Originally posted by Iowem:
[quote]Originally posted by Atobe:
[b]... this situation of 'continuous indebtedness' for all
Singaporeans, is part of the political scheme of things ... had the
Government not been greedy in dictating the MINIMUM PRICE for land
that are sold by the URA for Private Developments, the price of
homes would not have been unaffordable to most
Singaporeans.
This is hardly restricted to Singapore. In California, the
median price of a home is about USD $400,000, which incidentally
makes it relatively unaffordable to 75% of the population. Yet they
still go into just this amount of debt just to buy a home!
Crazy?
No crazier than Singaporeans going into debt buying homes and cars
at such high prices.
While, like many, I would have liked to lay the blame squarely at
the government's feet, I have also realised that it goes beyond
that.
You see, having most of the citizens in debt and working off their
collective behinds to service their debt can be considered to be "a
means of control". [/b][/quote]
The situation in the USA is purely commercial, as the political
system is based on an open political process.
In Singapore, the political process is similar to that of a Third
World in which the Government creates an environment in which the
Citizen is totally dependent on the Government.
What better way then to create an environment of perpetual
indebtedness, in which the Citizen's ability to service the debt
will be dependent on his own economic survival, which in turn is
supposed to depend on the perpetuation of the present political
status quo ?
continuing post by Iowem:
[quote]Originally posted by Atobe:
[b]The only way to shake ourselves out of this bind, is to change
the status quo in the next election.
Coming from a political angle, yes, perhaps if the "right"
people are elected (it does not matter from which party), perhaps
things might change.
But coming from a systems approach angle, I now believe that there
are some things beyond the power of government to control.
Tolerances and limits have been breached in many areas in the
financial sector. Though they are for the most part invisible, the
manifestations of their effects are starting to be felt.
From the resources angle, too, we are also beginning to see signs
of limits being reached.
Having the "right" arrangement of people who are nominally in
charge of things might help - hopefully!
But I wouldn't bet my individual behind on that.
On the other hand, trying to appeal to individuals to change their
destructive behaviour is a huge task, and that is an
understatement.
There may be a solution. Or there may not. We don't know. Nobody
knows. [/b][/quote]
From the present political situation in Singapore, I believe that
our reknown Authoritarian Government is in a position to influence
the outcome of the destructive behavior of the Citizens - when it
suits their grand scheme of things.
WHAT or WHO will constitute to be the "Right People" ?
One will never know until those who dare to put themselves up for
NOMINATION, becomes ELECTED by the Citizens.
It is amazing that while many prefer to stand on the sidelines to
pass judgment, they will not even give any chance to any one
willing to stick one's neck out to be in Parliament to give
representation to the 'Alternative Voice' that is not heard in the
volume needed.
The reasons have been that those few Opposition Candidates are
unworthy to represent Singaporeans.
The unfortunate reality is that those few Opposition Candidates are
in no position to counter offer the many 'goodies' that the
Candidates from the Ruling Party can offer.
By the next election before 2006, it is time probably for
Singaporeans to review if they need MILLION DOLLAR salaried
Ministers to tell Singaporeans that they are over paid - when
factory workers have average monthly wage of $1200, graduates with
starting pay of $1500 (if they can get a job), airport ground staff
averaging $1500 to $4000, flight crew $2000 to $4000, and pilots
between $15000 to $22000.
On hind sight, the retired Foreign Minister of Singapore - Mr
Rajaratnam - was right after all, when he warned in the early
1980's, of the increasing dangers and pitfalls of Singaporeans
worshipping the chase for money and for the material things that it
can bring.
He termed it as MONEYTHEISM.
