Opposition candidates disappointing
-
I was getting ready to vote for the opposition for the next coming GE. However, after looking at today's paper, I'm not so convinced that the opposition has provide a viable alternative to the PAP.
I mean, their candidates are really weak. There's a 28 year old system administrator standing for a single seat ward? I've nothing against SA and young person. I especially do not doubt his passion for the country but frankly, people need someone they can look up to for leadership and I doubt is he is credible enough.
The East Coast GRC candidates are totally disappointing... I think the opposition needs to do a few things...
1) For SDP, they need to get rid of CSJ. He's a serious liability.
2) Seek out potential members from the private and professional sector instead of waiting for someone to volunteer
For the GE, I was following on the Thailand election and I think their system is really cool... a few seats are allocated for parliment that is not contested. Citizen then get to vote for 2 things... their MP of choice and their government of choice. The winning government then gets the allocated seats for cabinet appoint. Still, I doubt if the PAP would allow such a thing.
BTW... whatever happen to the volunteer thingy that was going on earlier in this forum. Someone wanted to start a group of volunteer that would take no/little pay to servce Singapore. -
Hi there,
I am just curious, why WP's East Coast Team is "disappointing"?
We have Eric Tan, a General Manager of a foerign financial institution, Brendon Seow an executive in SIA, Yaw Shin Leong, an IT sales manager, Rahim a veteran politician and Chia Tilik, a lawyer. What so "disappointing" about them? They are really a good mix to me!
I guess one should not be overly presumptious by just looking at their paper qualifications and professions. You will have to judge for yourself at the election rallies whether they could be your representative voice in parliament or not.
Goh Meng Seng -
I am disgusted with your remarks especially it comes out from your nick as anonymouscoward. Unless you volunteer yourself whether to the PAP or the oppositions, you are not fit to comment.Originally posted by anonymouscoward:I was getting ready to vote for the opposition for the next coming GE. However, after looking at today's paper, I'm not so convinced that the opposition has provide a viable alternative to the PAP.
I mean, their candidates are really weak. There's a 28 year old system administrator standing for a single seat ward? I've nothing against SA and young person. I especially do not doubt his passion for the country but frankly, people need someone they can look up to for leadership and I doubt is he is credible enough.
The East Coast GRC candidates are totally disappointing... I think the opposition needs to do a few things...
1) For SDP, they need to get rid of CSJ. He's a serious liability.
2) Seek out potential members from the private and professional sector instead of waiting for someone to volunteer
For the GE, I was following on the Thailand election and I think their system is really cool... a few seats are allocated for parliment that is not contested. Citizen then get to vote for 2 things... their MP of choice and their government of choice. The winning government then gets the allocated seats for cabinet appoint. Still, I doubt if the PAP would allow such a thing.
BTW... whatever happen to the volunteer thingy that was going on earlier in this forum. Someone wanted to start a group of volunteer that would take no/little pay to servce Singapore.
I have great respect to those who dare and wishes to volunteer their service to Singapore. How do you qualify them as strong or weak? What can be said of all the existing MP who are elected by default. Other than their ties with the PAP, they are also a nobody. We have seen a then Minister of state who crumbled under pressure until LKY "talk" to the "temple committee". What can be said of these who will be leading Singapore in the future. -
You might want to take a look at these facts.
in 1988
opposition won 37% of votes but gets only 1 seat in parliament. (1.2%)
http://www.singapore-elections.com/ge1988/votes.html
http://www.singapore-elections.com/ge1988/seats.html
I would vote for opposition even if the canidates are not that great because even 40% vote for opposition may not yield more than 1 seat for them. So i hope my vote goes to helping the good opposition win more seats and in turn attract good people in. -
Yes we need more opposition to come in. look at MP for Hougang Low Thia Kiang he is doing very good in hougang & took care of the constituency. For him to be able to elected for every election . He must be doing better than pap really tooking care of hougang. Let welcome him & suppport for this coming election.
I,ve saw him in sls alone before very nice guys ,honest , and sincerey.
Let bring in more opposition for check & balance. -
think Hougang will fallOriginally posted by rasmond:Yes we need more opposition to come in. look at MP for Hougang Low Thia Kiang he is doing very good in hougang & took care of the constituency. For him to be able to elected for every election . He must be doing better than pap really tooking care of hougang. Let welcome him & suppport for this coming election.
I,ve saw him in sls alone before very nice guys ,honest , and sincerey.
