http://forums.delphiforums.com/sammyboymod/messages/?msg=53332
Finally, someone with a functioning brain arguing rationally.
Pal...like many other rabid but misguided anti establishment types
on this forum, it is you who should wake up to reality. Your
complaints are so trite and rhetorical that it is standard
operating procedure for any opposition party wannabes. But
obviously, at every general elections..the people don't buy it...at
least in the constituencies that are contested.
Your arguments are not based on facts but irrational perceptions.
Let me try to deconstruct your bullshit:
1. Government is not social service. That's the trouble with you
lot...you think the best and brightest will serve when they can do
better elsewhere in a booming economy that was brought about by the
correct government policies in the first place ? Yes there will be
many incompetent and clowns who will be happy to be a Minister or
MP for far less money..in fact for free even...since they can then
go and raid the state coffers. Why do you think our government and
system is consistently among the least corrupt in the world ? You
are also wrong in saying the Ministers and top civil servants
demand as much pay as top CEOs....check your facts again and learn
how the gahmen determines it's top pay structure. Only small minded
underachieving people will begrudge the money paid to the small
group of people who determines whether this country progress and
prospers...or goes down the drain.
2. Singapore is small, and it's achievements cannot be taken in
absolute terms with far larger countries such as the USA and China.
However in relative terms, in per capita terms, and in the short
space of time since independence....Singapore has, in the judgement
of many independent international experts..achieved what no other
country has given the odds it has to overcome. Comparing us with
China and USA is silly...we are not even in the same ball park. But
in relative terms we have achieved so much more.
3. You are always comparing Singapore ministers' salaries with
those of China and the US...and inferring that it is far more
difficult to run such big countries therefore Singapore's ministers
are overpaid. That's being grossly simplistic and ignorant of the
responsibility of government. The US and China, for example..are
far larger and diverse countries and as such present more complex
challenges to run it than a compact state like Singapore. However,
these countries also have huge resources and human talents on tap,
and there is far more room for error and experimentation. China
survived the ravages of nature and political diasters over the
milleniums that would have long obliterated a tiny red dot like
Singapore. The challenges are very different..and so are the
problems. It's not a matter of which countries are more difficult
to run..but whether their respective governments, over time, have
made their country the best that they can be. In this regard, I
feel Singapore has come up tops. Do not compare the essence of
government to a simplistic analogy of which is more difficult or
easier...is badminton more difficult than squash ?
4. Tell me, fool..which government in the world volunteers to share
power with their opponents ? Those that do cannot invariably help
it...they do not have the overwhelming majority of popular support
to demand it. The fact that Singapore has a weak opposition cannot
be simply blamed on government manipulation... that's the
opposition's chronic excuse for their own mediocrity. Ask yourself,
why have opposition candidates (and many do stand for elections)
routinely rejected by the electorate ? Are Singaporeans plain
stupid ? Come come...give credit when it's due.
5. The ISA is a bogey that our opposition uses as another of its
many excuses for not performing. FACT: No opposition party member
is or have been detained under the ISA for almost 2 decades now.
The ISA is directed against subversives with violent intent, avowed
communists, and terrorists elements. I challenge you to show which
opposition member is under ISA detention ? Don't say Chia Thye Poh
because that fellow is a hardcore communist that refused to
renounce violent revolution...a dinosaur that has to be confined on
Sentosa.
6. Wat tokking you ? Terrorist are and have targetted the countries
you mention. No place on earth is exempt..not even the heart of
Islam in Saudi Arabia. Yet have you ever wondered why Singapore has
not had any terrorist attacks even though we are a strong supporter
of the US in the region, with the US Navy frequently visiting our
naval facilities in Changi ? You have our gahmen and its agencies
to thank for that.
7. Government's duty to provide jobs..yes..but do you think our
spoilt Singaporeans will take the jobs that are provided ? If they
prefer to live under mum and dad's charity than go and sweat it out
in the sun, issit the gahmen's fault ? The gahmen can only provide
the fishing rods and the bait..you have to go catch your own
fish...figuratively speaking that is. People not happy..how do you
prove it ? Is there forment in the streets ? Do people throw rotten
eggs at their ministers ? Or is it only just you and your many
sympathisers on this forum ? You hide behind your anonymity and
bitch about everything but do you have the guts to show your face
and fight your cause ? Nahh..actually you dickheads are just too
comfortable..Hokkien saying..chiak pah bo tai chi chor (full
stomach with fuck all to do).
8. A Happiness survey..on this forum ? You are being stupid.
besides there have benn numerous surveys conducted by independent
organisations that gauges the contentment levels of various
socities..we already know that Singapreans are far happier than
many societies in the world.
9. Mao Tse Tung ? That man set China's economy back decades with
his infamous Cultural revolution. Deng Xiao Peng ? He had the right
ideas but he died before he can put them into practice, leaving
behind a younger and more enlightened team to bring China forward.
Remember, he was also the one who ordered the Tiananmen slaughter
that though widely condemned at the time, nevertheless restored
order in a troubled China that enabled it's rapid economic progress
we see today. LKY was one of the few who supported the Tiananmen
decision at the time...and he was, as usual absolutely right. Know
your recent Chinese history before you flash names around.
10. A government serves the people..but the people also empowers
the government. So if you are unhappy then come out in the open and
help disempower this government....not hide behind your nick and
take potshots. If you are not prepared to pay the price of change,
then stop talking about it. Accept and be content. You will be
happier for that.
11. You keep using the word brainwashed. That's a convenient excuse
to deny reality. Can I also say you are brainwashed by populist
opposition ideals, mindlessly rejecting all the positive aspects of
our gahmen and society ? It is not brainwashing, dickhead...it's
facing up to the facts.
Bottom line : you are probably young and frustrated by your own
inadequacies...envious at the success of others..and looking for
something to blame for your own lack of achievement. You have one
finger up your ass and the other hand covering your eyes..and the
only smell you are getting is that of your own ...[Message
truncated]
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Edited 18/08/2004 23:17 ET ET by Swingstar46
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From: woe_betide 00:47
To: Swingstar46 46 of 56
53160.46 in reply to 53160.28
I'm leaving to explore opportunities outside Singapore. Of course,
if I find Singapore still has some milk and honey that's ripe for
the picking, I'm going to be there. However, like yourself, I'm
also hedging my bets by maintaining the means to live in another
country should things in Singapore take a turn for the worse. I
don't find fault with your arguments about how the govt has turned
Singapore to what it is today in spite of little resources, but I
feel every Singaporean would do well to take a leaf out of the
fineprint that appears on those flashy unit trust brochures: "Past
performance is not an indication of future returns".
