Argh!!
Dear readers, I've actually posted a new topic titled 'Singapore
is a pretty good place to live-Part II' TWICE! This was because
this thread was getting a abit messy.
But for some reason, both times, the new topics could not be
uploaded. And each post was rather lengthy as well- imagine writing
a 2000 word essay and turning off your comp w/o saving it!
I hate tech sometimes. Newayz, I'll post a similar post as a
reply here instead.
---------------------------------
There's quite a bit of response, thanks to all (well, almost
all, some replies were abit illogical) for your different
opinions!
In my prev two posts i actually replied to 'likedatoscan'
as s/he broke down my post quite in detail. Here's my reply:
>>> Who is not a
singaporean here? You only is singaporean ? Are you sure you
understand politics to be happy with the way things
are?
I understand politics mainly from what I observe in the news,
magazines (local and foreign), websites, from living and working
overseas (Aust and China) and general discussions with interested
parties. I am happy with how far Singapore has developed as a
small, resourceless nation and how the quality of lives of the
majority of Singaporeans have increased. I am happy with how our
current political system has allowed the planning and stability to
ensure that we have developed so rapidly. Is our system perfect?
No. Does is work overall- I believe so.
Mabe you can elaborate what you are not too happy with?
>>> What prove are
you basing to say that some would like that specific kind of
democracy? People are just begging for more freedom. More does
not mean all hell break lose. More like what happen to the
monies. Even if so, don't democratic citizens have
the right choose the system they want? Must all think the same and
say the same as you? Even loving couples can have different party
of choice and disagree on many things. Who are you to demand that
we become like you? You do not want to live in a democracy? Even if
you go to IRAQ, they have a democracy there also and their
alternative party is strong and alive.
I think the general majority of Singaporeans are at the
very least confident that the current political system and current
govt has served and will serve them well. This is because they have
consistently voted for a PAP dominated govt for the last four
decades. If the majority feel that the current freedoms are not
enough and that such freedoms are worth changing a govt for, the
PAP would lose their majority.
Democratic citizens can choose their system by choosing their
govt and they have chosen their preferred govts the last forty yrs.
I am a big fan of democracy cos I think it seems to be the most
viable worldly system of govt. But like any other political system,
it needs good leadership. I believe our govts have provided it by
coming up with a model of democracy that works in S'pore. Dun be so
caught in what a democracy is and where does s'pore's model lack
compared to it. Let's focus on what system works for S'pore.
Lastly- IRAQ is a terrible eg for democracy, it system and govt
is reported to be corrupted and unable to come together to decide
on basic issues like national security for its people.
>>>You have made several sweeping statements and this
is one big one. Despite TW's style and culture , it is one of
the 4 Tigers of Asia remember? That proves its economy was booming
with the kind of system TW has. It proves that different
flavors of democracy can also experience economic
boom. Thus, your statement is fundamentally flawed. TW's
size, culture, economies, markets and demographics is
different than singapore. They have farmers in the south and
middle. There are many who do not need education to survive as
farmers. Many uneducated are manipulated to even support leaders
who have committed crimes. Many could have accepted bribes.
Sg is different than TW. Most of us are educated. For their
ricebowl, they can will say anything and do anything. So, though
manipulatable potentially, SG and TW are different. Its
sweeping statement to blame it on democracy. singapore is also
based on democracy. There are commonalities in all forms of
democracies. Democracy is a concept. A system that is based on one
form of democracy may be altered and implemented in a way that not
all will not want change to it. No one is asking for fights in the
parl. No one is asking for riots. These are not democracy.
These are brawls and riots to be handled by the police, law and
order.
I'm no expert on TW, buty ou might have to refresh yourself on
the history of TW. TW was under martial law and one party rule- the
KMT, till the 1987. Its foundational policies that has served TW so
well was set and implemented before that time. In fact when
the poltical system was democratised into a two main party system,
one of the causes of its lack in economic performance was it
inability to set and implement good policies- forcing TW into a
recession (its first since 1947) in 2001 (to be fair there were
external reasons as well). So during the time TW was known to be a
'Tiger' it was in even more restrictive one party rule than S'pore
or it was only beginning to change its system. So
fundamentally, I think my statement remains rather sound.
Also, with the current turmoil in TW (to be fair again, its prob
rather exaggerated by the media, things aren't that bad), though
violence are not democratic, but it is policy that seem
undemocratic (eg illegal assembly laws in S'pore) that can prevent
these kinds of violence.
"Can it attract FDI with a unstable political
climate" <-- another big sweeping statement . Why
you like to come from behind? Tell me is USA a democracy
having strong Alternative and Ruling party? do they debate a lot
and strongly?
Is USA politically unstable? Please
admit that you are making a sweeping statement. Only a child will
believe you.
I think we have to be careful when you want to compare S'pore
and the US. Both countries have no reason to be compared. USA has
vast resources, huge population(and huge domestic market), higher
levels of tech, different culture, massive land and a headstart on
us as an independent nation by more than two hundred years.
Our survival strategy will always be different to them, our
problems will always be different to them and our politics will
always be differnt to them.
And I am sure you are aware of the problems that USA has at the
moment, is it because of democracy? I dont think so, but it is
because of the mis-use of democracy and poor leadership. What you
have to ask- can singapore afford the consequences of such a
mis-use?
>>>> who is not
focussing on the good that is done? Are we not told to EXCEL? To
aim higher , better, more? Constant improvement! Never be
Complacent! No one owes you a living! Many simply have expected
that as minimum expectations due to highest renumeration
reasons. singaporeans expect value for money. Is
that dirty words? Is that wrong? In private sector, or
any sector, if you cannot perform, you are out. No One Owes You a
Living. Btw, while you sweep across your statements,
I like to remind you : Without the cooperation of the people ....
fill up the blanks. Fortunately, singaporeans are so unique that
regardless of which and how many countries have opted for CHANGE,
it may never change due to the majority and I suspect you ....r
....very....mee....siam...also...
Not sure what you meant here- maybe you could reword this?
>>> Can they try harder to disclose
the TC investments? We only know the few
percent that sank into Lehman. What about the rest
investments? What is the hum to disclose? TC got competitor
to anticipate moves? I
never forget how we the people have contributed to the
growth.
ahhh.. this is were we might actually agree- i think more
transparency might be needed when taxpayer's money is invested.
Though I have to admit I am unclear on the legal obligations for TC
to do so to parties who are not their shareholders. This is a very
good discussion point.
I prob shd see if I can find out more abt this.
Cheers!