Let bring in more opposition for check & balance. -
What make U say tat. I,m not staying hougang. Heard tat the resident there like him. He is good mp willing to help & serve the people there.
I think this yrs a lot of policy no good, e.g workfare bonus
Those disabled , older worker can,t find a jobs due to age not qualify for the bonus. These are the people who really need the money.
The garmen always say economy good , jobless rate low not true b,cos election tactic.
Went for wda jobfair plumbing specialist, they wanted 70 pple , u know how much pple came to apply 200 pple, some more this only first batch still got second batch on and on . Some more the stactistic of jobles rate not truth. If U register for unemployment after 3 months , no response from them. After 3 months never register again , MOM asume tat U a employ. so the figure they gave U is not correct.
I,ve went to this coming Jobfair, register for low end jobs rm careerlink. I saw this guys 24 yrs old , very young with a degree jobless for many months. so more have 2 yrs experience previously. -
Originally posted by anonymouscoward:
However, after looking at today's paper, I'm not so convinced that the opposition has provide a viable alternative to the PAP.
given the situation as it is and the bullying tactics of the incumbent, even if we were to wait another 50 years, i doubt the system would allow a viable PAP alternative to emerge.
so we shouldn't be voting for a viable alternative or replacement, for that is a foregone impossible conclusion, given the protectionist policies in place. instead, we should be voting for a stronger alternative voice in the parliament, to keep the incumbent in check, to avoid being held ransom each and every time and having no say whatsover in unfair policies that benefit themselves at our expense.
I mean, their candidates are really weak. There's a 28 year old system administrator standing for a single seat ward? I've nothing against SA and young person. I especially do not doubt his passion for the country but frankly, people need someone they can look up to for leadership and I doubt is he is credible enough.
given the risks of politics here and the pettiness of the incumbent, no suitable candidate would risk his / her life to fight a losing battle. so you can't expect a top scholar, especially if he is well taken care of and his future and prospects is entirely dependent on the incumbent to step forward and be counted. given that the govt, directly or indirectly controls perhaps half of the local workforce's livelihood, hardly can you find so-called 'top' quality candidates willing to put his head on the chopping board.
finally when you look at the blunders and silly policies some of these so-called 'top' quality candidates make, you can't help but wonder if the average man on the street, so attuned to the needs of the people and in touch with the realities on the ground, can't do a better job than the disenlightened philosopher, high up in his ivory cage ... -
Oh come on, don't be childish. What has my nickname got to do with my rights to comment? Does a nick like LinYu meant anything? Apparently not. Get a life and grow up! You are so blinded by your prejudice that you cannot tell if an opposition like CSJ deserves your vote or not.Originally posted by LinYu:I am disgusted with your remarks especially it comes out from your nick as anonymouscoward. Unless you volunteer yourself whether to the PAP or the oppositions, you are not fit to comment.
I have great respect to those who dare and wishes to volunteer their service to Singapore. How do you qualify them as strong or weak? What can be said of all the existing MP who are elected by default. Other than their ties with the PAP, they are also a nobody. We have seen a then Minister of state who crumbled under pressure until LKY "talk" to the "temple committee". What can be said of these who will be leading Singapore in the future.
I too, have great respect for those who dare and wishes to volunteer their service to Singapore. But it is a fact that most citizen will not know who these people are in real life. So in the end, most people WILL judge them by their professional and academic references and their age. Let's be honest, mature and face the fact about this.
Candidates from PAP are nobody? OMG, can you at least try to speak or act like you have some intelligence?
Read my other post. I'm totally for the opposition. I'm just disappointed because I don't believe most people will view them as a viable option when judging them at the surface level. I wouldn't too if not for that I've already decide to vote for the opposition regardless of the candidate's background. -
I like the demography of this team.Originally posted by goh meng seng:Hi there,
I am just curious, why WP's East Coast Team is "disappointing"?
We have Eric Tan, a General Manager of a foerign financial institution, Brendon Seow an executive in SIA, Yaw Shin Leong, an IT sales manager, Rahim a veteran politician and Chia Tilik, a lawyer. What so "disappointing" about them? They are really a good mix to me!
I guess one should not be overly presumptious by just looking at their paper qualifications and professions. You will have to judge for yourself at the election rallies whether they could be your representative voice in parliament or not.
Goh Meng Seng
Definitely closer to the middle class. We're electing people's representatives here, not having American Idol 3.
