From the blog, Josee 100:
Let me list down the stuff that the PAP & Singapore Government has done since the last election to piss off the general population:
Invest billions of dollars into Merrill Lynch, Citibank and UBS at the wrong time and price (even Warren Buffet – The Oracle of Omaha – didn’t dare to invest in banks back then. And Warren Buffet is a ‘long-term’ investor.)
Not being pro-active in resolving the Lehman Minibond Fiasco (and they call themselves ‘world-class’ and pay themselves the highest. But don’t you notice that they seem to copy everything that HK is doing?)
Proposing to house foreign workers in a middle-class neighbourhood (Which other country does it?)
Approving electricity hikes at the time of recession (Again, which other country does it at the onset of a recession?)
Increasing GST from 5% to 7% (and making a huge budget surplus in 2007 and at the onset of a recession. If they pay themselves top dollars and call themselves ‘world-class’, surely they would have foreseen the crisis approaching. Some economists have already pointed out the trend around that time.)
Opening the floodgates to an excessive number of questionable ‘foreign talent’ into the country (depressing our real wages & driving up housing prices)
Allowing the car population to explode and then installing more ERP gantries to tax usage
Keeping ineffective leaders like Chan Soo Sen around – Remember how he screwed up Joo Chiat and now he attended a diploma-mill’s graduation ceremony? (And they call him ‘world-class’ and pay him top dollars)
Giving scholarships freely to ‘foreign students’ while expecting ‘local talent’ to take up bank loans (get themselves into debt) or use their parents CPF money to pay for their own studies.
Under-investing in public transport – Sardine-packed trains. Fewer bus routes.
Hyping up F1 Race while the general public sees little positive spin-offs. Instead workers in CBD need to put up with road closures and traffic jams.
Sheding responsibility during the Mas Selamat case. Isn’t it weird that Ministers in other countries will step down to take responsibility if a serious error is committed but not ours? And we call ourselves world-class? I hope this is not an ‘honest’ mistake.
In my opinion, the PAP is getting increasingly out-of-touch with society. The list of items above pisses off almost the entire strata of the society – the elderly (Minibond victims and traditional PAP supporters), the young working class (competition from questionable ‘foreign talent’), the upper middle-income (Serangoon residents) and lower income (electricity and GST hikes)
Only the rich will support the PAP. With the financial crisis looming, I wonder how many of the rich will remain to ‘save’ the party.
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what happen to the case of the NSman who got ragged by his firemen colleagues. disgusting that such a thing can happen. can the minister in charge please give us an update and his assurance that such thing will never happen again. now i feel unsafe about putting my son into NS!
Referring to 42):
There are many way to help actually. Some means do not actually require permit. Do not want to elaborate here because there are too many 007 here if you know what I meant.
Somehow, early or no early election. Opposition need to be prepared and not caught pant down the last minutes. I suspect that although it might seem disadvantage to PAP to have a early election but I see more worst if they wait for another 2 years. By then, younger generation will very much nominate the working population. Thus this group of people will not listen to PAP shit.
Not that they support opposition but rather PAP is no longer able to satisfy their materials need with a simple one time hand out. This is the reality of Singapore, sad to say.
Yes, I agree with Donaldson. The decisions made by the PAP thus far had produced good and benefits to the country. However, we’re still unsure about future decision-making. That is why mechanisms are in place to ensure that any decision taken in the future is not in the best interests of the party, but the people of this country.
The decisions made by the PAP thus far had produced good and benefits to the country. – physician (#53)
This is a sweeping statement. It is mathematically improbable that all decisions that PAP made had produced any benefits to Singapore.
#54
……. unless one have eyes that look like the letter S with two downward strokes, and have them in the pockets.
41) Ante Molly:
Sure why not? You can start first.
wow, anonymous,mind me asking how much did PAP pay you to defend their every screw-up as good?
let me debunk your “arguments” one by one again, just like you have debunked josse100 to show you above how “perspective” you are too.
I think most singaporeans living in other 1st world countries do not really understand nor appreciate their kind of democracies.
I think PM once said that australian politicians wasted their time in arguing with each other. He thinks it is much better to have one mini-god to make all the right decisions. It may be more efficient but not better.
Democracy is very much a process. How you get to the decisions rather than who made them.
