Your indulgence please. If you don't like to read what I've shared, please move on.
Went to Sitex Fair on Saturday with the aim of upgrading my digital camera which is still useable and good. Armed with an ammo of about $600, I pushed through the amazingly crowded halls.
After scouting around and asking and handtesting a few cameras, narrowed it to three branded models - about the same specification and price more or less - which I had eyed even before the exhibition.
Before parting with that $600, which I could easily have bought a big item like a fridge or washing machine the whole household can use, rather than that tiny camera which is meant for my leisure only, I gave it one last thought. You may ask me why bother? It was natural after walking past the crippled, singing aunty on a wheelchair, trying to sell a few packets of tissue paper along the crowded narrow corridor leading to the EXPO halls. $600 could go a long, long way for her.
My first thought was with SM Goh - who advised us to spend and spend - so as to stimulate the economy as it gives these sales people a job.
My second thought goes to PM Lee - who says that spending is not an effective way to stimulate the economy for such a small country. He says every dollar spent, 60%goes out of the country. I wouldn't like to enrich the foreign countries who already are FTs all over our place.
Who should I listen to? Both are great leaders, and scholars. Rarely do we have top government leaders giving opposing views or policies.
So I came out of EXPO - empty-handed - saved for a few pamphlets which I bought home to study and reconsider again. I did not lose sleep over it.
So I thought about the many wise people in this forum - who may better advise me. A great decision has to be made by this evening - when The EXPO ends.
How I wish life is not that complicated. On the way back in our superb standing-room only MRT train - from one end of the line to the other end - I stood next to a Filipino couple. They each had two big bundles from the EXPO between their legs - looking very happy - a successful bargain. They probably have read the advice of SM Goh. Who was it who said in Lima, Peru that there was no dilemma?
Went to Sitex Fair on Saturday with the aim of upgrading my digital camera which is still useable and good. Armed with an ammo of about $600, I pushed through the amazingly crowded halls.
After scouting around and asking and handtesting a few cameras, narrowed it to three branded models - about the same specification and price more or less - which I had eyed even before the exhibition.
Before parting with that $600, which I could easily have bought a big item like a fridge or washing machine the whole household can use, rather than that tiny camera which is meant for my leisure only, I gave it one last thought. You may ask me why bother? It was natural after walking past the crippled, singing aunty on a wheelchair, trying to sell a few packets of tissue paper along the crowded narrow corridor leading to the EXPO halls. $600 could go a long, long way for her.
My first thought was with SM Goh - who advised us to spend and spend - so as to stimulate the economy as it gives these sales people a job.
My second thought goes to PM Lee - who says that spending is not an effective way to stimulate the economy for such a small country. He says every dollar spent, 60%goes out of the country. I wouldn't like to enrich the foreign countries who already are FTs all over our place.
Who should I listen to? Both are great leaders, and scholars. Rarely do we have top government leaders giving opposing views or policies.
So I came out of EXPO - empty-handed - saved for a few pamphlets which I bought home to study and reconsider again. I did not lose sleep over it.
So I thought about the many wise people in this forum - who may better advise me. A great decision has to be made by this evening - when The EXPO ends.
How I wish life is not that complicated. On the way back in our superb standing-room only MRT train - from one end of the line to the other end - I stood next to a Filipino couple. They each had two big bundles from the EXPO between their legs - looking very happy - a successful bargain. They probably have read the advice of SM Goh. Who was it who said in Lima, Peru that there was no dilemma?
:p
