Addressing the political fear
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Originally posted by Melvin Tan:
Why don't you tell us what life as a card carrying member of an opposition party is like? Fear of the unknown can be a deterrent.
I thought I will start a new thread to discuss some comments on WP's quid pro quo, rather than hedge on topics that are discussing other parties or topics.
As someone within WP, I would say the party generally feels that [b]it will continue to be difficult to encourage people to come into the opposition fray as long as anyone who enters it cannot lead a normal life.
And as long as this remains, the opposition cannot strengthen in numbers.
Naturally, this does not mean there has to be compromises, or much compromises.
This, as much as I understand and try within my means to convey, is what I see as the WP's approach. Admittedly, this opinion may not be shared by all.
Regards[/b] -
As for me, read the things I write,
http://newsintercom.org/index.php?memberid=226
and I am using my real name....
I started www.casinogamblingprevention.com which is head on with a gahmen promoting (at least, not preventing like me) casino gambling (for whatever reasons)....
and as you can see, I am still here wat....
Silvia is still a lecturer wat... -
If one million people join the opposition, what do you think they can do about it? Nothing. If they try to target these people, there will be a tremendous backlash.
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Hi,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:Why don't you tell us what life as a card carrying member of an opposition party is like? Fear of the unknown can be a deterrent.
For me, it's almost normal
Almost because the only anomaly was that I was engrossed in political work and organising activities that I neglected my career. Hence, I am a step back from my peers, doing catching up after the last GE.
However, with proper balance of time, I believe anyone can be a political party activist.
The fear I used to have before deciding to participate in political has become fear of knowing that even to run the basic administrative aspects of an organisation already takes up the time of handful of volunteers, leaving very few or almost nobody from the rest of the volunteers to do the additional parts of whatever the people expect of a party. With a dearth of volunteers, I wonder how any opposition party can ever catch up.
What I can share in WP's case is, for every one new member who joins the party, there are about 9 things to do Preparing that "card" to make him/her a "card-carrying member" is only one.
Regards -
I mean, regarding the fears that people have, that the PxP will come down on you and sue you till you are a bankrupt...Originally posted by Melvin Tan:Hi,
For me, it's almost normal Almost because the only anomaly was that I was engrossed in political work and organising activities that I neglected my career. Hence, I am a step back from my peers, doing catching up after the last GE.
That kind of "pressure" and "persecutions" you face. -
Hi,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:I mean, regarding the fears that people have, that the PxP will come down on you and sue you till you are a bankrupt...
That kind of "pressure" and "persecutions" you face.
Seriously, none of those. This was what I was trying to express from my gibberish
It might be justified that it is because I am a small fry but in terms of "persecutions", apart from the "big fries", there are also "small fries" in that "loop" and "unscathed big fries" as well. Hence, I don't feel it is as simple as, you are a threat to PAP, you become bankrupt/exiled etc. I can show references if need be.
Note that this is not saying that I agree with PAP's harshness.
Regards -
so are you saying that in reality, people's fears are unfounded and that openly donating to political parties and even joining political parties does not result in "pressure" and "persecutions".... unless you are a really important figure like Dr Chee Soon Juan?
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what do you have to say to those that say, even though that might be true, better not take the risk?
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Hi,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:so are you saying that in reality, people's fears are unfounded and that openly donating to political parties and even joining political parties does not result in "pressure" and "persecutions"
Except for the last portion of your sentence, which I reserve comments with apologies, yes, I think people's fears are unfounded for joining political parties and donations.
There is one catch though.
If your boss was personally a PAP member and did not know how to separate work from politics, there may a problem. Truthfully, I know at least one opposition party member working under a PAP boss who was more open but it doesn't happen all the time. Another is that if you work under a more "sensitive" government sector like Foreign Affairs, it is better to openly declare your affiliations because even PAP members can be rejected from such jobs.
Regards -
Hi,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:what do you have to say to those that say, even though that might be true, better not take the risk?
I would say it, is up to the person.
No matter how I justify, there is always 1% more risk in being full-fledged in an opposition party compared to being apathetic.
Each individual has to ask themselves if they wish to forego this challenge to do something for the country and gripe frustratingly over PAP's dominance merely because of the 1% extra risk.
To me, the 1% is no issue. Rather, in my view, it is a challenge to me and everyone in it, especially the likes of Low T K and Sylvia Lim, to see if they can make a breakthrough in the political landscape and provide Singaporeans a choice.
Regards -
Originally posted by Melvin Tan:Hi,
Except for the last portion of your sentence, which I reserve comments with apologies, yes, I think people's fears are unfounded for joining political parties and donations.
There is one catch though.
If your boss was personally a PAP member and did not know how to separate work from politics, there may a problem. Truthfully, I know at least one opposition party member working under a PAP boss who was more open but it doesn't happen all the time. Another is that if you work under a more "sensitive" government sector like Foreign Affairs, it is better to openly declare your affiliations because even PAP members can be rejected from such jobs.
