May be you can try to volunteer for a charity, work for a FSC (Family Service Centre), or just look around your neighbourhood (unless you live in district 9 & 10). And if you are still naive, try this link:

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/my-singapore-my-calcutta/

Ignoring one’s problem nor comparing the problem with someone who is worst off will provide solution to the problem. It’s very easy to talk than to act. That sort of ‘oh, but comparing with some third world countries we are better’ attitude will not ease the pains suffered by our under-dogs. And what’s the point to compare with third world standard when all the while we so rightfully claim ourselves to be a first world citizen? Look at the problem, accept the problem, and do something about the problem.

Btw, how will you feel if your dad picks cans from dust bins, and your mum wipe dirty tables at hawker centres for a living? There’s a chinese saying, 少年不知愁之味. It’s definitely very difficult for one to empathise with someone who lives hand to mouth everyday. You have to see the person, talk to that person, feel his helplessness, and understand his plight. So, go out and be a volunteer! It’s benefitted me, and in return, I have helped to make small changes to their lives.

“Suzhou – lots of goodwill from China. Obvious from the fact that many Chinese now call Singapore home. The growth of talented workers from China can only contribute to the success of Singapore.

and anyway, the government is not untransparent, they do disclose their investments. So your point about lack of transparency lacks weight.”

You explained as though you have just graduated from university and working on your first job. Why not you just part a few thousands of yours to me. Well, surely you will get plenty of goodwill from me. If you make it tens of thousands, I will even address you as angel or saint. Such goodwill is not hard to come by if you are willing to plonk so much into any country.

Now I understand why people of the same kind can define disclosure so loosely. Amanda, if it is private funds (Ah Kong funds), i do not care a hoot of how it is being used. If it is public funds, bear in mind that there are a lot of discerning and interested Singaporeans who have a lot of questions swirling in their minds when such investments are being made.

Yes, making with rule and loophole again. Who is the one to make GIC a public company and make it a mandate to be one in the first place so that it doesn’t need to be accountable at all. The citizen or LKY ?

how one Suzhou determine everything about level of transparency in government really baffles me ! Do enlighten me, ‘intellect one’ !

Let us just put it these ways; ‘kuo jia an wei, pi fu you ze’ everyone has a duty to his country, ‘lu chian bu ping, pa dao xiang zhu’ Let us help the weaks against the crooked and right the wrongs.

Me appreciates You greatly.

patriot.

>>
Yes, Singapore government’s policies may not be very enjoyable in the short term, but they do have the best intentions for the Singapore people and they do what they can to alleviate suffering in the long run.
>>

In the long run, we are all dead– John Maynard Keynes.

>>
Suzhou – lots of goodwill from China.
>>

So much goodwill such the Suzhou City Government decided to sabotage with the Suzhou New District.

There wealthy should read as There are wealthy……….

Thank You!

patriot.

It is not good of me to restate that I and my family have earned our keeps, we owe nobody a living nor do we depend on others for survivals. We have more than enough of material needs. Does all these mean that I should close my eyes and ears? I do, when I am unable to help, but as sentient being, I am prone to play my parts in society. Friends and colleagues warned me time and again, to be careful with my outspoken inclination. As an atheist, I have got nothing to swear and I am declaring here that I also have nothing to fear except bad and evil beings.

There wealthy but unhappy people and there are poor but happy people, read my posts again Amanda and You will realised I have stated that few times in the past. I have no argument with You on this, but elsewhere, we differed. It is understable to me that differences exist between and amongst people. I might have been exposed and enjoyed a much better era, for example before Independence, a time maybe before You were born. Singapore had a very low population, abundance of primary produces then, which You do not know.

People grouse and complain because their wanton material needs are not satisfied; You are spot on amanda. Let me remind You again that I said materialism caused downfalls of kingdoms, not poverty. Singaporean Leaders harped and implementated economy improving policies without the slightest care for spiritual upbringings throughout their rein led to the sad situation today, don’t You agree?

You are quite philosophical, so allow me to consult You, WHAT SHOULD SINGAPOREANS DO? NOW THAT YOU KNOW ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE NET IS CRITICAL OF THE SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT AND LEADERS. Please enlighten us, we will be grateful.

patriot.

Tell me – where are the accounts of the reserves published ?

and anyway, the government is not untransparent, they do disclose their investments. So your point about lack of transparency lacks weight.

Try Suzhou, ShinCorp, Micropolis etc etc How about Optus ?

For example, if a bank know that a new type of battery will fix the world’s oil shortage , they obviously will not tell you that they plan to buy out that company first, would they? That would be a major strategic flaw. If we care about Singapore and its reserves, we should let the government do as it deems best, since doing so is in the national interest, unless of course you think that the government does not act in the national interest, which if that were the case then you should do something about it. Dr Syed Alwi, you are a singaporean aren’t you, you can vote.

First – lets get the Government to publicly account for the reserves. Today its all shrouded in mystery !

let’s say you were given the reins of the Singapore reserves for one day , what and exactly how much $$ and subsidies would you award?

Some of you talk as though we have no right to criticise the Government ! Once again the Government subsidy mentality come through. They talk as if we owe the Government a living !

Get this straight once and for all – the Government serves the people and NOT the other way around. The Government is answerable to the people and not the other way around. Damn right you’re gonna answer to us !

And yes – we have the right to ask for subsidies given how much we spend on the Government via direct and indirect taxation like GST, ERP etc etc.

I have no qualms asking for subsidies given that our Government is prepared to lose billions in bad invesdtments. Better for them to spend that money on us ! Why not ? If you are prepared to lose several billions in bad investments – then you should first be prepared to spend a few on subsidies.