Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see an active community posting
their thoughts and opinions so candidly! Who said freedom of speech
is dead in Singapore?
.......
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not
propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just
really is proud of Singapore. : )
To the TS,
Forummers are right, your post
serves to humor people for a wonderful friday.
I shall reciprocate and humor you
with some of my comments, by spending some of my precious friday
time on it.
You-Said in Green.
I-Reply in Blue.
Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see
an active community posting their thoughts and opinions so
candidly! Who said freedom of speech is dead in
Singapore?
>>> You are new?
Are you not Gazelle? ok lah, i act blur also to play the game with
you. and it starts now!
Just though I'd post some thoughts
that have been burning in my mind the past few years.
>>> "Just though
I'd post some thoughts" what talking you?
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred
and I'm damn proud of Singapore. Politically, I am happy with the
way the government has tried to raise the quality of life for its
citizens and create a sustainable economy. Is it a perfect
government? Definitely not! Has it made mistakes? Of course! Can
it go easier on the opposition? Maybe.
>>> Who is not a
singaporean here? You only is singaporean ? Are you sure you
understand politics to be happy with the way things are?
But I'd question the views of some
who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and
similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours
really suit a western style democracy?
>>> 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.
>>>Confucian culture? My
friend is singapore indian leh. You cannot say like that. This
system may and can change if my friend an indian singaporean runs
and wins election. So, should not say Confucian now means
forever.
One only has to look at Taiwan and
maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work
in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like
S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever
changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political
climate?
>>>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.
"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.
Why not focus on the good the
government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves
from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the
majority of country having themselves and their offspring
alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand
the enormity of that accomplishment?
>>>> 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...
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do
sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries
its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
>>> 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.
NB: the author does not work in
the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the
Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. :
)
>>> whether you are
biased or not, everyone knows, including yourself.
Btw, people in a democracy who
agree to disagree may or maynot also be patriots.
Again, you are sweeping. But I shall respect
your views, whatever it is...I believe singaporeans simply have not
experienced revolutionary changes and other freedoms of
democracy for them to understand what real world is all about. Real
world = Different Opinions = not illegal but educational and
honesty and no bias.
