Duh Speech
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PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to make country a special home
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 August 2007 1940 hrs
SINGAPORE: In his National Day Message to the nation, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on Singaporeans to work together to transform the country and make it a special home for everyone.
He said in ten years' time, it would be a new Singapore with its own unique identity and a can-do and never-say-die spirit of the Lion City.
Mr Lee also brought good news about the economy in his televised message, recorded at the top floor of the new National Library Building.
Economic growth in the first half of this year was 7.6 percent, higher than expected, and for the whole year, growth forecast has been raised to between 7 and 8 percent.
Singapore is celebrating National Day in a happy mood with four good years of growth, said PM Lee.
There are many things to cheer about – Singapore's athletes are winning medals, students are excelling in international events and the country is gearing up for new and exciting projects like the Formula One Grand Prix and the integrated resorts.
On the economic side, 111,000 jobs have been added in the first half of the year and unemployment is very low at 2.4 percent.
Mr Lee said: "Singapore is growing not just because of more investments or more workers. Our people are adapting and working smarter. We are organising ourselves more efficiently and making better use of our resources.
"In short, we have increased our productivity. Our efforts to transform the economy are paying off."
Looking ahead, Mr Lee said Singapore is poised to take off, with many projects already underway.
Among them are the integrated resorts and the banking and financial centre.
The prime minister said: "From here, I can see dozens of cranes. It's a bit hazy today, but there is buzz and excitement in the air, as our city changes before our eyes, day by day.
"Even the NDP this year is different and exciting. For the first time, the parade will be held on water at Marina Bay. It will be on the largest floating stage in the world, with the new city skyline taking shape all around us."
While Singaporeans come together to help build the nation, Mr Lee said there is a major challenge which could affect the country's social harmony and national cohesion, and that is the widening of income gaps here and all over the world.
Mr Lee said while Singapore cannot stop or reverse this global trend, it can do a lot to help Singaporeans cope with it.
He said one reason for the widening income gap here is the ageing population, so the government is making changes to help Singaporeans work longer, earn more and build up their retirement savings.
It will enhance the value of HDB homes and improve the CPF system so they can enjoy a steady income and peace of mind in their golden years.
PM Lee said: "The government cannot solve all these problems alone. Everyone must play a part. We each must take responsibility for ourselves, make the effort to do well, and provide for our families and our old age.
"At the same time, the more successful Singaporeans must pitch in to help the weaker ones. The more you have gained from society, the greater your obligation to give back something to your fellow citizens."
Mr Lee said the government would tackle these issues one by one and Singaporeans have every reason to be confident about their future.
"The global backdrop is favourable. The winds and tides are with us. Our spirit is high, and our ship is ready," he added.
Mr Lee's call to the nation is to seize the moment to sail ahead into the bright and exciting future. -
That's not being positive.. that's having your head up in the clouds.... hyping up the good stuff, ignoring the bad stuff and just hoping they'll go away. *shakes head* The way things are being handled now... I am glad I won't be living here in 10 years time.. in a place where you can earn anywhere from $1k - $8k and still be called "middle-class"...
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... frightfully COSTLY isn't it?Originally posted by spinsugar:That's not being positive.. that's having your head up in the clouds.... hyping up the good stuff, ignoring the bad stuff and just hoping they'll go away. *shakes head* The way things are being handled now... I am glad I won't be living here in 10 years time.. in a place where you can earn anywhere from $1k - $8k and still be called "middle-class"... -
Unbelievably costly. But I was referring to the way we're categorized. When $1k - $8k is middle class, the ones at the bottom end of the range will have trouble convincing people of the severity of their problems and getting assistance because, after all, even living on $8k can be considered "middle-class".Originally posted by HyperFocal:... frightfully COSTLY isn't it?
It's a cunning way to downplay the problems of those who are genuinely struggling, and a hurdle for these people who may genuinely need assistance. -
Personally, I feel that the government is NUMB from being excessively rich through their ever-increasing salaries that they dish out and maintains policies that are OUT OF TOUCH with the REALITIES of locals making a living, and living in Singapore...Originally posted by spinsugar:Unbelievably costly. But I was referring to the way we're categorized. When $1k - $8k is middle class, the ones at the bottom end of the range will have trouble convincing people of the severity of their problems and getting assistance because, after all, even living on $8k can be considered "middle-class".