-
Candidates from the PAP, regardless of their initial motivation, are already damned to suffer the image of being in a party which needs not face the vagarities of weakened financial support and media activity.Originally posted by anonymouscoward:Oh come on, don't be childish. What has my nickname got to do with my rights to comment? Does a nick like LinYu meant anything? Apparently not. Get a life and grow up! You are so blinded by your prejudice that you cannot tell if an opposition like CSJ deserves your vote or not.
I too, have great respect for those who dare and wishes to volunteer their service to Singapore. But it is a fact that most citizen will not know who these people are in real life. So in the end, most people WILL judge them by their professional and academic references and their age. Let's be honest, mature and face the fact about this.
Candidates from PAP are nobody? OMG, can you at least try to speak or act like you have some intelligence?
Read my other post. I'm totally for the opposition. I'm just disappointed because I don't believe most people will view them as a viable option when judging them at the surface level. I wouldn't too if not for that I've already decide to vote for the opposition regardless of the candidate's background.
Enough said.
I respect the Singaporeans who joined the WP, because they show that you can be a every-man and we need more every-man in Parliament. -
Let's hope that the people living in east coast GRC will feel likewise.Originally posted by LazerLordz:I like the demography of this team.
Definitely closer to the middle class. We're electing people's representatives here, not having American Idol 3. -
If they can see further beyond the usual drivel from the local media.Originally posted by anonymouscoward:Let's hope that the people living in east coast GRC will feel likewise.
-
People will vote for the opposition for 2 reason;Originally posted by LazerLordz:If they can see further beyond the usual drivel from the local media.
1) They look at the opposition and believe without a doubt that the opposition can make their life better
2) They are so fed up with PAP that they'll vote for any opposition
The media, as usual, will try to discredit the opposition by correctly highlighting the PAP's strength and the opposition's weakness.
Like I said before, unless the people can see beyond the surface level (which I doubt they can), they will judge the opposition based on whatever limited information they read or hear.
Not every Singaporean is politically attuned. -
That's why education is the key.But yes it's hard..but this nation has to survive..Originally posted by anonymouscoward:People will vote for the opposition for 2 reason;
1) They look at the opposition and believe without a doubt that the opposition can make their life better
2) They are so fed up with PAP that they'll vote for any opposition
The media, as usual, will try to discredit the opposition by correctly highlighting the PAP's strength and the opposition's weakness.
Like I said before, unless the people can see beyond the surface level (which I doubt they can), they will judge the opposition based on whatever limited information they read or hear.
Not every Singaporean is politically attuned. -
instead of criticising or even dismissing anonymous coward's concerns, the opposition should seriously look into his concerns. if running for election is like selling a good or service, then anonymous coward is a potential customer and here we have a potential customer telling you what he wants and if you don't give him what he wants he will not patronise your stall. in fact, i tend to think that he would like to patronise your stall otherwise he wouldn't have been disappointed but if you do not satsify his basic needs, he will still walk away.
i would categorise him as belonging to the swing vote group of perhaps 20% of the voters, with 40% being outright pissed with PAP and 40% pah si will vote for PAP one. in other words, the key to winning really is to win the swing votes and that means giving what the swing voters want.
the very basic quality they're looking for is ... quality. i see some good quality candidates but they're trying to chew more than they can bite, by trying to win a GRC. if you put these good quality candidates, like the medical doctor or Gomez in a single ward, swing voters like anonymous crowd would have more confidence with opposition quality and perhaps there is a fighting chance. it is utterly futile to try and win a GRC for GRCs are helmed by heavy weights and giants, which cannot be toppled yet.
in order to win a GRC, you have to first win all the single seats, do a good job and continue to be re-elected for at least a second term. only then would singaporeans come to know who these candidates are and their confidence and trust can be gained. only when you have enough single seat veterans can you then pool these veterans together to form a credible GRC team that the people would come to trust. until then, you can forget about GRCs. -
why would you even classify the opposition candidates as disappointing? fact is that they stood up to be counted and with their own money. next, they are nor cowards riding on the coat-tails of other people. does anyone really know enough of pap candidates?
singapore needs alternative voices to represent the people. it is good for our future othewise you get apathy and left unchecked this could turn into a dictatorship. i would rather have a monkey to rattle the cages a little than just having compliant lackeys. -
Originally posted by anonymouscoward:Oh come on, don't be childish. What has my nickname got to do with my rights to comment? Does a nick like LinYu meant anything? Apparently not. Get a life and grow up! You are so blinded by your prejudice that you cannot tell if an opposition like CSJ deserves your vote or not.
