This is problematic: the government thinks people are stupid, and the people think the government is corrupted.

Erm, maybe because it is possible that they have not bothered to do any of the studies you’re so “sure” they had done?

First, do you think public transportation should be fully subsidised? If not, then what do you think is a fair price?

> Why is there even a need to have GST for necessities? e.g rice, salt, sugar & cooking oil.

I think it’s a matter of choice for tax and social welfare implementation. The first way is to impose GST on everything then distribute necessities vouchers for the needy. The second way is to abolish both GST and subsidies on daily necessities. The latter has the disadvantage that lifting GST on a vaguely defined basket of goods may be have unexpected loopholes. Patching a vague and moving loopholes is seldom effective. For e.g., are instant noodles, curry spices, coconut milk, breakfast cereals, coffee, vegetables, premium rice, fast food, etc. considered necessities?

What we probably need is better communication of the decision-making process to the public. I’m sure the government has studied the alternatives and documented it. Why not put the reports in public?

However, I feel that our public transport system has improved alot since 10 years ago, the problem is that improvements are not keeping pace with the increase in population( 1 million foreigners and counting!), and while transport companies like SMRT are raking in RECORD profits, people in buses and trains find themselves squeezing like sardines every morning on the way to work. When the government refuses to regulate a monopoly, everyone suffers!

It’s a work in progress though! I still believe that our government is GREAT! Mr Tan, just because we support PAP doesn’t mean we are government spies! I love Singapore just like you and I want Singapore to become better for me and my children, I just don’t believe that voting for opposition party will change everything for the better.

Or before sending your comment, send it to Molly Meek for proof read and to spot any potential errors and issues.
http://mollymeek.livejournal.com/

“Rest be assured that government will come back stronger in 2011…and thats for the betterment of Singapore!!!!”
Sure I believe that if it means Money=Economy Growth=Government

“I am confident the government will address the woes of the common man, they always did and they will this time.”
Me too very confident. Remember increase GST to help the poor ? Remember increase ERP gantries and charges to help business ? Just ask ChinaTown how effective and farsighted are our world-class ministers after ERP changes.

Now I get to enjoy ‘premium’ price on the same product after GST’s 40% increment. Thank to our government. Long live PAP !

Was excited with the earlier pronouncements by the Minister about a National Transport Plan. Unfortunately nothing is happening. II guess he is too young to fight with the directors of our transport companies who have entrenched politcal allies in the cabinet despite not being Ministers.

Just for records…some things I have said, which is probably supported by the other comments and postings

1. Transport companies must focus on people, not just profits and machines

2. At least SBS has done away with the inefficient double deckers(nice machines London style) after much public descry, despite defending its earlier decision. .Unfortunately did not exactly put out more services. The idea was to have smaller buses running more frequently? What happened????

3. Buses like MRTs are getting more crowded,,in fact stuffed. My 90 year old father is healthy and use to enjoy taking bus rides. These days he is frightened and is reticent to go out because of the crowd. No need to remind peole, more Singaporeans and aging.

Higher charges, less carrying capacity, higher utilization(more crowded)…managers and directors who make moneh onthis formula do not deserve any bonuses. A 6 year old playing Monopoly will know how to do this.

4. But like I say if someone has the power to make money for themselves, I am not complaining as long as they also provide improvement for the general public.

5. PTC must look into the performance formulas for directors and key managers of bus companies to get merit bonuses. How does service standards weigh in here. If every bus or public transport commuter has and additional idle waiting time of 3 minutes. What’s the social costs? or is the thinking…these are low class people…not worth much…let them wait!

6. Have the transport companies taken a survey of who rides buses. A good and increasing percentage are foreigner. I advance a suggestion sometime ago, differentiate bus cards between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans. Give non-Singaporean a break.

7. Aged who are frail and disabled. I think we have to leave them out of the public transport equation. Quick! Someone start a charity to run some buses for old people. This can be done, these aged as not in hurry. They don’t really have fixed destination. They will go where its convenient!!!

In Conclusion.

1. Like they always say, in Singapore, you must keep making money…cannot become weak frail….Go hospital? better die. With the increase transport fares and coffee shop cost…Even go out will die!
2. If you want charity, join a Tsunami victim group. Unfortunately we have such equable weather here
3. On a serious survival note
a. Does any one have a book they want to market to the USA?
b. Any interest is starting a non-profit organization to run transport services
for the frail and weak…not yet amounting to disabled? Pretty big market?.

You can flame me and send your constructive suggestions at alexhyl@gmail.com.sg .

Maybe you are right. I had a look at their management team and ….

Which large company does not have a … in their team eg. Directors ….senirle management….?

What is the implication ?

I think absolutely ZERO conflict of interesting. But you have to believe me in order to make sense.

If think you are not getting 1st world pay, living in 1st world ,
have you asked, why 1st worlds like Europe and USA and Japan can pay their people 1st world pay?

How long have you been avoiding this question ?

They don even care 2 hood about the poor, what common men are we talking about here?

I really hope, like what you said, it WILL end well, and for the common men! I tot Jurong GRC will be the beginning, but it never happen. I am waiting for 2011 to come, and I hope your prophesy will come true.

To them they are merely pawns to be sacrificed and exploited.

We can tok and discuss and go to Hong
—————

You are damn right about all these man. Since WHEN??? did they EVER consider the welfare of the citizens??? not that I know of anything ever since the last GE.

How to have an accurate recommendation when your NTUC, PTC, SMRT, SBS, etc all are run by PAP MPs, ministers and their people?

It will never be fair because it’s profit driven, not a public service.

Kaffein

as long as there is no min wage, and influx comes in willing to work for less due to currency conversion power, there is basically no limit as to what is the min wage. I suspect when economy crash again, many will want to work for almost free due to intense foreign competition even for jobs like washing the urinals and pouring faeces or wash plates and stand at mc donalds.

What more is there to say? All they are doing is just coming up with many patterns to confuse people.