We are not angry at HIM for making the comment, we are angry at a person of his status making such ludricrous comment.

I believe in your ~point of view~ “Respect other people’s views” BUT I also believe in NOT imposing your own view on others.

Willie Martin said “You have no right to impose your moral values on me!” – http://www.israelect.com/reference/WillieMartin/The%20Unfree%20%5BA%5D.htm

Anonymous: “He who tries to be moral is a true hypocrite, I am a sinner hence I will not stone you today”

As such, I hope everyone views are respected :)

Hurray PAP

I agree with you that we should not make personal attacks just because we dislike the suggestions that the minister made.

The crux of the matter as mentioned by some people earlier is that people in general are very disillusioned with the present lot of government ministers. They have lost respect for them and see them as arrogant and uncaring.

Ministers are often perceived to “talk down” to us. It’s often an “I know better than you” type of message that they try to put across. That probably upsets a lot of people and hence they get personal in their comments.

As for the personal attacks that I have read people write about you, I think you have been unfairly treated but salute you for continuing to stand up for what you believe in.

Secondly, there are a quite a number of postings to say that the government has not been responsive to the people and the sediments on the ground. I don’t find myself very old, but as far as I can tell, this is the most responsive government we ever had. It is much better than the government of yesteryears under MM Lee. No disrespect intended, just that time, situation and people have changed.

Everyone expects changes, but one needs to realize that changes take time and effort. America and the European countries reached where they are now after centuries of struggles and sacrifices of the people for their nation. Our time has not come yet, for we have yet to have opposition leaders with strong values and the necessary charisma. Neither do our people have the strong belief that changes need to be made nor the courage to make the sacrifices. If you do not have a chance to vote because your GRC is walked over, don’t just lament about it. Show your support by donating to the political party of your choice or volunteering in their grassroot work. The Obama campaign is built on millions of small donations that make up a huge war chest for him to win the election.

Lastly, everyone has the right to criticize. But criticism without constructive suggestions to improve or remedy the situation is usually not helpful. We should strive to use this platform to brainstorm ideas so that things can be improved, instead of merely complaining about things and then going away, feeling a false sense of achievement that you have done something about it.

The government is not responsive and has not been for a long time.

Their policies are not working.

Worse, we are at the receiving end of their single minded beliefs. They seemed to confuse form over substance.

As citizens, we have been obedient and look where it has led us to. Ministers telling us that we don’t have enough for retirement but they are reducing the interest rates on our CPF savings. This is one example.

The public cannot be blamed in this relationship when it sours.

The policies makers need to reflect on their own doings.

1. Just like you I select my choice of words when blogging. I will stay civil and absolutely avoid the use of vulgarities. This does not mean that I will not be forceful and firm, depending on the feelings I have for an issue, but again never abusive. But that’s you and me.
While not at all condoning abusive language, I do accept the reality that there are many men-in-the street and in the kopitiams who have strong views, frustrations and even anger about their living environment and government policies. That’s the way they know how to express themselves verbally and in writing, perhaps because also of a lower language proficiency. Their words may not be refined but they are being true to their feelings. Their writing skills can improve with training but most will not be signing for courses anytime soon. So people and the govt, like it or not, ought to listen between the lines rather than focus just on the language. Once again I’m not defending them but rather I understand human behaviour and it takes all kinds o people to make the world. And they each have one vote. These same people will also most likely be putting their mouths where their voting papers are. We cannot, like the ostrich with its head in the sands, pretend all’s well and sanitized. But I believe your comment is well intentioned.

2. You lamented that “there is a strong perception that any suggestion by a minister will be implemented as government policy”. That is not without reason. It’s like “no smoke without fire” and people have seen so many water-testing by ministers before policy implementations – examples: increase of GST to 7%, IRs, evening ERP, means testing for healthcare subsidies, organ trading, Serangoon Gardens foreign workers dormitory…. The list goes on. I am also not saying that all these are not good policies but that these have been seen to be pushed through despite strong opposing public views.

3. You said “there seems to be a strong dislike and distrust of the government. This is unhealthy.” I agree but your observation is not exactly fiction or myth, or without cause Yes, such feeling is unhealthy but then only the govt. can really fix it. The bloggers just react.
If people are unhappy, and they express that strongly and firmly, there is nothing wrong about doing that. Why is it not civil to disagree or not accept views and actions of ministers and politicians which they don’t like? They are put there by the people for the peopl.e The process here is not like a school debate – it is politics. The issues are real life ones and the people have the right to want solutions and favourable results. . You had played an instrumental role in mini-bonds petitions and had also expressed angst and frustrations forcefully in your speeches and blogs with the unresponsiveness and lack of support and empathy of the govt to the woes of investors. How about a fuller account of the losses of our 2 SWFs and the use of the President’s 2nd key?

You have publicly expressed your intentions to enter politics or some sort as an Alternative-Party person to the PAP. When you do, you too will be at the receiving end as an opposition person. PAP’s leaders have publicly declared that they will “fix” the opposition and not make life easy for them. They have matched words with actions. We saw the large number of PAP MPs trying to rough up Low TK recently in the Budget debate in Parliament on his remarks on the Job Credit scheme. Many bloggers have shown by their postings that they are “mature and responsible people”. That didn’t make the govt more responsive and listen up. It takes 2 to tango, but right now it seems the big partner is not doing much dancing.

Therefore, will your strategy on how you will relate to the ruling party work for you? Will they ever reciprocate and change to the people’s and your liking in your lifetime in politics? I’m sure your supporters and your voters-to-be will be interested to know.

It is a sign of toughness if and only if there are real, significant political price to pay for unpopular decisions. So far the government has been able circumvented such consequences because they are willing and able to bend and break rules to run elections with an obvious bias in their favor.

Peace, prosperity and progress in good times are credited to our leaders’ ability and greatness; but in these difficult period losses are blamed on global climate and presented as inevitable. Are our leaders shirking their responsibilities?

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I think that cheaper nursing homes overseas should be an option explored by the private sector instead of being spear-headed by our Health Minister. I think that as a minister Khaw should be aware that he represents the government, and that his words will be, rightly or wrongly, perceived as government policy inclinations.

Unless I am mistaken, Khaw himself had said strong words publicly condemning the lack of filial piety. For the same man to broach on the topic of not only sending one’s parents to a home for elderly, but a home that is in another country, is very inappropriate and borders on hypocrisy. Is it then surprising that Singaporeans take him to task?