And then we are just back to the point about blindly implementing the rules regardless of the specifics of each case, the point that you repeatedly missed but think you didn't.
And if large numbers of Singaporeans really do take a large proportion of incomes and spend overseas, it's their prerogative, isn't it? And if there are no Causeway jams woes I am pretty sure that you may well be one of the large numbers of Singaporeans doing just that. And that has nothing to do with GST rebates anyway. And even more this has nothing to do with me being myopic than with you recognising that not everyone is as well off as you. People make adjustments in order to save on expenses and stretch their spending, and you are unhappy with that? And that is somehow unpatriotic because SG economy will be doomed? So long as people are legitimately bringing their spending to JB, what justification is there for you to accuse them of being myopic and self-centred? Not forgetting that people can spend a huge chunk of money overseas without even leaving the comforts of their bedroom with convenience of internet shopping. Do you call them myopic and self-centred? Or do you only reserve such words for people who chose to make JB their home, whether temporary of long term?
BTW, your comparing people spending their money overseas with that of smoking in an enclosed room is really absurd so there's really nothing to see, except the absurd nature of the comparison.
You must be just another literal person.
One person smoking in an enclosed room, the effect is minimal.
A hundred people smoking in the same room, can you imagine the effect?
One person doing compare to many doing the same thing at the same time and its effect!!!
I was trying to use a very simple comparison to illustrate my point that even primary school kids understand and you don't.
Lastly, if the amount/percentage of spending is not even relevant, then I don't see why you are even bringing it up. My earlier point was to refute the nonsensical idea that my entire income earned in SG is spent in Malaysia (my meals and other expenses in SG must be free or sponsored by someone's giving then), and that I had contributed nothing to SG economy at all. A Bangladeshi worker can be constructing buildings in SG but remit all his money back to his own country. Are you saying that he did not contribute to SG at all? Must spend money in SG then considered contributing to SG? Your definition of "contributing" is truly myopic.
Rules implemented are meant to broadly applied to a certain spectrum of people and if you fall within this spectrum, well then it shall be applied to you.
Sometimes some people may find themselves disadvantaged because of being at borderline or due to certain conditions.
For example, rules which do not allow people earning below say, $30K p/a to apply for credit card and you happen to be earning $28K and got rejected.
Or you're supposed to pay by the last day of the month and you're late by 2 days and got fined.
Those people affected will bitch non stop like you about stupid rules "blindly implementing regardless of the specifics of each case".
So, it is up to you to approach the appropriate authorities to hear your appeal.
By simply saying that you work in SG, you're contributing to her economy, they all the 300,000 Malaysians coming to work in SG everyday are also doing the same and they are not even Singaporeans.
Or the thousands of Pinoy nurses willing to do the job that Singaporeans shun because without them, the hospitals may not even function properly.
Or the tens of thousands of Chinamen working in the construction sites, factories and restaurants because without them, all the businesses will have to close shop.
And yes, all these people will take or send their earnings back to their respective countries and including you, are all not contributing to the economy.
However, don't forget, all those 300,000 Malaysians, the Pinoy nurses and all other foreign workers plus yourself were paid for your service.
On the other hand, all of you can choose not to work in SG.
Lastly, let me tell you a little something about economy which I think you know very little what its all about.
The economy encompasses all activity related to production, consumption and trade of goods and services in the country, so there are many aspects to it.
It applies to everyone from individuals to companies, corporations and also the governments.
Consumption is an important aspect of the economy and many countries like the US, because of low spending by individuals, it is affecting the economy.
Some countries are actually giving money to the people to spend in order to boost the economy.
By taking your earnings out of the country, broadly speaking, your consumption activities in the country is extremely limited and if many Singaporeans are doing the same, the economy will be drastically affected.
As such, even if you and my cousins are Singaporeans, you all don't deserve the GST rebates.