Last night, I was at a friend's BBQ gathering; and she happened to talk about her son in-law's mother who is in hospital. She says that even though she has 4 sons and 4 daughters, ALL OF THEM, wait for one another when it comes to footing hospital charges/bills... none of them wanted to shoulder the financial burden as her children. Only one of them (her son in-law) bothered to take the lead and make suggestions to the rest in looking after their mother's needs and wellbeing...
This makes me wonder; DOES the government know the VARIABLE outcomes of HAVING children in Singapore?? DO they know that it DOES NOT guarantee one will be taken cared of when one's children grow up?
I say, the government is NOT in touch with the many realities locals face for the past decades they have been "in charge" as a "government"... -
Right.. sometimes I wonder if our self-proclaimed "top brass" actually know anything out of their dusty textbooks. Any variable outcome not stated in their textbook will just be tai-chi-ed back to the people. I don't fancy our people having to pay millions for seatwarmers.. millions for reading out of a textbook, now that's a sweet deal.Originally posted by HyperFocal:Personally, I feel that the government is NUMB from being excessively rich through their ever-increasing salaries that they dish out and maintains policies that are OUT OF TOUCH with the REALITIES of locals making a living, and living in Singapore...
Last night, I was at a friend's BBQ gathering; and she happened to talk about her son in-law's mother who is in hospital. She says that even though she has 4 sons and 4 daughters, ALL OF THEM, wait for one another when it comes to footing hospital charges/bills... none of them wanted to shoulder the financial burden as her children. Only one of them (her son in-law) bothered to take the lead and make suggestions to the rest in looking after their mother's needs and wellbeing...
This makes me wonder; DOES the government know the VARIABLE outcomes of HAVING children in Singapore?? DO they know that it DOES NOT guarantee one will be taken cared of when one's children grow up?
I say, the government is NOT in touch with the many realities locals face for the past decades they have been "in charge" as a "government"...
About your friend, sorry to hear abt their situation.. apparently my paternal grandma faced similar difficulty with her 8...yes 8.. children.. she wasn't even a difficult person to live with... in the end my mom took care of her right up till the end, hospital bills, maid and all.. it was only during the funeral that the unfilial bunch (sorry but they pissed me off) quietly made their final and only contributions.
Yes, my uncles n aunties did shirk their responsibilities.. but like u said the govt's not in touch with the situation on the ground, and part of the reason my grandma had such difficulty was because those families really couldn't afford to have her around as taking care of her required a dedicated 24/7 person (eg a maid). None of them wanted to bear the blame/guilt if anything happened to my grandma if she had been left alone. When you force people into a corner, their ugly side inevitably gets lured out.. and our govt's current policies do just that - by providing the bare or below minimum, they drive people into a corner.
I always smile wistfully at the irony when I come across hard-sell love-thy-country propaganda or speeches. They always say something about achieving something "together" but apparently "together" is a word with a very different meaning in the PAPpy dictionary.
Um, my last reply for now, am going to bed
Gd morning and will tune in again soon. -
111,000 new jobs created ?
How many of these new jobs were taken by FTs ?
Unemployment down to 2.4% an improvement ?
In an IMF country report for Singapore, it showed unemployment was 2.5% in 2005.
Since end-2005 till now, it has been a lapse of nearly 18 months, and the unemployment rate only saw a reduction of 0.1% - even as 111,000 jobs were created.
Are the figures being massaged for a self-congratulatory celebration ? -
I feel the way too.Originally posted by Atobe:111,000 new jobs created ?
How many of these new jobs were taken by FTs ?
Unemployment down to 2.4% an improvement ?
In an IMF country report for Singapore, it showed unemployment was 2.5% in 2005.
Since end-2005 till now, it has been a lapse of nearly 18 months, and the unemployment rate only saw a reduction of 0.1% - even as 111,000 jobs were created.
