What you can vote for. Updated May 5th.

[Mockngbrd]

copy from FB

http://www.facebook.com/notes/verdy-wildca...150235776081474

 

A close friend asked why am I so interested in this GE.

 

 

 

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves what is exactly at stake in a moment like this. What exactly is my stake in Singapore? I've lived my life here, grew up in classes of 40 students, spent 5 years of my life as a civil servant & started a business here. Most importantly, this is where I want my children to grow up. That's my stake in the country. It matters to me, therefore I participate.

 

 

 

Frankly, the solution to my problem is easily migration, which I have researched & considered. However, my vote is my chance to have a stand in the nation. There are people who have taken it further. They exist within your political parties, as Chiam See Tong, Low Thia Khiang, Vincent Wijeysingha, Nicole Seah & so on. They exist as your alternative media like The Online Citizen & Temasek Review.

 

 

 

But...

 

We have to understand what are we voting for. We are not voting for material things. Our vote determines how the government will run & operate.

 

 

 

Well, seriously, I personally find it stupid to judge an opposition party by the "policies" they propose, neither do I think that the ruling party has good ones. It's a very objective & neutral view. The policies still have to undergo scrutiny by the Parliament before it can be implemented, which means sometimes, they may not come to pass. We're not far from doing lottery. Voting a party in based on the policies they propose doesn't mean it will happen. This leads to my first point. This is what you can vote for.

 

 

 

1. Good Government

 

 

 

A good government needs representatives from all segments of the citizenry to scrutinize policies, with Constitutional Amendments passed through 2/3 majority (Legislation with 1/2). Freedom of Speech & Press must be available to allow citizens to hold the parliament accountable.

 

 

 

We often don't hear of the 2nd line.

 

 

 

It's true that we must capitalize on the elite, but we cannot forget the weak & needy of our society. 1/3 opposition has to exist to ensure representation of all segments of citizenry. What's the point if the Opposition can never affect decisions? The citizens must be empowered to hold the parliament accountable.

 

 

 

That's the reason the opposition exist, that's the cause they are committed to, that's the reason that people want to vote them in. That's what's lacking in our government.

 

 

 

Of course, some things gotta go. We will have to sacrifice economic growth to take care of the problems in our own backyard. That is probably the most important place to take care of, because that's where my children will grow up. We all want to have the best for our children, we give them as much as we can. To have a good place to nurture our generations, we need to have checks which maintain the standards of our society. This leads to point 2.

 

 

 

2. GDP?

 

 

 

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to be a component of a set of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) encompassing Social Development, Happiness, Innovation & Creativity, Healthcare, Sanitation & Birthrate, most importantly, Median Wage (list to be proposed by government with credible opposition) when determining the performance of our government.

 

 

 

We can earn the biggest dollar but if our people are dying, what good is that for our sovereignity? If we have a low birthrate, how do we build our Defence Force? If our people are not happy, do we want the government to listen & act on our concerns? We need a perspective that is all-rounded, instead of just focusing on GDP. That can only come when you have a diverse set of opinions & views.

 

 

 

If money can buy everything, our current system works.

 

 

 

I'm still thinking should I write about Ministerial Salaries. It's like a damn myopic view when I talk about that topic. I would say we still have to pay them well. We can peg the salaries to the set of KPIs in point 1. I don't see why they shouldn't be paid well if they've taken care of GDP, Social Development, Happiness, Innovation & Creativity, Healthcare, Sanitation, Birthrate, and Median Wage.

 

 

 

Do we see this in the Opposition? Please read their manifestoes. If you are too lazy to read, I'll tell you, yes. That's what they advocate. They have policies in their manifestoes which are a direction for the future parliament to work on...

 

 

 

3. Values

 

Moral values that you agree with.

 

 

 

Personally, it's kinda hard to define what exactly should the values be. I don't think anyone can be very clear what values this country should have. Each generation will define their own values. However, it's easy to know what we don't agree with.

 

 

 

I'll tell you what I don't agree with. When the heat is on, we start to know what people are really made of.

 

 

 

Fairness & Honesty

 

 

 

GRC boundaries redrawn - http://bit.ly/lxyFXJ

 

I don't see why GRC boundaries be redrawn & citizens being allocated to other or even new constituencies at every GE? Are citizens a commodity to be handed over due to need? How do we develop a community spirit if citizens might belong to a different community every 5 years?

 

 

 

I don't see why campaigning can only happen over 9 days to drive across an incredibly important point of "Why should I give you my confidence for the next 5 years?" It takes time for people to understand, discover & know what thoughts we have for the nation. Not everyone has it on their mind everyday.

 

 

 

Why must there be a Cooling-Off Day? It is a reserved period of campaigning for the ruling party? Let's see what is on mainstream media during Cooling-Off Day.

 

 

 

State of media in Singapore - http://bit.ly/lQKFP7

 

I can't agree with the mainstream media limiting their reporting of Opposition compared to the ruling party.

 

 

 

It's true that politics is never fair that every party serves to ensure their own survival for the future, whatever it takes. But in the context of Singapore, and this GE, we see that the government has to listen to the citizens.

