CSJ Presents during banned forum, about poverty in Singapore

Skibi SG

I can understand what the PAP is doing from a financial/economic point of view. But it is important to remember that humans are living things with feelings e.g loyalty. The success of a leader is dependant on three things, wisdom, charisma, and technical capability.

Rock^Star SG

No one's using extremity to judge and he hasn't done much regarding your second sentence.

If a politician criticises, he must be able to offer viable solutions. Simple. He cannot just criticise and then hit the ball into the govt's court. He must at least show Singaporeans that he's not an empty vessel.

Atobe SG

For one who cannot even 'hold a candle' near to CSJ, all we can interpret from such a statement is one of resentful envy.

The strength applied in dismissing CSJ clearly reveals the depths of the critic's resentment that is largely caused by some deep and helpless impotence caused by one's own mediocrity.

Rock^Star SG

So how do Singaporeans vote an activist into parliament?

LazerLordz SG

That will take a serious change in our social mindset.

However, I think CSJ can do more as an activist. However, the SDP as a party should think about long-term power goals.

Rock^Star SG

Could you clarify long-term power goals?

Atobe SG

For his solutions, try reading some of his books, especially the earlier one on 'Dare to Change : An Alternative Vision for Singapore' - in which CSJ claimed in an interview :

For example in 'Dare To Change', we clearly laid out our vision for Singapore.

Many of the points cited in there are now echoed by the PAP in its S21 plan. But the media refused to report and publish the points raised in the SDP's manifesto

If this statement was false, surely there would have been the characteristic vigorous counter from MIW.

How should we interpret the deafening silence from MIW to such a claim from CSJ ?

Another reference book from CSJ will be 'Your Future, My Faith, Our Freedom' - which contained his thoughts on the following:

Chapter 1 : The Political System
Chapter 2 : The Economy
Chapter 3 : The Economy II
Chapter 4 : Dsitrbibution of Wealth
Chapter 5 : Social Security
Chapter 6 : The Media and Censorship
Chapter 7 : Society and the People

He has committed on paper his hopes and aspiration of what Singapore should be, and anyone can read and provide a critical opinion to what has been written by him.

How many will dare put in writing the ideals one has for Singapore, and put in the effort to make those ideals happen ?

soulwinner SG

This guy won't have much supporter... Mr. Green

Atobe SG

Definitely not from MIW fans...

Rock^Star SG

Thanks for the info! I have read 'Your Future, My Faith, Our Freedom'. It does present sound arguments and interesting ideologies on our economy.

Nobody knows for sure whether it works a not but he has to continuosly repeat it, otherwise Singaporeans will not be very aware of his vision. The only vision most of our countrymen see is that of PAP's.

If he criticises the govt in terms of not helping the poor, long hospital waiting times and widening income gaps, then he must show that he has the solutions. I believe an ordinary Singaporean's mindset would dismiss him as, "criticise only, no solution, easy." He must understand this mentality of the common people and then surprise all, contrary to their stereotype. After all, this is a man who desires to be voted into parliament to further his cause.

LazerLordz SG

Like sustainability, community outreach and a party manifesto that can engage the issues facing Singaporeans. The SDP, or any party for that matter would probably need to hire PR consultants to create a brand label, for the public to see and associate it with certain causes in a clear and unshakeable manner. This will apply to areas such as online media, which requires a clear, simply accessed, slick and professional looking webspace as well.

Spin is inevitable, and negative media focus is inevitable too. So the next department that is vital is a strong media team that can keep on their toes and issue well-reasoned OpEds to counter the state media's slant and accusations.

Like it or not, a party needs policy wings and policymakers. CSJ is the activist, probably building a vision. He needs people who can craft policies to sell to the people in order to build that vision.

Rock^Star SG

That's workable. I'm not sure what Chee thinks though Laughing .

He's been focusing so much on the activist part that I feel it may have gone on overdrive. He really needs to understand why he has been garnering such low votes in the past 2 elections (media coverage aside).

Atobe SG

Originally posted by Rock^Star:

Thanks for the info! I have read 'Your Future, My Faith, Our Freedom'. It does present sound arguments and interesting ideologies on our economy.