Regards
So when do you think we will be like in the 1st world countries where the people in power are honorable and look upon the opposition as partners to check on their own excesses instead of hiding like the PxP, as cowards in their opacity and non-accountability?Originally posted by Melvin Tan:Hi,
I would say it, is up to the person.
No matter how I justify, there is always 1% more risk in being full-fledged in an opposition party compared to being apathetic.
Each individual has to ask themselves if they wish to forego this challenge to do something for the country and gripe frustratingly over PAP's dominance merely because of the 1% extra risk.
To me, the 1% is no issue. Rather, in my view, it is a challenge to me and everyone in it, especially the likes of Low T K and Sylvia Lim, to see if they can make a breakthrough in the political landscape and provide Singaporeans a choice.
Regards -
and conducting their politics like the way TT Durai ran the old NKF?
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Hi Andrew,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:So when do you think we will be like in the 1st world countries where the people in power are honorable and look upon the opposition as partners to check on their own excesses instead of hiding like the PxP, as cowards in their opacity and non-accountability?
You sure are interactive!
When will this happen? I am afraid I can't answer that.
This will happen if there are changes in the make-up of the ruling party and the people, and to an extent opposition parties.
Why only an extent for opposition parties? It is the only component of the three that is short of people. The PAP is never short of people. Nor can be the electorate (heck, they make up the whole Singapore). Things in the opposition are still very fluid and uncertain yet is the best but most underrated platform the people can use.
I can only be inclined in focusing on what I can do my best as one small individual.
Regards -
We thank you for your effort!
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Hi,
Thank you for the online activism and we can all together do our part in different ways.
Regards -
Andrew, I like people like you. In the sense that, you are honest and you put yourself on the line as well.Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:As for me, read the things I write,
http://newsintercom.org/index.php?memberid=226
and I am using my real name....
I started www.casinogamblingprevention.com which is head on with a gahmen promoting (at least, not preventing like me) casino gambling (for whatever reasons)....
and as you can see, I am still here wat....
Silvia is still a lecturer wat...
You do what most only kpkb in their own manly mighty mind.
Give this man, Andrew, a Tiger! -
Thanks Melvin for your reply.Originally posted by Melvin Tan:Yes, a logical question, fair enough But I will need more specifics. In usual chit chat, no. For this case, I am expressing what I know of WP, and in such cases when I do, I will state so.
I think political fear does harm to an opposition party's prospects, in terms of winning seats and recruiting members. That, I strongly believe all opposition parties in Singapore agree.
I know, among other things, that those presently in-charge of running WP have the view that opposition party members have to lead normal rather than disturbed lives, not withstanding the loss of some privacy. This in turn will attract people who want to do something for the country.
This is not written in stone though and is based on the present political condition as Kramwave has put forth quite well.
Others have others way of addressing the fear. That, I will not dispute.
Regards
I hope you continue to do good for the People you are offering to represent.
All the best! -
Originally posted by Melvin Tan:
Actually if one chooses to enter politics one should not expect to lead a normal life. One should be expected to be under public scrutiny and ideally one should put public interest before self interest and be committed to serve the people. Though these are daunting challenges, if one is sincere and truly committed to the noble ideas of serving the people and making life better for them, these are worthwhile sacrifices.
As someone within WP, I would say the party generally feels that [b]it will continue to be difficult to encourage people to come into the opposition fray as long as anyone who enters it cannot lead a normal life.
And as long as this remains, the opposition cannot strengthen in numbers.
Regards[/b] -
I do not think that political party members will be open to scrutiny or expect public scrutiny. I think only those running for office will be scrutinized. If you join just to support, to show your support, nobody not even the other political party, the PxP will care.
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I think, while not everyone is cut out to be the lead actor or actress,Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:I do not think that political party members will be open to scrutiny or expect public scrutiny. I think only those running for office will be scrutinized. If you join just to support, to show your support, nobody not even the other political party, the PxP will care.
them alone will never produce any great pictures without the support from backstage crew.
everyone has a part and role to play.
once upon a time, there was a political party which wanted to change things. It succeeded to bring change by taking over.
If it had not attempted the change, it would not be here today.
Its a cycle.
who's to say who is right and who is wrong? -
Andrew has expressed what is need to be. I have expressed that not withstanding the loss of some privacy.Originally posted by pearlie27:Actually if one chooses to enter politics one should not expect to lead a normal life. One should be expected to be under public scrutiny and ideally one should put public interest before self interest and be committed to serve the people. Though these are daunting challenges, if one is sincere and truly committed to the noble ideas of serving the people and making life better for them, these are worthwhile sacrifices.
The meaning of normal life is, Singaporeans joining an opposition political party should not be leading the same lives like North Koreans or Iraqis under Saddam Hussein's days joining an opposition party unless Singapore becomes a North Korea or Iraq.
Regards -
Dear LazerLordzOriginally posted by LazerLordz:Classical divide and conquer.
So far, despite the brickbats thrown at SDP, they are still the only ones who have managed to make ministers look blanched and utterly lost in the international media.
How true. Am glad that people notice this fact.
Regards
Ti Lik