Are the figures being massaged for a self-congratulatory celebration ?
Maybe many also feel the same but somehow people bohchup attitude.
Bohchup is ok but on this issue? an issue that affects them?
Singaporeans, what are you celebrating?
Opposition, what have been done?
Please ask the obvious questions.
As glorious as the job figures have been reported, why shy of revealing the actual citizen job figures? Reveal mah, like dat the citizens can celebrate the gloriousness mah.
The relevant people, please do the needful. -
Self praise is no praise. This National Day speech is nothing more than an attempt to gloss over the cracks.
Perhaps a way to justify their raise? with hints of desperation lurking very strongly between the lines....as if there was no better way to achieve their objective than by indulging in self flattery.
A marked difference from previous National Day speeches.
Oh.....the one good thing is that....he did not say Mee Siam mai hum again which betrayed the fact that he has not eaten at a hawker centre for ages. -
... *sigh*...Originally posted by Rock^Star:Self praise is no praise. This National Day speech is nothing more than an attempt to gloss over the cracks.
Perhaps a way to justify their raise? with hints of desperation lurking very strongly between the lines....as if there was no better way to achieve their objective than by indulging in self flattery.
A marked difference from previous National Day speeches.
Oh.....the one good thing is that....he did not say Mee Siam mai hum again which betrayed the fact that he has not eaten at a hawker centre for ages.
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"Raise the value of HDB flats"
"Money to spend in their golden age"..
Why is it they repeat the same nonsense every year and yet never face the reality that such assets are only as useful as one's wishful thinking?
Not only that, the incessant harping on national cohesion keeps people very mindful of themselves and even possibly suspicious at one another as a potential troublemaker.
Have they ever even wondered about that?
And the jobs, they will always hide the important statistics. This is pure... bullocks.
And our resident idiots promised us an interesting speech.
This has got to be flat out boring. If the NDP Rally is going to be this boring, I would rather go sleep. -
Make Singapore a special home for people getting $3m/$3.1m is so easy as these people have no problems coping with the ever rising cost of living here by the good people called PAP. They don't need to worry about looking for jobs when they are past 40 yr old, no need to worry about retrenchment, no worry about FTs taking over their jobs. They have control over how much salary they want to be paid. So it is possible for them to make Singapore a special home.
PM Lee should start to talk sense base on reality.
We don't need a political painter!! Wake up Lee Hsien Loong! -
National Day Rally will never be interesting with someone like Lee Hsien Loong speaking!!!Originally posted by Fingolfin_Noldor:"Raise the value of HDB flats"
"Money to spend in their golden age"..
Why is it they repeat the same nonsense every year and yet never face the reality that such assets are only as useful as one's wishful thinking?
Not only that, the incessant harping on national cohesion keeps people very mindful of themselves and even possibly suspicious at one another as a potential troublemaker.
Have they ever even wondered about that?
And the jobs, they will always hide the important statistics. This is pure... bullocks.
And our resident idiots promised us an interesting speech. This has got to be flat out boring. If the NDP Rally is going to be this boring, I would rather go sleep.
However, I wanna see if he dares say anything about his "capability" in his position as PM to justify he pays himself so undeserved filthy high salary in his National Day Rally speech. -
It will enhance the value of HDB homes and improve the CPF system so they can enjoy a steady income and peace of mind in their golden years.
This is one of the stupidest utterations I've heard so far from our esteemed Leader. The value of HDB flat is asset wealth, which is very difficult to transmit into liquid wealth, which is what our countrymen need more. Does our PM expect the elderly to sell their flats and live on the streets on the resulting windfall? -
Personally, I feel that the government is NUMB from being excessively rich through their ever-increasing salaries that they dish out and maintains policies that are OUT OF TOUCH with the REALITIES of locals making a living, and living in Singapore...
Last night, I was at a friend's BBQ gathering; and she happened to talk about her son in-law's mother who is in hospital. She says that even though she has 4 sons and 4 daughters, ALL OF THEM, wait for one another when it comes to footing hospital charges/bills... none of them wanted to shoulder the financial burden as her children. Only one of them (her son in-law) bothered to take the lead and make suggestions to the rest in looking after their mother's needs and wellbeing...
