Great analytical observations made but it could have
gone a little deeper instead of merely scratching the surface of
the issue that caused the present situation not only to the 14 year
old, but also to countless Singaporeans.
Look at it this way. When an economy grows, which
Singapore has until the financial crisis, there's bound to be
inflation. Basically, the money supply has to keep up with
the growth, and in this case, the increase in population.
Thus prices will go up as well. Inflation bound to
happen, and I think its just a matter of the how fast.
It seems to me, that Singapore grew a little too fast and we are
literally paying the price for it now.
"a little too
fast" - is an understatement when one consider that it
was a deliberate head-on rush since independence in 1965 despite
all costs to the various social and economic programs that were
forced onto Singaporeans.
Singapore's economic growth was based on "inflating" the
"economic balloon" by attracting the many large MNCs and continue
to be so - and all done at the expense of any second tier
local manufacturing enterprise that should have been the
economic foundaton for the bulk of local employment.
There was simply an over dependence on MNCs that were only
attracted to low costs, and the status quo was artificially
sustained to keep jobs available to Singaporeans despite the fact
that we are small in numbers - and require imported human resource
to meet the demands of the MNCs.
This was reported by three Economic Review Committees for
changes to be made following the crash of 1987, 1997 and
2004-2005.
Was economic growth sustainable up until the financial crisis
?
Which financial crisis were you referring to ?
There was the stock market crash on Black Monday
in 1987 that began in New York despite the
glowing economic activities; then that was the
financial meltdown in 1997 that began in Thailand;
and the global banking crisi in 2008 that began in
the USA.
In all these crashes, Singapore's economy was torn to shred as
the entire economy was build on the basis of depending on the
good fortunes experieinced by others.
Inspite the separate reviews by three Economic Review
Committees - we continue the same path that do not encourage nor
sustain the growth of private enterprise - by releasing the
entrepreneurial energy that is held captive by the PAP
Government sitting on a large sum of Singaporean's monies in the
CPF.
Was the "money supply keeping
up with economic growth" the cause for our
present inflationary problem ?
Was the "money supply" not supposed to be "well
managed" by the super talent that was holding
the portfolio of the Finance Minister - up until it
was relinquished to Comrade Tharman who took over after
Election 2006 ?
Surely, you will get a vehement denial from this PAP
Government.
It has been the PAP's idea since 1965 that infation
was supposed to have been managed through the strength of the
Singapore Dollar, which is supposed to help us purchase all that we
need at lower prices from the region and beyond.
Primary Industries in agriculture and livestock farming were all
divested to the various neighboring countries that were supposed to
have an economic advantage over us for such activities, while we
concentrate our resources to industrialising Singapore.
It was a continuous balancing acts of importing and exporting
goods and services with our neighbors - both near and far.
Was it well managed to the extent of making ourselves strong and
resilient ?
It seems that one component in the Total Defense concept
has not been fixed and left us continuously vulnerable and
exposed.
More importantly, there is also a question of the income gap. Is
the income gap growing in between the upper and middle classes? If
the gap continues to grow like this, then more sad stories like
this will appear. The question is now about the distribution
of wealth. Is there social justice in the current
distribution?
Can "social justice" exist in Singapore - when this PAP
Government do not recognise anything that hints of "social justice"
?
To do so will require the PAP leadership
to recognise basic "Human Rights" - can this happen in
Singapore, even as we are a signatory to the United Nations charter
?
As for the 14 year old kid... wait til u're 21 before u decide
to quit. Else ppl will think u're just another NS dodger.
Besides, migrating to another country is gonna cost a lot of
money as well, money that neither u nor ur family do not
have.
Life begins with a spark - and it is great for a 14 year
old to have found that spark.
With the dream set as the goal - it can drive a determined 14
year old to overcome all odds to pursue the realisation of the
Dream.
If one has given up on Singapore at the age of 14 - is there any
need to be concerned about being another NS dodger ?
Some countries prefer the younger ones then accept any older
ones that can be a burden to their social systems.
For those who are determined to stay and recover what
rightfully belong to us, we should remain alert and concious to
all the political shenanigans poured on us, as the
PAP ropes tighten to give themselves a better grip on the
situation that they are fast losing control.