I too, have great respect for those who dare and wishes to volunteer their service to Singapore. But it is a fact that most citizen will not know who these people are in real life. So in the end, most people WILL judge them by their professional and academic references and their age. Let's be honest, mature and face the fact about this.
Candidates from PAP are nobody? OMG, can you at least try to speak or act like you have some intelligence?
Read my other post. I'm totally for the opposition. I'm just disappointed because I don't believe most people will view them as a viable option when judging them at the surface level. I wouldn't too if not for that I've already decide to vote for the opposition regardless of the candidate's background.
prejudice? hmm... seems so.
name calling? uncalled for.
I do not support CSJ extreme politics. but look at how it all started. All was well till he announce his entry into opposition. he was put up to be a petty thief (taking company tape recorder), petty cheats (taxi fares, wives postage) and finally a bankrupt.
I too believe that it will take at least a few more elections before we can/hope to see a shift. unfortunately just like those papaya MPs, the oppositions can never be tested until they are elected.
As for my votes, it will have to wait for another 8 years. -
Give the opposition an opportunity to work for Singaporeans.
If after one term, you don't think they are doing a good job, then vote them out in the next elections.
The crux of it all is that at least now you KNOW.
As it is, so far most of the opposition members currently in Parliament have shown that they are doing their best for their contintuents even without the massive financial backing like those enjoyed by the MPs from the incumbent party.
Which is easier? Managing a constituency well on a small tight budget? Or one in which the MPs have the financial clout to just promise anything and everything come election time? -
I cannot but totally agree that Singapore needs alternative voices to represent the people and to keep checks and balances in place for the rogue policies our government passes. Too many a times have we seen the government fail to remember that they are elected by the people for the people. Keeping investments and keeping Singapore's economy is one thing. Doing it at the expense of the citizens is another.Originally posted by countdracula:why would you even classify the opposition candidates as disappointing? Fact is that they stood up to be counted and with their own money. Next, they are nor cowards riding on the coat-tails of other people. Does anyone really know enough of pap candidates?
Singapore needs alternative voices to represent the people. it is good for our future otherwise you get apathy and left unchecked this could turn into a dictatorship. I would rather have a monkey to rattle the cages a little than just having compliant lackeys.
That being said; standing up to be counted, volunteering and putting in your own money can be at best, valued as courage and a true passion for the good of the people. It doesn't mean anyone who volunteers has the capacity to handle the role and responsibility.
While the incumbent PAP has not done everything right, they have brought Singapore to where it is today. That's their credibility. The opposition has nothing to show except for their credentials. And their credentials, for the majority, fail to show that they have the experience or the capability to live up to the expectation.
True that we do not know much about PAP candidates but we all know that PAP will not put any Tom, Dick or Harry into the election simply because they volunteer. I believe if we were to disect any PAP candidates and pit them against the opposition, even the lesser of them would have come with substantial background and experiences to show that they can do the job better.
My suggestion to the opposition is simple. Rather wait for people to volunteer; they need to actively court potential candidates that could bring credibility to their party. Successful business, experienced managers, self-made millionaires, union leaders etcÂ…
Many would like to see more opposition in the government. But I believe majority will not want to put Singapore's future at risk simply for the sake of seeing more opposition. Studies have shown that most Singaporeans would like to see more opposition but they would still like PAP to run the show. Isn't that what the opposition resign to last election? Have they examine why so?
Put yourself in a position that you are going to war. Would you follow a ruthless commando or a logistic clerk? -
How come nowadays no one value the price of their property? No PAP means no value in your property.
-
I believe that having more alternative voices in Parliament is better for our future.How can you be certain that the PAP can rule Singapore marginally more effectively in the future?Originally posted by anonymouscoward:I cannot but totally agree that Singapore needs alternative voices to represent the people and to keep checks and balances in place for the rogue policies our government passes. Too many a times have we seen the government fail to remember that they are elected by the people for the people. Keeping investments and keeping Singapore's economy is one thing. Doing it at the expense of the citizens is another.
That being said; standing up to be counted, volunteering and putting in your own money can be at best, valued as courage and a true passion for the good of the people. It doesn't mean anyone who volunteers has the capacity to handle the role and responsibility.
