robertteh writes
This is what forum is for - to discuss topic of interest but you
seems to be saying that people must not voice personal grouses and
frustrations without real substantive arguments etc.
For once, you got something right here! This is exactly what I
am saying! The reason is simple: without naming names, I find it
disconcerting that people unhappy with their lives exaggerate their
situation and blame it on everyone else but themselves. I find it
amusing that there are people who think the government owes them a
living, who think it's their birthright they should live in the lap
of luxury, receive free medical care, and adopt a simple stance
that they are always the recipient of injustice. Far from
discouraging others from bringing up subjects, I am only saying
there must be some meat or real weight to it. Otherwise a more
appropriate place would be 'Chit Chat', not 'Politics'. (By stating
this so explicitly here, I am sure others will have many views on
this stance.)
robertteh writes
This further confirm your intolerance about correct others'
ideas and suggestion that may hint of incorrectness of past
policies of government.
I am hardly intolerant of others' view. In fact I have engaged
actively here in discussions, and responded to all posts which are
referred to me. However, it is true that I am beginning to become
intolerant of glaring examples of ignorance and
pseudo-comprehension. Where you are concerned, I pointed out your
factual error in
pinning 'electoral democracy' to Japan and South Korea. This is a
very clear case of whether you understand a technical term, or
whether you don't. I also asked if you understood the jargon
'proportional representation'. I no longer expect you to provide a
direct response to these since you have evidently gone out of your
way to avoid talking about such obvious ignorance on your part.
Where others are concerned, it is disconcerting to find people in a
politics forum who are unable to distinguish between a cabinet
minister and a member-of-parliament, and who insist there is only 1
Malay MP (when there are actually 12) even though they are really
thinking there is only 1 Malay cabinet minister.
robertteh writes
When you try to challenge others' views you should avoid taking
the approach that others have or have more reading than you.
What does that mean??? I do hope you checked your post before
sending them out. "Have or have more reading"???? Let me make a
guess: people should know what they are talking about. Where you
are concerned, it is only common courtesy that you read up on the
subject you intend to write on, before actually doing it. You
wouldn't like it if someone who is obviously unfamiliar with a
subject, say cooking, keeps on harping on it and provides wrong
pointers on how to make a dish, would you?
robertteh writes
May I advise you too to read my 7 points more closely to see the
whole picture
I have read it a number of times, especially when you keep
referring to them. I do not wish to be repetitive since you already
know what I think of your 7-points. You seem to be unable to
acknowledge that these points are details more suitable for
national constitutions (have you read at least one?) than
guidelines for democracy.
robertteh writes
Your one-sided view that first-past-the-post is superior appears
to be nothing more than your own preference or your bias.
I never said FPTP is superior or PR is inferior. Again, that's
your mistaken perception. I pointed out the flaws in PR that's all-
and these are really quite apparent to those who have read up on
electoral systems. I have no personal preferences on either,
although I am aware of the pros and cons of both. If you are so
keen on PR, perhaps you could tell us how it will be suitable in
Singapore's context. That would disprove my suspicion you are
unfamiliar with the subject, and also make interesting reading at
the same time. I couldn't help but laugh at the phrase "....appears
to be nothing more than your own preference or your bias. " I
should be flattered that my very own words have been plagiarised by
another to be directed at me. 
On a final note, let me ask again: is there a real crisis of
governance here? Or are you beating the drums, and hoping the
reverberations will psyche others into thinking there is
one?
