I will say this again, it is not about the party themselves, but
what policies the party brings forward.
And you have to talk about issues beyond a tax raise. I can
agree with the PAP on certain issues, but I will also disagree on
some of the PAP's policy.
Personally, I do have certain viewpoints and stance that I hope
any political party should take.
Let's talk about rising cost of living from food to
transportation. The cost of food and transportation is all affected
by the cost of oil. The problem is, we do not have a real
alternative energy source other tha natural gas.
So what can be done to resolve a long term problem? Firstly,
build nuclear power station( not nuclear enrichment facilities)
which does not pose a military threat to the region.
Say what you want about solar, wind and tidal energy, but
singapore simply do not have the space to accomadate such
technology, and use them on a reasonable scale. If we choose solar
as our main energy source, the cost of generating eletricity will
go up.
Yes, Nuclear energy is a risk, but it is a risk that is
necessary, as there is no other viable alternative. If we do
not go nuclear, once we run of out fuel and natural gas, we will be
too reliant on neighbouring countries for their power stations,
like their nuclear power plant. Which is not a good thing.
Instead, singapore should build nuclear facility, and if we
generate enough power, export them to neighbouring states like
Malaysia. If not, train workers who is able to run nuclear
facilities, as you need HIGHLY trained workforce to do that, then
export our expertise to the region.
Transportation wise, government should push for incentive in
regards to electric cars. Provide incentive to car makers which
wants to build elecitric cars here. Cost of oil will rise again
sooner or later, electric cars can provide more value in the long
run. Gave grants to companies who improve electric car techology.
Let them set up their industries here in singapore, their R&D
department as well.
Also, nationalise the transportation companies like SMRT(
meaning make them less profit driven) , free rides for children,
students and the eldery. For the working adults, amount spend on
transportation should be minimum, at the most $ 50 per month, no
matter the distance.
For public transporation, shift and change the types of buses
used, and let them use an electric engine as well, make us less
dependant on the foreign market.
Raise the COE tax and ERP tax on private ownership of cars. Cars
are an luxury, let it be an luxury. Singapore is a city, walking
for a while will not kill you, and when you have a good enough
public transportation system, make full use of that system.
Food issues, look into concepts of a tower farming, or
underground farming. Either build skyscrapers meant to grow food or
develop a artifical underground system where food can be grown.
Reason? Ensure that we are not too dependent on foreign food, a
food crisis is enough to kill off singapore. We do need to be
dependent on ourselves as well. We do not have enough land area to
have a normal farm, hence our only choice is to build up or down.
Those kind of artifical buildings need skilled labours as well,
which is why I believe it secure or provides a sort of skilled
labour that cannot be easily replaced by countries besides us.
Yes, those projects is energy intensive, which is why we need a
reliable power source, nuclear energy.
Tax issues? Tax a company's windfall profits, increase tax on
companies, MNCs or private companies when they become rich enough
to support themselves. We need a decent middle-class society to
function. Lower tax on lower and lower tier middle income
group.
Create a maximum salary on CEOs and managers. Try your best to
lower and spread the wealth around. Grant higher income groups
incentives when the economy is doing well, for their effort in
balancing the income gap, and increasing the GDP of the nation as a
whole.
Regulate the companies frequently, ensure no companies decides
to take a risk that is too dangerous. If a company is in danger,
and can harm the country, nationalise it, and replace the decision
making body of those companies. Provide certain benefits to
companies that uphold good business values.
Decrease our reliance on a service economy. Espeically in
regards to tourism. Unless the world can suddenly find a new
alternative energy that is cheaper than oil, tourism will undoubtly
decline. The rising cost of transportation continues to rise, even
when the price of oil droped recently.
Rely less on tourism to boast the economy in the long run, in
the short run, it is viable, but do not be too reliant on
tourism.
Focus heavily on energy related industry, that is a thing we
needs to address.
Worker/social issues? Conduct checks on failing business, try
and predict the surivival of some business. If some business is
going to collaspe, either bring in new companies in to replace the
failing company, or provide temporary aid to people who have just
lost their jobs.
Workers or employees with a family to support will be given
priority, such as giving our money and pay for a basic cost of
living, food, water electricity, and cover the basic cost of
schools, such as the schools equipment fees and so on. Grant
families a certain amount of CPF to be used under such scenario.
Give them a limit for 3 months at the most, their new job may not
be too good, but they have to cut down their cost of living.
For the elderly, government should provide the aged with free
living quarters, free food, water and energy. However, encourage
childrens to look after their parents depending on their income. A
social net should be provided for the elderly. Also, increase the
retirement age, people in modern society do have a longer life, and
can work for a longer period of time.
Allow them to do so, and prevent companies to retire older
employees simply because they are older. Lawsuit can be made
against companies if no reasonable reason has been given to lay off
older employee. Set up a council to judge this issues, before
bringing them to the court, as most people who get laid off don't
really have money to begin with. Again, provide companies with
benefits if they choose to take care of the older employees. People
who want to have a later retirement age ususally have more
financial diffculties.
Education wise, set up a political issues class at the secondary
school level. Avoid talking about political parties, and focus on
social issues. Let the class and teachers discuss about government
policies, and what kind of new ideas can be brought up. Allow
debates to take place time to time, and ensure younger generation
do have the necessary knowledge to vote. Let the students know
about political issues, and let them form their opinions on it. If
possible, employ teachers who have a political science or history
background, where the issue of running a state is given some sort
of focus. Students do not need to pass a exam on this topic, but
they should be given education and discussion on these issues.
Allowing social/political issues to be discussed in Junior
College is too late, and polytechincs students don't even have a
chance to discuss it among peers.
Also, extend compulsary education to secondary school levels,
knowledge is important no matter what. Without proper education and
knowledge, it is easy for us to regress technologically. Decrease
the cost of universities for locals if possible, and decrease the
amount of foreign students.
What we want to do is to attract foreign students, but we need
to attract the best of the best. The less slots given, the harder
it is to get in, and only those that excel can get in. Increase
R&D projects, in regards to energy issues if possible, we need
to find a way to attract more people here. If countries like US
choose to remain conservative on certain scientific issues, it is
our chance to grab those talents who want to develop their ideas
here.
However, more locals should be given a chance to get into
university, as the need for higher education is always required.
Increase the space of uni for poly grads, there has been a growing
trend where people who choose to get into JC choose the poly route.
Let the poly be more academic and have a slightly harder and more
in depth study. Let our poly be able to compete with regional
university, which is not impossible. Improve our education
standards. Rather than letting those talents fade away and go
overseas, we want to retain those people inside our university.
Split univeristy intake equally among poly grads and JC grads.
If cannot allow our skilled labour force to decline, we need a
society of extremely skilled labour force. Granting people who did
not get into poly or did not get into Universrity lower our
reputation of a skilled labour force.
Now, I have provided some of my political issue and stance,
beyond the mindless PAP, electoral system bashing. Poh and others,
I would like to hear the political issues that you support.
You think you're the only one who can think an write out such a
"splendid" essay on reccomendations for this country?
Do you really think i, or many others like me have never done a
government project or assignment such as this?
Its all talk, and no action will be done. you have to realize,
what we want is one thing. Whether or not "they" listen is
another.
So heres a recommendation - stop wasting your intellectual
abilities on such matters and live your life.
Change is inevitable. Just pray you live long enough to see
it.
