How can we really reach out and help?

• thousandisland

  22 Jan 07, 17:09

  I read with a lot of interest (and maybe angst and injustification) of the recent topics in the Speaker's Corner. As of yet, I really feel for the poor Singaporeans in the lower/middle strata in Singapore that experienced little income growth despite Singapore registering an impressive 7% GDP growth in 06. partly because i volunteer during my free time and i have an opportunity to look at facets of Singapore many don't have a glimpse to as yet.
  
  Topics like lowering 1% corporate tax to offset the 2% raise in gst and the growing poor in SG. Sure, we can lament that policies albeit unpopular may be ridiculous and even ineffective (in our own right), that's very much we can all do. my 2c worth though.
  
  I've read some reasons as to why the poor isnt receiving the help even if they should through the Workfare scheme etc. because they don't have the proper avenues to such know-how. Sadly in our meritocratic society, we can only rely on volunteers to reach out and bridge the information gap and passionate social workers but are experiencing burnt out and job hopping to more lucrative cashfields.
  
  Perhaps, we can gather more views and suggestions from here to come up with a concrete plan to reach out to the "unreachables"? anyone from the floor?
  
  -an exasperated singaporean.
• carlsonxjd

  22 Jan 07, 17:11

  no use. ur surname not lee.
  
• thousandisland

  22 Jan 07, 17:14

  yes, cynicism again. i'll appreciate no red herrings, thanks.
• fymk

  22 Jan 07, 17:23

  Originally posted by thousandisland:

  yes, cynicism again. i'll appreciate no red herrings, thanks.

  That guy has a point. Which other country has a prime minister who is the finance minister with a wife that is a CEO of a huge government investment company?
  
  
• maurizio13

  22 Jan 07, 18:07

  Originally posted by fymk:

  That guy has a point. Which other country has a prime minister who is the finance minister with a wife that is a CEO of a huge government investment company?
  
  

  Abstract from wikipedia:
  
  Examples of cronyism can be found in a number of current and former communist states. The cultural revolution in China was initially popular due to the perception that Mao Zedong was ridding the state of a number of officials who had obtained their positions by dint of friendship with communist authorities. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has gone after a number of former communist officials who held office through their connections to party officials.
• eyebuzz

  23 Jan 07, 10:54

  "Due to globalisation, it is no longer enough for govts to tell the people to accept low wages because their lives may improve later as this simply may not happen......"- Sylvia Lim maiden parliamentary speech.