Nobody knows for sure whether it works a not but he has to continuosly repeat it, otherwise Singaporeans will not be very aware of his vision. The only vision most of our countrymen see is that of PAP's.

If he criticises the govt in terms of not helping the poor, long hospital waiting times and widening income gaps, then he must show that he has the solutions. I believe an ordinary Singaporean's mindset would dismiss him as, "criticise only, no solution, easy." He must understand this mentality of the common people and then surprise all, contrary to their stereotype. After all, this is a man who desires to be voted into parliament to further his cause.

Should CSJ help this Government with more ideas, and allow this Government to take credit for any successful outcome, considering that his ideas were adopted unashamedly without any credit given to CSJ ?

It is matter of one's values, experiences, and expectations that affects one's judgement of someone else's ideas and statements in prints.

You could engage him on his views and probably will have a better insight of the Man himself.

No one holds on to certain views as events make those views no longer valid due to changes in circumstances; however, changes should not go against the grain of one's Stated Principles.

At least, CSJ was prepared to stand his ground compared to LKY's U-Turn of his youthful speeches on 'Democracy and Freedom' thrown at the Colonial Government during the 1950s.

Rock^Star SG

So how do you propose that he garner more votes in the next election?

Rock^Star SG

Of course I'm aware that I used the PM example. However, my point is not in those two letters. Perhaps you can pay more attention to my 3 points, so that you can justify how he may rectify those 3 points in parliament as an MP.

For your reference (an exerpt in my previous reply to Atobe):

If he criticises the govt in terms of not helping the poor, long hospital waiting times and widening income gaps, then he must show that he has the solutions. I believe an ordinary Singaporean's mindset would dismiss him as, "criticise only, no solution, easy." He must understand this mentality of the common people and then surprise all, contrary to their stereotype. After all, this is a man who desires to be voted into parliament to further his cause.

nismoS132 SG

and as i have mentioned, he is there to ensure the PAP's faults and mistakes are not hidden away. he is there to keep check and balance, and if he were to be voted into parliament as an MP, his role would be to question the government on the policies they have formulated, highlight the flaws, critique it and ensure the people's demands are met.

as for your question, it has already been answered by atobe.

Rock^Star SG

Come on, don't hide behind his answer. I would like your answer.

(Anyway, I am still awaiting further elaboration from Atobe regarding this qn:

"So how do you propose that he garner more votes in the next election?"
)

Since it's not advisable that Chee leaks his plans out for fear of PAP stealing his ideas (which is a valid point), how else do you propose that he change the mentality of Singaporeans who go, "All criticism, no solution" so that he may hope to be voted into parliament the next election?

Atobe SG

Originally posted by Rock^Star:

So how do you propose that he garner more votes in the next election?

Diligent sincerity, honest actions, purposeful confrontation, continuous education of the Citizen, and the continuous push to make the Citizen aware of their political rights.

The successes of Opposition Members from other countries - after decades of oppression - should be made known to every level of society, and Singaporeans must be conciously aware of their 'Past and Present Experiences, which should be loudly advertised by any means - {peaceful public actions, bloggings, youTube, and podcasting}.

The success of Singapore is not due entirely to LKY's single-handed genius, as it involves Dr Goh Keng Swee, Dr Toh Chin Chye, Jek Yun Tong, Rajaratnam, and the foreign consultants recruited to advise the Cabinet.

Likewise, CSJ will have to recruit his A-Team.

nismoS132 SG

sadly, i don't have my own answer because 1, i don't have a proper understanding politics nor economics, and 2, i don't know chee well enough to give you an answer. but that is besides the point.

my point is that at this point in time, with the unfair odds given, with chee in parliament, he will act as a check and balance against the pap. until the pap loses the majority of seats, and we get a fair distribution of power among the different parties, with suitable people placed in suitable cabinet positions, whatever chee proposes will just be stoned walled.

Rock^Star SG

Thanks for the frank admission.

I would love to see Chee turn his image around and let Singaporeans see more credibility in him as per the early to mid nineties.

Problem is....I'm not sure if his current activist image will help him win more votes and usher him into parliament.

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