While the incumbent PAP has not done everything right, they have brought Singapore to where it is today. That's their credibility. The opposition has nothing to show except for their credentials. And their credentials, for the majority, fail to show that they have the experience or the capability to live up to the expectation.
True that we do not know much about PAP candidates but we all know that PAP will not put any Tom, Dick or Harry into the election simply because they volunteer. I believe if we were to disect any PAP candidates and pit them against the opposition, even the lesser of them would have come with substantial background and experiences to show that they can do the job better.
My suggestion to the opposition is simple. Rather wait for people to volunteer; they need to actively court potential candidates that could bring credibility to their party. Successful business, experienced managers, self-made millionaires, union leaders etcÂ…
Many would like to see more opposition in the government. But I believe majority will not want to put Singapore's future at risk simply for the sake of seeing more opposition. Studies have shown that most Singaporeans would like to see more opposition but they would still like PAP to run the show. Isn't that what the opposition resign to last election? Have they examine why so?
Put yourself in a position that you are going to war. Would you follow a ruthless commando or a logistic clerk?
And yes, try not to label them Opposition.That is a tag given to them by the PAP and it's been thrown at us by the media to such an extent that most of us have this inkling that they are there to oppose or merely be fickle-minded opportunists.
We have to shed that pervasive thinking and move towards rejecting this concept that you have to be a successful millionaire or industrialist, or any of those "elite" categories to be able to represent your constituency.These every-day man in the street are not dumb chaps, and they are at the very least HR-qualified and definitely middle management.
Lech Walesa was a shipyard worker and a poet, yet he led Poland out of Communism and into the EEC through his vision, hard work and passion for the future of his nation.Shall we trust this group of Singaporeans that they are closer to the issues that affect the middle class because they live as one day in day out? -
Gurmit, where are you? We want to vote for PCK!!!!!!!
-
Hmm.. even the opposition called themselves the opposition. What would you call them otherwise?Originally posted by LazerLordz:I believe that having more alternative voices in Parliament is better for our future.How can you be certain that the PAP can rule Singapore marginally more effectively in the future?
And yes, try not to label them Opposition.That is a tag given to them by the PAP and it's been thrown at us by the media to such an extent that most of us have this inkling that they are there to oppose or merely be fickle-minded opportunists.
We have to shed that pervasive thinking and move towards rejecting this concept that you have to be a successful millionaire or industrialist, or any of those "elite" categories to be able to represent your constituency.These every-day man in the street are not dumb chaps, and they are at the very least HR-qualified and definitely middle management.
Lech Walesa was a shipyard worker and a poet, yet he led Poland out of Communism and into the EEC through his vision, hard work and passion for the future of his nation.Shall we trust this group of Singaporeans that they are closer to the issues that affect the middle class because they live as one day in day out?
Once again, the crux of the issue here is not whether our opposition candidates are actually capable or credible. Unless the citizens living in their constituency knows them personally, those who don't will have to rely on their credentials. Would you trust you constituency in the hands of a 28 year old system administrator? How does one knows if he is capable of managing people or understand the fundamentals of economical policies?
Singapore is not a 3rd world country.
Lech Walesa lead the unions for 20 years before becoming President in the 1990s. He was defeated after 5 years of service due to his abrasive style. -
I usually call them by their respective names. It is a start, in fact, most people I know agree with me that we should recognise that they are entities with names and we should not label them as one big lump "Opposition".Originally posted by anonymouscoward:Hmm.. even the opposition called themselves the opposition. What would you call them otherwise?
Once again, the crux of the issue here is not whether our opposition candidates are actually capable or credible. Unless the citizens living in their constituency knows them personally, those who don't will have to rely on their credentials. Would you trust you constituency in the hands of a 28 year old system administrator? How does one knows if he is capable of managing people or understand the fundamentals of economical policies?
Singapore is not a 3rd world country.
Lech Walesa lead the unions for 20 years before becoming President in the 1990s. He was defeated after 5 years of service due to his abrasive style.
Would you trust your constituency to be run by an unopposed MP?I don't.If he wins through a gauntlet of campaigning and outreach, it doesn't matter which party he is from.Simply put, I do not trust a party to select a candidate to represent one constituency, and there is a high chance that this chap might not even reside in the place he is supposed to represent.
No doubt, people may doubt the credentials of that SA, however, the likelihood of him being in the groove of his estate, and thus knowing what issues probably are really important, is definitely higher than a successful businessman or industrialist, who is capable of good business policies.Groundwork is more important at this stage.