GE Election 2011 rallies have begun. Huge turnout at opposition rallies. Fiery speeches been lashed out. Life in Singapore will not be the same for the next eleven days. Singaporeans are now deciding who to vote for. Vote wisely they are informed. Their future depends on which political party they vote. However, Singaporeans are being short changed in a certain way. Some may think that if they vote in an opposition party, changes can be made immediately. Unfortunately, a new political party that takes up government ship in Singapore cannot change the present policies that are in place for the first term. They only can make changes if they are voted in for a second term. Therefore, Singaporeans still have to live with the present policies for five years. I apologise for this rude awaking.
Election rallies are rallies where political parties pledge to help their fellow countrymen in any way they can. They create manifestos to promise their supporters that they would make their lives better. Even come out with polices that can outdo the present policies. However, bear in mind, these polices may look workable but they have not been tried and tested. Everybody wants cheaper housing, cheaper transport, cheaper medical bills and a more affordable life style to live in. However, at the same time, they want to enjoy good food, good entertainment and be able to live a rather high standard way of life. Singaporeans want both sides of their bread buttered. It is not possible to do so.
There always has been a huge turnout at opposition rallies and not at PAP rallies. One reason is that speeches at opposition rallies are much more fiery than those at PAP rallies. Maybe the opposition feel that by using forceful speeches, they would win more votes. Well, they may be successful. If their supporters vote for them, all is well and good. However, on polling day, they may change their minds and vote for the PAP. It is actually good that the opposition give alternative ways to govern the country and if the PAP is smart, they can pick out certain points and tweak it to their advantage.
With 82 seats being contested out of 87, it shows that there are now more people willing to go into politics to challenge the ruling party. It is a good sign. It makes Singapore look more democratic. Singapore is a unique country. It is not a country whereby the Singaporeans are looking for an alternative government. Therefore, the “we need a change” shouts are just shouts encoring the “American” presidential campaign but without true substance. What Singaporeans want and which I have always wanted is to have a strong opposition in Parliament so that policies being implemented by the ruling party can be properly debated and not be one sided. This is a making of a true democratic country. Whether we become a true democratic country, we would have to wait and see. It may not happen in my life time but I hope it would one day. It will also help to strengthen the ruling party resolve to be more caring to their citizens and help the needy in one way or another.
For example, the implementation of the IR integrated resorts. There was protest against the building of the casinos due to religious grounds, the fear of our society becoming delinquent and the increase of gambling addiction which in turn would destroy the social moral fabric of Singapore.
However, gambling has been in the blood of Singaporeans since the early 1960’s, buying 4D comes in mind, so there were already Singaporeans being addicted to gambling and some even go as far to Macau to gamble. The creation of the IR’s was inevitable as countries around us were all re-inventing themselves into global cities (read my topic on Singapore’s urbanisation renewal – coming soon). Foreigners were going to other countries to enjoy the different exotic vibrant and exciting entertainment (theme parks, exotic food, shopping for branded goods and attending international exhibitions and concerts and night life – dancing and drinking ) that were being served to them on a silver platter. Singapore had only to offer the entertainment being served at Orchard Road to foreigners. To draw the who who’s in the entertainment, food and shopping industries, casinos had to be built. Profits earned by the Casinos also help to subsidize their operations. This happens to every other county. Our government knew that building the casinos was vital in order to attract investors to set up their restaurants, shopping and entertainment outlets to our shores yet we were told that building a casino was only secondary. This was to down play people’s fear of the disintegration of the social moral fabric of Singapore brought about by gambling and the objection of building a casino on religious grounds. If there was a strong opposition, this point could have been raised and we would not be “conned” by the ruling party.
There are more cons not to vote for the PAP. The opposition knows this. The world looks at Singapore as a country of great stability. Thanks to one man and his team in the 60’s. Investors and businessmen flock to Singapore shores to pump their money into our county to help them make more money and also improve Singapore’s economy. It is a win win situation. PAP has given foreigners great opportunities to make a good living it is shores. Singaporeans grumble that they cannot find jobs because foreigners are taking their jobs, however, do we have the talent to do certain jobs like running an MNC or taking up jobs in the health or construction industries like nursing and construction work. Foreigners like Filipinos and Indians flock to Singapore to find jobs because our dollar value is very strong as compared to theirs and they enjoy better security and stability in their jobs. They also face no corruption problems.
The government has helped most Singaporeans to have a good education. Hence, we have become choosy in our job search. How many Singaporeans would apply for jobs that are considered “low” class? If there are no foreigners who would do this “low” class jobs which actually make them rich due to our strong dollar value, who would do it?
Lets’ say if a new party is ruled in and they implement their policies of cheaper housing, cheaper transport, cheaper medical bills and a more affordable life style to live in ( bear in mind that they can only do it in the second term because a new ruling party can only make policy changes if they are voted in for the second term), their policies may survive in the short run. Prices of oil, gas, electricity & medical fees would always be on the rise. Eventually the opposition party would have to raise prices on goods, transportation and entertainment. It all goes back to square one. Furthermore, for Singapore to strive as a global city, they have to attract the who who’s in the restaurant, shopping and entertainment businesses and they do not come cheap. Therefore, in order for Singapore to grow, the rise in prices is inevitable. People must find a way to upgrade themselves. The opposition should concentrate on policies on how to raise the standard of those in the lower spectrum in order to meet the standard of the middle income or even those in the high income belt. They should help them rise above the poverty level. It would not speak well for a government if there is a high portion of its citizens that are below the poverty belt.
A few polices I can think that can help citizens are:-
- Free education to those who cannot afford. Be it in a government school or a private institution.
- Provide free medical treatment to those in the lower income. Relax on the rule and regulations on those who can be eligible for free medical treatment. Reduce red tape.
- Let singles buy brand new HDB flats. If we were to become a 1st world country, then the “ridiculous “ fear of not letting singles buy new HDB flats because it would encourage babies being born out of the wedlock should be abolished.
- Single mothers should be entitled to the same medical benefits that married mother have. This would further help increase the “greying” population of Singapore.
- Build bigger and spacious flats and not like those who make you feel like you are in the prison cell. This would encourage couples to have more children as they would have more rooms to sleep in and more space for their children to run about in their houses.
To end, I will provide a chain message sent by a friend that advises one and all to vote wisely as our vote would determine our future in Singapore. Take care and God Bless. Have a great weekend.
While walking down the street one day a political candidate is tragically hit by a truck and dies.The political candidate’s soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance."Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter.
"Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.
""No problem, just let me in," says the political candidate.St. Peter says, "Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.
""Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven, I'm already dressed in white." says the MP."I'm sorry, but we have our rules", replies St.Peter.And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St.Peter is waiting for him."Now it's time to visit heaven," St Peter says.So, 24 hours pass with the political candidate joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and the 24 hours in heaven passes by and St Peter returns.
"Well, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now which will you choose for your eternity?" St Peter asks.The political candidate reflects for a minute, then he answers, "Well, I never would have thought it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be happier and better off .. in hell.
"So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.The Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder."I don't understand," stammers the political candidate.
"Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning..Today you have voted."
