has indeed created a conducive environment, would this be the case. Again to make a sweeping statement that all who did not succeed in life is due to their lack of trying is the mind of a political juvenile. Many many out there struggling will tell you that.

well said...I pity Singaporeans. They are burdened with a govt which has lost all touch with making life better for its citizens. the pap govt treats each Singaporean as an economic digit with no feelings and compassion. that's the biggest failure of the pap

 

[TracyTan866]

This morning, NS Line is down again..MRT failure third time in four days

 

[zhihau]

your hope and strong belief for NS abolition will be fulfilled one day..

disclaimer: i advocate the abolishment of military conscription
defences are still required, just as any living organism.

 

[po2wq]

This morning, NS Line is down again..MRT failure third time in four days

smrt is crumbling ...

 

[zhihau]

Do you think SG govt is better than the aus govt or nz govt?

expectations of good governance is purely subjective. 国以民为先。as long as the lower rungs of the society aren't neglected, i reckoned that is a good government.

 

[psy83]

Lets honestly see the credits that should be given to the PAP today....

hmmmmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Gen x and baby boomers had it good but defiantly not for Gen Y, Median wage is about 2.6k while housing/rental is priced for people who should be earning at least 5k a month.

By the way ah leong on the issue of N.z ministers asking for marijuana legalization, I dont see anything wrong witht that..Its the most consume drug in the world that has never had fatalities before, and with or without legalization it will still be consumed extensively in N.z/Australia, even with hard drug laws in sg there are rather many drug abusers here.(Amsterdam with coffeeshop saw the no. of cannabis users go down/maintain btw and I know lots of people who family members grows it Legally in their backyard but they dont smoke it regularly or at all) Btw do N.z cops carry guns? End of the day low crime in Sg is because of the people not because of Laws.

Sg government did good in building Sg up but only to a period. Since 2000 i honestly believe that Sg has started to crumble, Singaporeans are worked the longest hours and has the least vacations in the world. We have to live a structured life and we have to work till we die.(Majority of the population has to), Medical is extremely costly, education cost is going up every single year, males have to give up 2 years of their life, houses are expensive, workers gets exploited but govt doesnt protect them. As adults we already know that not everyone can be a millionair or drive a beemer or live in a landed property..But just to put a roof over our head is extremely costly and that makes us entrapped into debt, Plus the cost of your daily necessities is getting more and more expensive by the day till we end up with little savings and have to work for longer hours and years.

Do we want to live our entire life in this manner and lie on our death bed saying what the fuck did i do and see in life? Australia/N.z is a 1st world country and maybe with "screwed" up politicians or people who smoke dope and all, But end of the day They live in an open society and live life to the fullest.. We can boast about hard-drug laws or tough laws or we got good infrasture.. But all of that is not as important as the quality of life that you live as a human. The human journey should be one that sees life(Good and bad) and live life to the fullest, not live a life of being contained and dictated, telling you what to do and not to do. We got no welfare even when the govt collects so much revenue on a daily basic(For those who needs it), We got no Min-wage, Houses and Medical is expensive and our Jobs are not protected and we got to challenge foreigners for jobs, I think Gen Y has it worst then the Gen X and Baby Boomers, This generation is just coming into the work-force after being in the education system and they have to immediately compete with foreigners who are better educated/trained/cheaper then they are, Things are going to go bad when the a whole lot of the new generation middle class starts disappearing cos they cant compete with the influx cos the education system has not geared them up for the next stage in life and the government is letting Corporations exploit and over-look them.

Yes the government did well in some avenues, But you got to look at the size of the country... Its easier to build plumping, infrastructures etc. Rail network/Transport, keep the ground under surveillance(Police showing force on the ground with frequent patrolling), Asking a huge country like N.z for rail is rather costly and would it be that important to the people of N.z or for foreigners/tourist cos you got to take note that Cars can be bought below 2 to 3k in N.z and Australia.. I bought a starlet in Australia for $600 and it drove well without any break-downs for the 1 yr i drove it.

 

[TracyTan866]

Lets honestly see the credits that should be given to the PAP today....

we are definitely giving credit to the earlier generation of pap leaders and that's why Singaporeans are so tolerant.

But look at the present pap...they cause so much misery to Singaporeans...what credit shd we give them? the present pap cant live on the goodwill of previous leaders' glories

 

[TracyTan866]

smrt is crumbling ...

only smrt is crumbling? look at the list in post 1

 

[TracyTan866]

expectations of good governance is purely subjective. 国以民为先。as long as the lower rungs of the society aren't neglected, i reckoned that is a good government.

are the lower rungs of SG neglected by the pap?

 

[zhihau]

are the lower rungs of SG neglected by the pap?

with the ever rising standards of living, i can only say that their conditions had improved slightly but not fast enough in catching the next wave.