DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem-
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DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
"SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore's ageing population issue is a one-off problem that resulted from having a very large baby boomer generation from the early 1950s to mid-60s." [Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo; CNA, 06Mar2013] (article appended at bottom)
Even Wikipedia has a fairer report about the history of SG's population measures (including the 1969 part where eugenics was attempted), excerpted from [population control in Singapore ] as follows:Population control in Singapore [Wikipedia] spans two distinct phases: first to slow and reverse the boom in births that started after World War II; and then, from the 1980s onwards, to encourage parents to have more children because birth numbers had fallen below replacement levels. Government eugenics policies flavoured both phases. In 1960s and 1970s, the anti-natalist policies flourished. The Family Planning and Population Board (FPPB) was established, initially advocating small families but eventually running the Stop at Two programme, which pushed for small two-children families and promoted sterilisation. From 1969 it was also used by government leaders to target lowly-educated and low-income women in an experiment with eugenics policies to solve social concerns.
My views about the issue are as follows:
- If SG govt had indeed expected the baby boomers to be a burden upon society during their aged years as opposed to a shrinking schooling generation as their progeny numbers shrunk, then the SG govt should then have saved up enough from taxes upon the baby boomer generation and saved this value in gold (/other equity value) so as to be a ready source of capital to finance in some way the retirement years of these seniors since the baby boomer workforce would have been a strong supply of labour and thus tax collections (and healthcare and education for the young a relatively less expensive concern then)- so where has the profitable taxes collected from the baby boomer generation gone?.
- If SG govt had anticipated baby boomers to have fewer offspring to care for them in their older years, then govt should have encouraged these baby boomers to save on their part, and on the govt's part, promise to control the rate of inflation so that the savings in cash of these baby boomers would not be eroded and thus affect the morale and determination of baby boomers to save and care for themselves in their retirement years.
- If the SG govt had earlier come clean about the problematic consequences of its population control measures and eugenics programmes, perhaps Singaporeans would have become either more understanding of 'foreign talent', or at least more competent (physically and financially etc) to cope independently during old age (inflation is an unnecessary burden to the aged).
This are just 3 of my 2c worth suggestions for now, however, the selective memory loss by DPM Teo doesn't seem to augur well for the progress of the current Singapore conversation. If honesty and sincerity cannot be ensured at least by the leading party, then I fear that the current conversation can only remain tainted by distrust and suspicion and rightly so.
For a start, lets give the DPM the benefit of the doubt that being a DPM in Singapore is a stressful affair since apparently, Singaporeans are champion grumblers. "Mr Lee: 'There must be. Singaporeans are champion grumblers.'" [TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW’S INTERVIEW WITH MARK JACOBSON FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ON 6 JULY 2009]
Nevertheless, let us all be correctly reminded about Singapore's past population policies under the PAP government. May half truths never be told.
Unless Singapore politicians can come clean and not sprout half truths at the drop of the hat, I really cannot see how Singapore can progress as one united (and loving nation), rather than a corrupted and probably, yet another failed one.
Rgds all,
B.C.
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This image has been resized.Click to view original image 
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This image has been resized.Click to view original image 
[img source]
[img source (above 3 photos)]
Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo
06 March 2013 1640 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore's ageing population issue is a one-off problem that resulted from having a very large baby boomer generation from the early 1950s to mid-60s.
He said it is necessary to make preparations for the future to ensure Singapore's seniors are able to look after themselves and are well looked after by their children and by the nation in the coming two decades.
Nominated MP Assistant Professor Eugene Tan asked Mr Teo in Parliament how the government is planning to get Singaporeans' buy-in for the Population White Paper and land use plan.
Prof Tan also asked whether the government will provide regular updates on its progress in addressing Singapore's demographic challenge.
Mr Teo responded: "We will continue to study options and engage Singaporeans on population and its related issues on multiple fronts, including through Our Singapore Conversation and other forums.
"As we continue to engage Singaporeans and work together on policies, address and overcome the specific and practical problems we face and deliver programmes to benefit Singaporeans, we hope to strengthen trust and consensus among Singaporeans on the future that we must build together. The government will continue to provide regular updates on the progress of proposals in the Population White Paper and land use plan through the release of studies, reports and announcements. We're also working towards a medium term review before 2020."
- CNA/xq
Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo - Channel NewsAsiaTags: Singapore, population control, eugenics, aging, demographics, savings, provident fund, senior, retirement
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Wot.
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frankly, what are they really good at other than talk and talk ??????
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they dont know that this incident is the main cause of the low birth rate now? worse is the probklem got real bad when suddenly our flood gates open and any aliens also can come in, their solution to the problem. only recently they then see the borth rate too low alresy and started wayang.
housing, taxes (like thos small GST ones thataffect the average singaporean), TRANSPORT, cost of living (for necessities) all rocketed sky high.
auyah do some show only but how many low midd income singaporeans really benefit?
and the whoe country floaded with aliens at alarming rate, when initailly its supose to have moderate foriegn popualtion and talent growth. now misused as popualtion replaceent!
no i not toking about those moderate japanese or westerners and other miniorities that come sg and settle dwn.
its those poor, desperate and hungry greedy pinoys, cheenas then had a nationality buy are eady to give them away temporarily to rip the profits here than go back home!
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6.9 million.
damn scary.
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frankly, i don't know why those daft singaporeans keep giving them mandate when miw as we know are useless bums.
