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So Mr. Brooks, before you further make a fool of yourself in Singapore, be grateful to Canada and not complain because of a temporary disruption in garbage collection in Toronto. Be thankful of the good healthcare system
and the generous old age pension. If you truly like Singapore you should be a citizen. There are lots of Singaporeans who are willing to trade your citizenship if it is possible.
I second that.
On this national day, it is not a day for celebration.
Rather it is a day of reflection, reflection of what it means to be a singaporean.
I had a conversation with an acquaintance. He told me that he had just completed his 4-year degree and masters. Free of charge. Plus a monthly allowance. Just do a six year bond. No repayment.
As far as conversation goes, there is no way to verify the truth of this. So just take it as a conversation piece.
Yet I remember another conversation. This guy was from the local U and he was complaining about the projected education cost increase. He studied, paid for his studies himself by holding a part-time commission-based job.
One is a non-Singaporean. He enjoyed free education. The other is a Singaporean. He pays for his own education.
Yes, there will always be foreigners wanting to become Singaporeans.
I am not certain if Singapore is a permanent stop for them. If they are of Jet Li's wealth, i would say 'yes'. To the wealthy businessmen, filmstars and politicians, Singapore is a good place because they pay no estate duty which ensures greater privacy for their assets and a safe haven for their wealth.
But for others, I am reasonably certain that there will be an exodus of these foreign-born "Singaporeans" to a better land, possibly Canada, once their bond is up.
Thus National Day is not neccessarily a day of celebration.
It can also be a day of reflection. Of the path that Singapore is taking and what it means to us. Not as Singaporeans because that has become a multi-layered word. But as people living on this piece of land which carries the name, "Singapore".