WHILE the buzz leading to today's Budget is palpable, I am less
enthused for two reasons.
First, my home address. Based on my pay, I am considered
middle-income. But because the Government chooses to look instead
at the address written on my identity card, rather than my income,
I am invariably disqualified from receiving the many incentives
handed out on Budget day.
My father, an ordinary civil servant, had the foresight to
invest in a landed property long ago and so, I have lived in a
landed property since my birth.
But because of my father's foresight, I am considered
'wealthy'.
The other reason I don't look forward to the Budget is that I am
single.
Being single makes one feel that one does not really matter in
the scheme of things.
It does not matter that I am living with my parents and caring
for them.
Because I don't come attached with a husband and/or children, I
am not important.
So while everyone is wondering how the Budget will benefit them,
my hope is that the Government stops coming up with rules and
regulations that make it difficult for a single person to live in
Singapore and care for her parents at the same time.
Yvonne Lee (Miss)