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Originally posted by bic_cherry:
DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
"SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore's ageing population issue is a one-off problem that resulted from having a very large baby boomer generation from the early 1950s to mid-60s." [Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo; CNA, 06Mar2013] (article appended at bottom)
Even Wikipedia has a fairer report about the history of SG's population measures (including the 1969 part where eugenics was attempted), excerpted from [population control in Singapore ] as follows:Quote:My views about the issue are as follows:
- If SG govt had indeed expected the baby boomers to be a burden upon society during their aged years as opposed to a shrinking schooling generation as their progeny numbers shrunk, then the SG govt should then have saved up enough from taxes upon the baby boomer generation and saved this value in gold (/other equity value) so as to be a ready source of capital to finance in some way the retirement years of these seniors since the baby boomer workforce would have been a strong supply of labour and thus tax collections (and healthcare and education for the young a relatively less expensive concern then)- so where has the profitable taxes collected from the baby boomer generation gone?.
- If SG govt had anticipated baby boomers to have fewer offspring to care for them in their older years, then govt should have encouraged these baby boomers to save on their part, and on the govt's part, promise to control the rate of inflation so that the savings in cash of these baby boomers would not be eroded and thus affect the morale and determination of baby boomers to save and care for themselves in their retirement years.
- If the SG govt had earlier come clean about the problematic consequences of its population control measures and eugenics programmes, perhaps Singaporeans would have become either more understanding of 'foreign talent', or at least more competent (physically and financially etc) to cope independently during old age (inflation is an unnecessary burden to the aged).
This are just 3 of my 2c worth suggestions for now, however, the selective memory loss by DPM Teo doesn't seem to augur well for the progress of the current Singapore conversation. If honesty and sincerity cannot be ensured at least by the leading party, then I fear that the current conversation can only remain tainted by distrust and suspicion and rightly so.
For a start, lets give the DPM the benefit of the doubt that being a DPM in Singapore is a stressful affair since apparently, Singaporeans are champion grumblers. "Mr Lee: 'There must be. Singaporeans are champion grumblers.'" [TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW’S INTERVIEW WITH MARK JACOBSON FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ON 6 JULY 2009]
Nevertheless, let us all be correctly reminded about Singapore's past population policies under the PAP government. May half truths never be told.
Unless Singapore politicians can come clean and not sprout half truths at the drop of the hat, I really cannot see how Singapore can progress as one united (and loving nation), rather than a corrupted and probably, yet another failed one.
Rgds all,
B.C.
[img
source]
This image has been resized.Click to view
original image [img
source]
This image has been resized.Click to view
original image [img
source]
[img
source (above 3 photos)]Quote:Tags: Singapore, population control, eugenics, aging, demographics, savings, provident fund, senior, retirement
Blast from the past.
Retro.
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The current demographics problems are mainly due to the rubbish and garbage population control policies of Harry Lee Kuan Yew.
Women bore brunt of Lee Kuan Yew's draconian population policy
08 March 2013
Chee Siok Chin
Former prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew must take responsibility for the current population issues that Singapore is now facing. The current PAP Government has not acknowledged that it was Mr Lee's miscalculated policy of Stop-At-Two" that has resulted in today's population and immigration woes.
What is more tragic is how this policy had affected women in Singapore. The Stop-At-Two campaign launched in 1972 was aimed at the "less educated and lower income groups" to control Singapore's fast-increasing population then.
What is deplorable were the measures that the Government resorted to in order to discourage Singaporean families from having more than two children. It was women who bore the brunt of Mr Lee's notions and practices.
Women who had given birth to their second child were encouraged to undergo ligation, that is, to tie up fallopian tubes. Women with low-incomes and deemed lowly-educated, were offered seven days' paid leave and $10,000 in cash incentives to voluntarily undergo the procedure.
Mothers who gave birth to a third child were confronted with disincentives such as: civil servants were no longer given maternity leave; maternity hospitals charged progressively higher fees for each additional birth; income tax deductions were eliminated after the second child; third and subsequent children were given a lower priority in the choice of and admission to schools.
In 1984, the Graduate Mothers' Scheme was announced. Mothers who were university graduates were given preferential school admission to children over non-graduate mother. The Government also established a Social Development Unit (SDU) to act as matchmaker for unmarried university graduates. And Social Development Service (SDS) for non-graduates.
The decision to legalise abortion in 1970 was not born out of ethical considerations but to facilitate the Stop-At-Two policy. Singaporeans, especially women, were disempowered and silenced by these draconian practices.
Singapore has come some way from such warped practices against women even if they were not explicitly targets. Despite the patriarchal society that Singapore still is, women here will not be silent about such oppressive conventions.
Many of the problems Singaporeans are experiencing today are a result of the ill-conceived population policies of yesteryear. As a result, the SDP has creatively addressed working solutions that re-empower Singaporeans and make the country less reliant on foreign labour and able to stand on our own.
The Women Democrats has come a long way since its inception in 2001 and we continue to grow and play an integral part in our Party. We will continue to speak up and stand up for Singaporeans – women and men alike.
On this International Women's Day celebrated on 8 March every year, I would like to wish women in Singapore and all over the world empowering and meaningful lives. Happy Women's Day!
Ms Chee Siok Chin is a member of the SDP's Central Executive Committee and Head of women Democrats, SDP's women wing. -
Who can predict the future?
Who?
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