the Bear SG it is the apathy and how people have become jaded that is the problem.. "true democracy " requires the people.. if the people do not care, then maybe they don't deserve it... again, some people have fallen into that trap.. democracy is from bottom up, not top down...
sgdiehard SG After all these are solved, issues rectified, may be singapore will ask: "why should you be taken as citizen?" what are you contributing?" If you take away 30% humidity from the air, bring the average temperature down to 25 degree C, maintain average rain fall to ensure water supplies..,we would be in heaven
robertteh SG If people are bearish about democracy, that is a different story. I don't know whether Singaporeans deserve democracy for they are apathetic just looking at their posting.
robertteh SG I wrote that book to stamp on my copyright only. Never mind about selling it as I am not banking on people in this forum to buy it.
the Bear SG what's "bearish about democracy "? about apathy, even at work, i face things like this... because the big boss tells them to do it, they don't even question... they just do it.. and become very defensive when they know it's terrible and unethical.. they turn around to those who question and say "the boss told me to do it "... "the gabrament say one... " or they just don't care... is that apathy? coz they don't post anything and are not active in the internet... these are ordinary people... and sadly, the majority who do not even attempt to voice out anything, but will just shrug their shoulders and do what they are told... trying to get them to do something to save themselves is almost next to impossible.. what more to ask them stick out their necks for their neighbours? give them democracy? democracy is earned..
robertteh SG It is well proven in this forum is that they are too many beneficiaries or grass root members here intent on intervening in people's free discussions in forums overzealously uttering invectives and veiled threats against them including asking them to take the next plane or migrating to other countries or banishments just because of intolerance of other views and suggestions to improve the whole government. Is this the state of governance called good humidity, temperance, nationalism, meritocracy and asian values or community bonding?
robertteh SG Not true lah as Indonesians have just celebrated democracy and do care to have democratically elected leaders.
sgdiehard SG There is an assumption here that supporting singapore equals supporting the government or PAP. The question Why be a Singaporean is a question only for PR or new immigrants. To me, there is no preconditions that there should be democracy, freedom of discussions......I am a Singaporean, because I was born here and I grow up here. There is nothing worthy or not worthy.
robertteh SG There is an equal assumption that speaking up or telling the truths are not supporting Singapore or anti-PAP. PM Lee had said in his inauguration speech that he was worried about Singaporans who have no views. So I ask all who like to shut down differring views here by uttering threats and invectives against others to think again.
sgdiehard SG Why be a Singaporean is a question of individual opinion, not a question of truth! Singaporeans who are proud of being singaporean regardless of its political or economic situation are entitled to voice their opinion the same way as those who calculate every cent before they support the country, in other word, singaporeans who don't give a shit about politics but are also entitled to speak, and not everybody's view has to be politically motivated!! I believe everybody who live in this country are beneficiaries of what the country has to offer, whether grass root members or not. Agree there are some singaporeans here asking those who do not feel belong to leave. I may or may not agree with such expression of nationalism, but I do not therefore labelled them grass root members (of PAP? correct me if I am wrong). I won't be worried about invectives or veiled threats from anybody if I can support my opinion.
devoid05 SG this is a good question... up till now... i'm still searching for the answer... once again, PM Goh's question rings incessantly in my head " are you a stayer or a quitter?" without any hesitation and cause to be ashamed of myself... i wld reply "i'm a quitter!" i believe that many singaporeans would share the same sentiments too...
robertteh SG Those who are prepared to give differnt views from those of government whether these view are opinions or facts are helping to provide alternative views or solutions needed to improve Singapore's governance. The last two recessions and Asian Financial Crisis have witnessed how numbed our talents or scholars were - helpless and without solutions. The best brains in charge were simply unable to solve or contain problems as problems solving cannot be done by a few leaders alone and solutions are too many and diverse. Therefore, it will be unrealistic to keep harping on the same old policies or views as given by the government or the press that everything is fine and economy is going up. The world is de-massifying due to advancing technologies and rising competitions among nations. Mainstream views have resulted in complacency although they have helped previously. Critics are able to generate some push to correct definitive views on so many issues - mediacorps and mediaworks were formed with so much fanfare under one policy and now they are saying that that policy was wrong after all. So nothing is that infallible as painted. Please think again who are nationalistic, or loyal to Singapore and who can help solve problems - grass roots or non-grass roots ?
CenturionMBT SG Politics is damn dirty. Mix in anything with politics and nothing seems right. So if you are asking me to mix my individual feelings with politics, of course it seems wrong. Right now it is the matters of the heart, not the mind. I was born here, i was raised here and as long as i managed to adapt to life here, i am happy. That is the most important thing in life. A cup can either be half empty or half full. No need to try to tell those people who view that the glass is half full as half empty. Not only you create a hell lot of unhappy people, you also lost your credibility.
fymk SG I would rather say to GCT, I am a "foreign talent" and an "opportunist", not a quitter , to his face if he asks me that question because I didn't quit Singapore , I merely grabbed an opportunity that came my way. I give Singapore's foreign talent policy some credit for my decision...why compete with foreigners in my homeland when I can compete with locals in another country. My passport is still Singaporean and I still like the insignia on my Singaporean passport.....I still love everything Singaporean. However, Singapore can't give me the future I desire , so I have no choice but to look elsewhere.
Qitai SG I don't think they said the policy is wrong. I believe the statement made is that the policy is right but the companies are losing $$, so they ALLOW the merger. But, of course, conspiracy thoeries would say they made them merge.
The Barracuda SG Patriotism needs no reason. We love our country because we are born and grow up here.
