YA Singapore will be poorer in the future for sure. We will be handicapped by such governance. Though we may be progessing well economically, we are left very far beind in terms of human rights and political space.

We have all got a foretaste of the adverse dominance of one-party politics and Singapore by now is no fool. Even aunties and uncles now may think twice about the lighting strike as they have all being strike by the high cost of lightning.

Something is very wrong in my country and I am very worried and disenchanted.

He had been saying this for some time now. The last time he gave an analogy of countries sending their soccer teams to play in the world cup. He said Singapore, like the other countries has room for only one National team. He questioned where the logic is for a country to send out two teams.

Imagine this sort of stupid mind games that went unchallenged? The shitty times did not even venture to question him further.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear him say that Singapore has room for one party only. But he can say all he wants. The future history of Singapore has yet to be wriiten and the ones who would be writing them are you and me.

I just read today ST online and got a shock on the heading spoken by PM Lee: “Singapore will be better off with a one-party dominating party,” (words to that effect).

What has happened to him? It puzzled me as being so highly educated and intellectual he could have utter such a remark? It just shows absolute power is devastating to the country.

My heart ached when I see how the ruling party bulldozed through so many unpopular medicine down our throats. There is no way for compromise – it’s my way or make way!

It only goes to show that the showdown will be at the polls. Singapore should be more ready than GE 2006 to show what they want for their own country.

The day has arrived for our country to be brave and show what they are make of. Even if we have no upgrading or higher valuation on our flats let us sacrifice so that others may have a better life!

That’s why TOC should not have a forum, but retain the current format of a commentary thread. A website forum will have a life on its own, which may be detrimental to TOC’s cause or reputation. I guess improvements are required perhaps in breaking down the commentary thread into 30 posts per page.

Glibert:
I won’t really argee that TOC has degenerated into an anti-establishment rathole; TOC per se is, I find, one of the more neutral and objective political discourse web site in Singapore. Many other sites I have seen are often slanted very heavily towards either side of the debate; some of these are the real ratholes of mudslinging, in my honest-to-goodness opinion. Of course, I won’t be naming any sites, but I do hope most of you know which particular sites I’m thinking here. I rather think that much of the mudslinging here is carried out not by the writers of the articles here, but by the visitors instead, which is something that generally happens with local political discourse elsewhere on the internet, no matter where the web site stands.

Loyola:
As long as the establishment wishes to continue their vice-like grip on power, it’s probably not possible for them to give us more room; consequently, the law of equal and opposite reaction comes into play, with the opposition also holding onto their extreme views. It eventually degenerates into a catch-22: nothing happens unless one side gives way first, but given the amount of distrust both sides have with each other, neither side wants to be the first to give way to each other for fear of being taken advantage of by the other side.

Then I read Mr Anthony Yeo’s on the same subject, I think.

The difference is so astounding that
I pen my thoughts at http://www.feedmetothefish.blogspot.com

To each, his/her own.

Peace.

feedmetothefish

Suggesting copying practices from other countries without proper justification is strange. Its like suggesting allowing legislators to throw punches at each other like the Taiwan legislature.

>>>> No, that was not the case. That was saying what is happening in TW. Not saying good or bad. Don’t jump to conclusion.

Yes, TW legislators fight. That is why that is what we should not have. The danger I see in you is your jumping to conclusion and making sweeping statements. Democracy is a concept. How democracy is practised depends on the people. Evil or bad people will abuse it. Does this give you the sweeping excuse to deny more Freedom? You might as well say no gun should exist in this world since some people accidentally kill others? You need to understand that this world is not perfect and nothing can be perfect. We need to make things more towards perfect. The fact that things can never be perfect does not give you the reason to deny efforts towards perfection. Your thinking is dangerous and shows me you are biased and fear Freedom and power to the people , for some reason.
—————————————

Are views in this blog created by 1 person?
There are many different viewers here who comment on the articles.
The FACT that many individuals comment with their own views that either criticise or are unhappy views shows the REALITY. You have to learn to accept reality. Else maybe you are living in Denial? Respect the majority’s views / stand / opinion. We have chosen to live in a Democracy, so lets maturise it!
We do not live in a Dictatorship. this I am sure you agree. I agree.

without PAP, Singapore is doomed………..
ya ya, so smart said only,
with today’s PAP, Singapore is doomer and doomer and . . . . . bo liao, finished, game over, ka poot, wan le, see liao, pok liao, siao liao . . . .

PAP is the best choice out of no choices. You all just don’t get it: without PAP, Singapore is doomed………..
——————————————————————–

How is the PAP funded?
Did PAP have much experience when they were founded?
How many years have they accumulated already? With so much experience, do you not expect much?

Yes , there is a lack of choices and maybe that is why….

When something has NEVER happened before, how can you jump to conclusion? Very dangerous mind you have.

Bravo! And so it should be.

Hi thanks for your comments.

I am not angry just airing my thoughts here haha.

Don’t worry, I am not that petty. Just maybe hope there will be more mutual respect of each other’s views however divergent.

I understand all of us have different views but mostly anti-establishment.

So if someone gave credit to the ruling party we should let it be instead of battering that comment. That person will think twice of coming in here again.

We should welcome both pro and anti establishment comments or else this site will be very one sided and that is not very healthy right?

BTW the person is not me – I am merely making a statement here after reading this site for the past one month or so. I have enjoyed it rhoroughly.