 

 

 

Kindness

 

 

 

5 years for Aljunied to "Repent" http://bit.ly/jGhQY8

 

I don't appreciate a threat being issued on mainstream media to my fellow citizens in another constituency simply because the turnout at a certain rally was overwhelming?

 

 

 

PM Lee apologises at Lunch Rally, Boat Quay - http://bit.ly/m21Xl4

 

I don't appreciate an apology when threats didn't work. How do I trust the ruling party then?

 

Why do they tell me about new universities when they are already in existence? or a sudden address to issues of healthcare, education & low income worker management after Opposition has highlighted these issues? Or a sudden willingness to listen to the views of the citizenry?

 

 

 

It just goes to show that, if it didn't look like they are losing, they won't listen or admit their faults. How do I entrust the next 5 years onto the ruling party again?

 

 

 

If there is sincerity, please follow up with action to "discipline" those that made mistakes. This is an insult to the values of individual citizens & their intelligence.

 

 

 

Transparency

 

 

 

GIC losses of $33 billion, Bloomberg - http://bloom.bg/k5Nl87

 

GIC losses of $41.6 billion, Wall Street Journal - http://on.wsj.com/k0LP8j

 

I cannot agree to the non-accountability of the losses by GLCs (Government Linked Corporations) to the citizens. On a very simple point, how can the citizens not know these when Bloomberg & WSJ are able to write on it?

 

 

 

Interview with Ong Teng Cheong, AsiaWeek - http://bit.ly/kZee97

 

I cannot agree to the non-accountability of the national reserves, that late president Ong Teng Cheong requested to know but was denied. It should be accountable to the citizens.

 

 

 

Construction cost of HDB is below $120k? - http://bit.ly/jOtmQA

 

I don't see why the cost of HDB has to be guarded with such secrecy. It should be accountable to the citizens.

 

 

 

I don't want to elaborate on how ministers have been dodging questions. YOG is a small issue compared to the above.

 

 

 

Stupidity or should I say, treating citizens like they are idiots

 

 

 

Inflation is 3% to 6%. CPF OA is 2.5%. I cannot agree that the CPF interest rate is below the inflation rate. Why should I put my money with you if I still lose money in the long run?

 

 

 

I cannot agree with public housing with 30 year loans & 30 year interests. You work the math & figure out how much do you actually pay. Gotta know the actual cost of housing.

 

 

 

SMRT Q4 profit jumps 50% - http://bit.ly/kxa6C9

 

I don't agree with public services like SMRT posting 50% profits in one quarter while reporting that fare hikes are due to necessity.

 

 

 

The Final Straw

 

Ok, this list can go on & on. There are many more examples.

 

 

 

Respect my elderly - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdJZCp8SQE

 

Parking in Handicap Lot - http://twitpic.com/4rt8ys

 

All expense paid trips to Singapore & Free PR - http://bit.ly/l0IdR1

 

 

 

How about enticing the elderly with food to have them attend rallies? That is an insult to them.

 

Parking in handicap lot? Ridiculous packages to foreign students with taxpayer monies? Or the many other scandalous news of foul play? That's not what I want in my government.

 

 

 

Respect my society.

 

I could feel the anxiety of people regarding drastic changes that may happen. The GRC system ensures the retention of the ruling party. The Opposition should exist to bring the quality of discussion & innovation within the Parliament to a higher level, as well as accountability.

 

 

 

Don't expect others to vote in the Opposition for you.

 

Only the citizens can decide. There is nobody else.

 

 

 

This is the last election which we have a voice. At the next election, you will find yourselves voting alongside a considerable number of new citizens from foreign countries. It really doesn't matter who you vote for then, you are outnumbered.

 

 

 

We can vote for policies to continue the way they are.

 

 

 

Or we can vote for alternative views to have all segments of the citizenry represented.

 

 

 

If you agree to this note, please make a difference by sharing it.

 

 

 

If you don't have a stand on nation building & politics, please discover one before Polling Day. Not having a stand doesn't mean you have to vote for the ruling party.

 

 

 

Be very sure of what you are voting for. If you are not, read from the top again.

[Mockngbrd]

Oops wrong section.. pai seh, can someone help move it? thnx yu

[Good-Carbuyer]

I a simple man wondering: will you vote people/party who introduced Gangsters-Rob-Citizens to bar citizens from voting the candidate of their choice.

[SimonTan]

Is there any pubs that I can go to on Saturday night, to feel the voting excitements?

Or should I just go downstair to my coffee shop and join the ah-pehs to rejoice or cry while waiting for the results?

 

 

 

 

[Swiftee]

Coffee shop with big TV best!

[Jpcc]

A very balanced, well written piece. Thanks for sharing

[A5SB]

I'm a simple man.... 2 words...

 

Not PAP.

[Readonly]

Is there any pubs that I can go to on Saturday night, to feel the voting excitements?

Or should I just go downstair to my coffee shop and join the ah-pehs to rejoice or cry while waiting for the results?

 

Erm you think its the draw for World cup ah?

hahaha.

[Good-Carbuyer]

[quote name='Reado

[Maroon5]

yeah coffeeshop best!! considering the aunties, uncles crowd there, if oppo win lagi best haha!!