I love Singapore.
Singapore is where I grew up. Singapore is where my family and
friends are. Singapore is where I have called home for over three
decades.
I am not emigrating to avoid my citizenship responsibilities. I
have served and completed my full time National Service. I pay both
my income and consumption taxes to the full extent required by the
law. I have obeyed the laws of Singapore. I am not under
persecution and enjoy many freedoms.
I am considering emigration for economic reasons. I am emigrating
because I wish economic security. Because I believe that the
welfare of citizens should not be sacrificed on the altar of rapid
economic growth. Because I believe age discrimination is wrong.
Because I fear economic non-viability above the age of forty.
Because I fear dying old, sick and destitute when I am unable to
afford medical care in a society with no social safety net. Because
I actually want to be a property owner and not a technical
leaseholder. I am considering emigration because I ignore the mass
media propaganda and try to actually understand the economic
viability of immobile citizens in a topdown-managed tiny nation
state in a rapidly changing world.
I am considering emigration for political reasons. I am emigrating
because I wish to participate in civil society without having to
register a political party. Because I reject the idea of political
OB markers. Because I believe citizens (not PRs or foreigners)
should have the primary influence in the running of the country.
Because I believe a government should serve the citizen, and not
rule the citizen. Because I want to live in a democracy, not a
oligarchy. Because I believe a free press having their hidden
agendas but that agenda should never blindly echo that of the
ruling party in government. I am considering emigration because I
want to be able to express my love and affection for my country
without immediately being scrutinised for a political agenda.
I am considering emigration for personal reasons. I am emigrating
because I love long roadtrips, even though I have no interest in
cars. Because mountains and cliffs and wide open beaches stir my
soul. Because I want to see sparkly stars at night and fluffy
clouds in the day right on the horizon. Because every place I hold
close to my heart in Singapore is rapidly being torn down,
redeveloped and upgraded into glitzy souless tourist attractions. I
am considering emigration because I want to be where being a little
offbeat, weird, odd or downright quirky is acceptable.
I am considering emigration because I am not wanted in Singapore.
Because when a government acts like a utilitarian corporation, the
citizens will act like pragmatic consumers. Because I believe in
the power economic choice of "taking your dollar elsewhere if you
don't like the service".
I am considering emigration because although a nanny goverment may
tell me how to live my life and define the penalties for
disobedience, I exercise the choice to decide if I wish to accept
life on such terms. - By SingaporeSerf