Not point comparing with other countries when ideologies differ. Whether Singapore is on the right track depends on how singaporeans actually feel. Governance is about people. If more people are feeling unhappy, you can’t be on the right track.
Actually, I feel the biggest screw up is we singaporeans relying on a one-sided government to be able to make the right decisions. That we believe that a monopolistic government will provide the check and balance to be effective.
Notice from the postings that singaporeans (many of them) will reamain screwed for some time to come.
“there will be early election” ?
That means there is going to be GST hike again. Can Singapore Betting Society allows betting of GST hike ?
Choices include (with Probability):
- No Increase (0% Wait Long Long)
- 8% (10%) (1% ? When in history it happens before)
- 9% (30%) though traditionally go by 2% increase
- 10% (60% consider the heavy loss of taxmoney, and it takes 30years to recoup)
Judging from the ridiculous loss of taxmoney, I bet it is going to be the GST increase to 10% because the government once remind us to eat bitter medicine now than to eat it later. Well that means “If you going to eat shit, may as well give you the worst shit.” Indeed 2008 may the year of “Shit” I ever experience. Let pray that the gov doesn’t deliver another major ‘Shit’ to citizen for Christmas present. Anyway gov can’t control the shit they create because the AngMoh always report the Shit mess. Only those who read and trust the MSM doesn’t know the shit they getting into. No free lunch, so the price of shit must come from somewhere else. Even a moron can guess who will be paying for the shit.
Sad but true. I have a feeling something big is coming our way next month. Let hope I’m wrong.
“The decisions made by the PAP thus far had produced good and benefits to the country. – physician (#53)”
Since when Lucky Tan kept a disciple ?
But try scratching the surface a little and you will see than when it is (mis)used as a reason for introducing all sorts of bitter pills that it really defies all the logic that were used in the first place.
This also begs the question: For the country or for the people?
The reasoning is manipulated by the PAP govt to indiscreetly introduce all sorts of policies than goes against the interests of the people – some of which are so hotly debated on this platform.
- gemani (#32)
Exactly, it becomes an evil when employed as an excuse, but that should not undermine the real bitter pills actually which are good for the country.
Oh, and I refer to the country because it is more than the people in the sense that it includes future generations. But mostly, the country is about its people, now and future.
No one says it is bad except that it is misused to generate profit ,and to even put into residential area which has no traffic congestion ?
So please don’t distract the issue, the main issue people concerning now is the the use of ERP as business profit to who know where.
- Daniel (#33)
So I suppose if ERP still exist (and increase in number), but the profits are put to, say, subsidise public transport, this will no longer piss people off?
I think this item is on the list because drivers are irritated by having to pay even after owning a car (reminds me of the Hitler video). I’m not certain if changing how it’s used will affect their opinions.
My apologies for awful formatting in my above reply.
“I don’t think there will be GE soon. PAP is not stupid to call GE during this bad recession time. They are hoping that come 2011 the economy will improve and the ground would be sweeter for the GE.”
The problem is can MM Lee wait that long ? He isn’t young anymore, isn’t he ? How many old guards still remain ? It make sense for the ruling party to call early election while MM is still around. This is viable strategy to leverage on the old man. Which is worse ? Election with or without the old man ? Since when the event of election isn’t influenced by the old man ? The old man is prominent in every election and do influence the voter whether you like it or not. I think MM still command respect for people, especially those who still believe that MSM is the gospel of truth. There are still majority who believe in MM but not his son.
“So I suppose if ERP still exist (and increase in number), but the profits are put to, say, subsidise public transport, this will no longer piss people off?”
At least it will go some way reducing the angst, won’t it ? But then why screw those who buy and use cars too ? The ERP is becoming too extreme now, oh wait, the worst is yet to come, in the future, no more ERP gantries, only ERP Satellite which they are trialing next year. No more beep anymore, silent increase according to your mileage ! subsidise also no use. Give you ten cents, take back $1. Can the business of ERP be privatised ? I want to invest in it, should earn money.
I don’t know what will happen to the next few generations. If you have children, maybe you should consider migrating.
Much are said than done! I wonder how these people have time just to bicker about the govt and the PAP! They ought to conduct themselves in more responsible and as patriotic citizens than just bicker for almost anything the govt. does. I wonder how many here are proxies or stooges?
As much as you criticised the govt, of handling of almost everything, follow that up with your concrete alternatives for those problems raised. It is always easier to be in the opposite fence and just said NO! to everything….