This makes me wonder; DOES the government know the VARIABLE outcomes of HAVING children in Singapore?? DO they know that it DOES NOT guarantee one will be taken cared of when one's children grow up?
I say, the government is NOT in touch with the many realities locals face for the past decades they have been "in charge" as a "government"...
well, for the children unfilial it has nothing to do with govt la.
when my grandma goes to hospital bills, i told my aunties and uncle i will pay for it. coz they are not well educated and not earning alot. -
Instead of blaming the children, why not direct the root of the problem to the regime? There can be no social justice without social responsibility - and much as this regime would like to tout, failings like those you mention shouldn't be ascribed to what this regime conveniently labels as Asian Values.Originally posted by HyperFocal:Personally, I feel that the government is NUMB from being excessively rich through their ever-increasing salaries that they dish out and maintains policies that are OUT OF TOUCH with the REALITIES of locals making a living, and living in Singapore...
Last night, I was at a friend's BBQ gathering; and she happened to talk about her son in-law's mother who is in hospital. She says that even though she has 4 sons and 4 daughters, ALL OF THEM, wait for one another when it comes to footing hospital charges/bills... none of them wanted to shoulder the financial burden as her children. Only one of them (her son in-law) bothered to take the lead and make suggestions to the rest in looking after their mother's needs and wellbeing...
This makes me wonder; DOES the government know the VARIABLE outcomes of HAVING children in Singapore?? DO they know that it DOES NOT guarantee one will be taken cared of when one's children grow up?
I say, the government is NOT in touch with the many realities locals face for the past decades they have been "in charge" as a "government"...
After all, you wouldn't have such a problem if you were living in Sweden or the UK with a generous, free public healthcare, would you? -
Let us be frank. Everyone has their own responsibilities to their family and everyone has to be self-sufficient in this world. To close the ears and say that children are responsible for their parents as an act of filial piety is grossly outdated especially if the people in question need the money for their own kids, their own retirement etc. Everyone is for themselves. Passing the buck is in fact symptomatic of a cyclic dependency that cannot be sustainable in the long run if pay does not rise and living costs do. Poverty cycles exist in many forms and eventually something has got to give.
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Originally posted by qlqq9:
It is based on reality, actually - the corrupt tyrant's brand of reality, that is.
PM Lee should start to talk sense base on reality. We don't need a political painter!! Wake up Lee Hsien Loong! -
Something will give one day.. and it won't be nice.
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Originally posted by walesa:It is based on reality, actually - the corrupt tyrant's brand of reality, that is.
Really, I don't understand this man! He pays himself such a huge lump sum of salary, doesn't he exercise any conscience, practicality, credibility when he talks to the people of Singapore. He owes us the people of Singapore to be honest in all he says and we don't owe him anything! It is not worth it to pay a sub-standard PM such huge amount of salary.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Something will give one day.. and it won't be nice.
Seems like he is getting more and more stupid judging from the blunders he made in GErmany and at the NDP. He is pathetic, fails to earn the respect of the people of Singapore. -
dun be too sure yet....his mai ham, mai ham boo boo is made on the rally. in a week's time or so, we will know if he say `pork chop briyani' or not....Originally posted by Rock^Star:Oh.....the one good thing is that....he did not say Mee Siam mai hum again which betrayed the fact that he has not eaten at a hawker centre for ages.
and alas, we now know he intend to stay another 10 years.... -
What they don't seem to understand is that bullsh*t and "image" can only get you so far.. when u reach a point where the gap between the image conjured and the existing reality becomes too wide, it will all cave in.
I can't believe people paid millions cannot even see this. -
Personally, I have a little Gastritis..so I avoid watching, or listening to his speeches.... things that he says, aggravates my Gastritis very badly...Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:This is one of the stupidest utterations I've heard so far from our esteemed Leader. The value of HDB flat is asset wealth, which is very difficult to transmit into liquid wealth, which is what our countrymen need more. Does our PM expect the elderly to sell their flats and live on the streets on the resulting windfall?