You have given a very good take on the political situation in Singapore at
the moment. It would have been perfect if you had included the people in
your opinion.

Where do the people stand amid all this mud-slinging and most ungentlemanly
behaviour. For you see, even as the political showdown is played out before
our eyes, we, the people, have to live our lives while the episodes are being
shown in the big screen.

I do not know if you included me in your assessment that I might be one who
wish ill on LKY, I would like to state clearly that this is furthest from the truth.
I respect the man for what he has done for Singapore.

Unfortunately, I do not know if it is a blessing or a curse for him to continue
to be in politics. This sentiment is largely due to the presence of his son,
more so his being the PM of Singapore. Has this resulted in LKY being more
skewed in his thinking? Probably trying too hard to protect his own legacy
and ensuring that his son could also live up to it? This may just be speculation
on my part. The point is, amid all these, Singaporeans could well be the
victims of such impressions.

About LKY and how long more he may live, this is something we, the citizens
must consider. We and our children will live beyond him and if there is a
possibility of the PAP running in trouble thereafter, then we too must consider
in all honesty what we ought to do now. Can we ignore this and just hope for
the best?

So, you see, taking into consideration where Singapore would be heading
after the death of LKY is not the same as cursing the man. It is a serious
and a very valid consideration.

What will happen to Singapore and Singaporeans then? Don’t we want to
start planning for such eventuality? What should our plan be?

This is no laughing matter and we MUST not side step the issue.

All said, I appreciate your sharing very much. Good take. Thanks.

It so happens that for many issues, the public commented the way they did based on what they honestly feels.

Gilbert, don’t be angry.

“I agreed with what you said. I noticed that TOC has somewhat degenerated into a PAP slinging site. Netizens need to be aware that for the site to be neutral and above-board, it has to welcome pro-establishment comments and such bloggers not be subjected to name-calling and silly mud-slinging.
If netizens can debate logically by raising their views without criticising each other’s opinion and character, then this site will be a solid one.”

There is no need to sweat the small stuff. Everything is cool. Try to see TOC as just a public square. Nothing more or less. Today, this the happening place. Tomorrow it’s anyone’s guess. I really don’t see the need to impose structure, symmetry or even a way of thinking here that is acceptable.

For me, it just doesn’t make ANY sense to fashion TOC into ANOTHER real world facsimile of Singapore. We already have that already. Why do we want to build another real world version of Singapore online? Besides if people really want to buy into more of the same stuff, they can just as well vote with their key boards to go to stomp, razor tv, channel 5 and of course our beloved rag.

As I said, it’s a public square and people should be allowed to stand up and even shout out whatever they feel happy or unhappy about, providing of course they don’t breach any laws and understand that we live in a world of implications and consequences. If they feel like telling people, if they don’t slouch, they stand 2 inches taller. Or falling in love is like succumbing to a haunting refrain. Then I say, carry on.

Only remember one thing; be it PAP, WP, SPD or even some lunatic fringe organization like the Mickey mouse club, just DON’T expect EVERYONE to agree with you – one thing about the internet is while everyone is free to say anything, you cannot stop people from thinking and deciding accordingly.

As I said, don’t sweat the small stuff – just go with the flow – this is not something that we should necessarily fear; but rather understood.

Breathe….relax….let it come naturally.

SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)

I believe in the long run (30-50 years), we will end up having a two-party system, or at most 3 dominant parties with two forming a governing coalition.

What you are seeing is the result of a skewed politico-media landscape for the last 40 years.

The population has been socialised into two polarised camps, with very little room for the centrist in either the new media or MSM. It is not a phenomenon that has been created for shiok factor, in fact, it is a creation of circumstance.

If we wish to see greater centrist politics in all media forms, there must be a move away from the zero-sum game played by the establishment towards a more inclusive form of debate amongst all players.

Until then, we will see skewed rightist articles in the MSM, and equally strident Other voices who think that their only path to victory is not through democratic debate or advocacy, but rather the passing on of a political rival.

I hesitate to have constant political propaganda being thrown at me from both sides of the aisle. Esp on TV, I’d hate to have political messages interrupting my favourite TV shows (adverts are already bad enough).

If political discussions were profitable, there would be such channels on US TV as well as other countries. The reason why there aren’t should illuminate its popularity.

There has been skewed emphasis on freedom of speech as opposed to freedom of silence. Last I heard, democracy also extends to our rights to peace and civility.

Ya I guess all this tight control on the media and unfair election tactics will backfire on the ruling party one day. What you plant you will also reap back sometimes many fold. They are using 1960s’ election strategies on a population that has already move ahead of such fear and survival tactics.

Remember how LKY always, during election period, talked about his younger years of fighting communism and trying to spread fear that the same thing will happen in modern SIngapore? The fear of people dying in a demonstration was constantly used on a politically apathetic population that may be too dependent on the govt too much. Such dea tactic always worked in countries that are small and vulnerable. We are always told that we are surrounded by hostile nations.

Without PAP we will not make it.

We have gone beyond survival now and thriving very well. The country is crying out for respect, maturity and equality. We are being constantly treated like small kids bowing down to an emperor. Enough is enough!

Allowing both sided views gives credibility. Let the truth emerge.

TW : the problem is not so much about Freedom of Speech or Democracy but Evil people and Manipulation of uneducated minds. Any good system can be abused by Evil and Greedy people.

Support for the ruling party does not mean blind support for all their policies. This is what constructive criticism is all about.