As much as I waste time reading your views, it would be alot fruitful if you could be sensible and intelligent enough to come out with counter measures!! Don’t waste your time bickering about the govt…see what you can do for the govt….or at least make some sensible suggestions!
i came here after typing at google “screw the” “Singapore” “Government” .
seriously speaking i have a big screw up about them also,
Singapore is a peanut, yet we have prime minister, senior minister mentor , don know here and there. But what i know USA SO big also dont have SO MANY crappy positions.
Their crazy high pay is our TAX. Few times more than US President.
Singapore very big ar? got so jialat to manage? Do they really deserve the ridiculous pay?!
RISE UP SINGAPOREANS!
I feel so ashamed when i see aunties on the news ” I LOVE U” to the ministers during the election! i wondered if their paid to do it? or just pure dumb
23) Anonymous
What a “great” defense you have set up for them, but sad to say, the foundation is too weak and it will collapse easily.
However, i don’t have the time to rebuke everything so i will just challenge one point “Look at Chen Shui Bian. If you don’t pay your top official high pay, they will be tempted.”
Isn’t that ironic, so you are saying that their high pay reduce their temptation for
corruption? then you imply that if they are given lower pay, they may be corrupted? then isn’t a it sign of them been corruptible in this case? if a person wants to serve the country to his utmost, he won’t request a high pay to reduce chance of corruption.
So in the end, your defense have a big loophole, they are not here to serve the people, but here to earn the money and they need high pay to reduce their temptation for corruption?
so to 23) Anonymous, please rack your brain to think up of a more solid defense before posting. as for the other defense, there are so many loopholes but i don’t feel like rebuking so many stuff at one go.
Hi physician,
Woa! What a sweeping statement? I am in awe of your perception, so can you bring up and inform us which decision that the PAP have made that produced good and benefits to the country? Maybe it does some good for the country, however i don’t think it does much good for the people dude.
So their decision, or lack of, that helps SGP become the first asian country to enter recession produces goods and benefits for us too? Fantastic, now i have an optimistic view about this.
“is not in the best interests of the party, but the people of this country.” Now now, is that true? Look into your heart and answer me? is it really for the people? what about the poor that Dr Lily Neo tries to help? and in the end, she was retort by our dear minister…so it is for the good of the people huh? woa…
and lastly, to 66) V S RAAJ
Congrats! you have the attitude that is similar to Panther and the likes…and i think you may be another one of them?
“As much as I waste time reading your views, it would be alot fruitful if you could be sensible and intelligent enough to come out with counter measures!! ”
I wish you will be sensible and intelligent enough to be more tactful. A person who pop out and question other people on their intelligent most probably suffer from a lack of it too. Since you post in such a way, perhaps you can tell us what are the alternatives that you can think of instead of insulting my fellow TOC friends here. Or do you just pop by to criticize like some other people that we have seen?
“Don’t waste your time bickering about the govt…see what you can do for the govt….or at least make some sensible suggestions!”
Since you say that you are wasting time reading the comment, didn’t you happen to read up on the constructive comment that people like Gilbert, Gemami, Mr Tan etc has provided? I bet you must have omit the good stuff and hear only the bad.
and regading your question on proxies or stooges? Maybe you are one of them?
You ungrateful people. If not for PAP would you have gotten your education. Look at Indonesia huh. we got hdb, got job, got F1. housing prices are down now, but will go up again.
some singaporeans are just lazy and don’t deserve help. if u don’t have enough money its because you did not save. if u don’t enough, it’s cos you’re stupid. what you want?!
personally my stand on ministers salary scale is simple. You pay peanuts you get monkeys, you pay too much you get wolf.
Teo Kian Boon (#71),
I don’t deny that the previous generations of PAP government did their job well. But ever since LKY stepped down as Prime Minister, it is pretty obvious what direction Singapore is heading. Why are you blinded by PAP’s past achievement when what is important now is Singapore’s direction?
Blind leading the blind? That’s PAP for you. The not-so-blind and abled Singaporeans are already emigrating while the not-so-blind and incompetent Singaporeans are stuck in Singapore lamenting about PAP policies while still voting PAP at the election booth.
LOL Teo Kian Boon, you sound as if our PAP work for free. If I were to be grateful, I would be grateful to people like Tan Tock Seng who choose to help people when he get rich. This is the kind of people that make Singapore proud.
