Even
McCain had alternatives and he campaigned on
them.
I liked that one! Hahaha!
As far engaging the government goes, its a good thing but at the
end of the day, still something thats not substantial when compared
to parliamentary votes against an unfavorable bill. Hence,
there is a need for opposition parties, not in the sense to
"oppose" but rather to act as a check and balance to prevent a
single party from passing any bill they like.
The ordinary Singaporean can only complain even if they
encounter an unfavorable bill or decision. Only in
parliament, can there be actual action taken against something that
the people obviously don't want. For example, suppose the
ruling government decides to increase income tax to 50%. They
engage the people who complain all they like, but at the end of the
day, the bill passed is turned into law because the representation
from the ruling party is too great ( greater than 2/3). At
the end of the day, what can "engagement" give a democratic
society?
A feedback channel perhaps, but definitely nothing tantamount to
parliamentary vote. Hence to say that Singapore is becoming
an "Athean (I think u mean Athenian) democracy" would be a
fallacious arguement simply because our "citizen democratic action"
simply has no power to influence any bills concretely.
But when you consider a different and more even parliament,
where the representation is roughly even, such a ludicrous bill
would present an opportunity to the opposition parties to vote
against and throw that bill out of the window, scoring brownie
points with the electorate (us). Especially important if GEs
are round the corner.
Having said that, opposition parties cannot simply oppose a bill
for the sake of opposing it. It seems that many Asian
democracies have a tendency encounter policy making paralysis when
the opposition parties get too zealous with their (pardon the pun)
opposition. Example, a much needed healthcare update
plan, is drawn out into a long and unnecessary debate and
consistently voted against by such overzealous opposition
parties.
However, that would not be an irreparable occurance since the
next GE would result in fewer electoral votes for such pain in the
ass oppositions, thereby reducing their influence in parliament.
Opposition parties would then have shot themselves in the foot.
In my opinion, Singaporeans do not fear the ruling government.
After all, they can put them out of power by just voting for
oppositions. What Singaporeans fear I feel, would be
uncertainties. Uncertainties of a new and more complex
parliament and politics. The possible implications on their
lifestyle and financial standing. Uncertainties of whether a
new ruling government can be up to the task of managing the country
and crafting strong economic policies that we are used to, that we
benefit from. "Kiasuism" seems to be the word that pops into
my head.
At the end of the day, Opposition Parties need to strengthen
their positions by showing that they are capable people, and are
able to consider a strategic level that will benefit and secure
Singaporeans. Just criticism of current policies isn't
enough, they really need to be able to propose strong and sound
alternatives!
I really liked what the original author commented about
McCain!