Please lah, you obviously are one of those that had been living in the mountain too long. There is a common saying, to earn 1000 is easy but to save 1000, hum… Let see, 250 electrical bills, 160 for 3 tins of baby milk, 45 for mobile phone bill, 10 for resident phone bills, 120 for transportation fees, 300 for parent allowance, 250 for wife allowance, 14 x 2 = 28 for 2 packets of disposable diapers consists of 54 pieces each. Injection for baby every three months 120 polyclinic mind you (cheapest) and the list goes on and on.
So please mr. Teo, for average family household income is around 1800 (after CPF) with wife not working if not still need to pay for people to take care. Which also exclude sick, little dinning out occasionally, house maintenance and TC payment etc. Worst still when come to festive season like the Chinese new year. You sound as if there is a lot of jobs that come with a descent pay to be grabbed.
Then why government now talking about minimum wage huh?!?? Teo I hope to can wake up and open your bats eyes. Don’t use imagination.
Teo Kian boon. Your words are loud, but your understanding of what is going on around you are laughable. If Singaporean so rich, why bother to Q up every wed, sat and sun in hope to extend their credits from little part of their 1800 at the Singapore pool booth?
I think you are right, these people should be grateful to PAP to make it so convinence for them to place their bets by having so many betting stations all over Singapore island. So they have more chances of winning and get more money to save. LOL
Mr 71) Teo Kian Boon
“You ungrateful people. If not for PAP would you have gotten your education.” Nope, I am not thankful for them. They did encourage education, but the one that send me through and gets me a good education is parents, so i am grateful to them, not to MIW.
Please, “Look at Indonesia huh.” use a little of your cerebral power. if you want to compare, use another economic “tiger” and don’t just compare with our neighbour.
Your last statement really reflects on your I-level. some people, even if they are smart may not make ends meet, partly due to the typical wage rate in singapore that doesn’t increase in-line with inflation and other issue.
So Ah Teo, wake up, crawl up from the well and see the world for what it is, instead of making comments that seems so hollow.
I laugh at this article. Temasek made US$1.2B from ML (when BOA bought over) Furthermore, no bank has been pardoned by this crisis. UBS is a sound investment. It’s wealth management is uncomparable. A chance to buy at a low price, who would not want? Citibank. Too big for the US gov to let it fall. In terms of assets, Citibank is still the biggest in the world. That bank has the guarantee from the US gov. Can you find a guarantor better than that?
My sister works in HK and she said the HK gov is doing nothing in the midst of this crisis. So may I ask, in what way is the Singapore government copying HK?
Furthermore the Gov did try to control the ‘exploding’ car population. They slapped huge amounts of tax but we still love our cars. What to do?
“Surely they would have foreseen the crisis approaching.” They didn’t and nobody did. Even the US gov was in denial. Until today nobody knows how big or messy the subprime is. Let it go.
Hyping up F1 race. You know how envious the other Asian countries were of our race? You know how glad the Western countries were? It was front-page on so many newspapers around the world.
Under-investing in public transport. Quite the opposite. I recently came back from England and have seen a massive increase in quality of our trains and buses. Packed trains and buses at peak hours is common in every single country. Live with it. And it is just a 20 mins ride on the train at most. Is it that hard?
Giving out scholarships freely foreign students. What to do? Not enough intelligent Singaporeans so why not offer to people who are more than willing to serve Singapore?
#gyc
Just because the London (or Tokyo or New York ) transport system is very crowded, then it is all right for ours to be also very crowded?
Why can’t we strive for even better standard? Must we be satsified to be forever a poor copycat ?
The ever increasing university fees are a very big burden to Singaporean. Many parents need to work like mad or use up their entire saving to finance their children .Many students have to start paying bank loan immediately upon graduation. Just some times ago, it was reported that there are female undergraduates moonlighting as social escorts to support their education.
On the other hand, about one quarter of the total places in Singapore universities are reserved for foreign students, many of them on free scholarships. Besides free university fees, they also have generous allowances. Upon graduation, they don’t need to pay back a single cent and just have to work in Singapore for 2 years. This is called “serving Singapore”
Government and citizens relationship is akin to parents and children. If the parents preferred to only take care of outsiders & left his own children to swim or sink on their own, what will be the consequences?
I’m impressed, I must say.