Singapore is actually a pretty good place to be live
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Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see an active community posting their thoughts and opinions so candidly! Who said freedom of speech is dead in Singapore?
Just though I'd post some thoughts that have been burning in my mind the past few years.
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred and I'm damn proud of Singapore. Politically, I am happy with the way the government has tried to raise the quality of life for its citizens and create a sustainable economy. Is it a perfect government? Definitely not! Has it made mistakes? Of course! Can it go easier on the opposition? Maybe.
But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
One only has to look at Taiwan and maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political climate?
Why not focus on the good the government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the majority of country having themselves and their offspring alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand the enormity of that accomplishment?
Why not focus on the bigger picture when there is a policy you disagree with? ERP went up? Yes, but road tax went down. So the government does not charge you for ownership, but for usage instead. Sounds wise for a country with small land size and increasing car ownership.
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. : )
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At a time when the incumbent party's popularity is at an all time low, you got to expect these kind of posts coming out of nowhere.
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problem is between keyboard and chair, right?
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Who says nobody monitors sgforums?
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But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
I hardly think I'm Confucian in my beliefs and practices. The new generation of Singaporeans who are more westernized are coming up. Time for a change don't you think? After all, why should a generation of westernizd Singaporeans be governed by Confucian standards that obviously do not reflect the will of the people?
The problem here is not with the politics but rather the quality of the future leaders. Both the governing party and opposition party MUST have a high calibre of leadership (brain power) in order for a future multi-party legislature to exist effectively.
Current standards opposition members are just too low to risk anything other than token opposition to policies. Opposition needs to show that they have people who can think far ahead in good rationality for Singapore especially in crafting economic policies. That needs to change before we can see any changes in the political climate.
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Originally posted by charlize:
At a time when the incumbent party's popularity is at an all time low, you got to expect these kind of posts coming out of nowhere.
how do you check the popularity level?
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Originally posted by charlize:
Who says nobody monitors sgforums?
lets just be thankful, understand its a honest mistake and move on
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ts from pap?
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Originally posted by Joachimchen:
Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see an active community posting their thoughts and opinions so candidly! Who said freedom of speech is dead in Singapore?
Just though I'd post some thoughts that have been burning in my mind the past few years.
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred and I'm damn proud of Singapore. Politically, I am happy with the way the government has tried to raise the quality of life for its citizens and create a sustainable economy. Is it a perfect government? Definitely not! Has it made mistakes? Of course! Can it go easier on the opposition? Maybe.
But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
One only has to look at Taiwan and maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political climate?
Why not focus on the good the government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the majority of country having themselves and their offspring alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand the enormity of that accomplishment?
Why not focus on the bigger picture when there is a policy you disagree with? ERP went up? Yes, but road tax went down. So the government does not charge you for ownership, but for usage instead. Sounds wise for a country with small land size and increasing car ownership.
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. : )
...and so? You want it to collapsed into a pile of sh!t before Singaporeans/Singapore solves her problems? You want the people to ignore the fact that there are dishonorable despots, greedy for public money for their own pockets destroy the country before you solve the problems?
..and I wouldn't call a place with so much stress (generated by the dishonorable despots) "actually a pretty good place to be live"
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Originally posted by Joachimchen:
But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
One only has to look at Taiwan and maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political climate?
Why not focus on the good the government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the majority of country having themselves and their offspring alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand the enormity of that accomplishment?
Why not focus on the bigger picture when there is a policy you disagree with? ERP went up? Yes, but road tax went down. So the government does not charge you for ownership, but for usage instead. Sounds wise for a country with small land size and increasing car ownership.
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. : )
Assuming you're an ethnic Chinese who susbcribes to Confucian values, you have no business to believe in a democracy, is there? After all, did your ancestors not live in a monarchy for more than two millenia?
So what's a "non-westernised concept of democracy" besides a smokescreen utilised by despots and tyrants to mask their authoritarian regimes? For starters, is democracy actually a western or universal concept (regardless of its history of origin)?
Taking this regime's argument further, where should the "non-western" standards stop? Should we extend these standards further such that it would justify preaching a brand of "non-western" human rights and press freedom to fit in with "Confucian values"?
I'm sure Hitler must have done wonders to convince you on the merits of your argument through the preaching of his brand of tyranny. After all, was he not responsible for transforming an economy in shambles into one with the world's second largest industrial output in the span of just 7 years?
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confucianism also believe in this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_slicing
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Originally posted by walesa:
Assuming you're an ethnic Chinese who susbcribes to Confucian values, you have no business to believe in a democracy, is there? After all, did your ancestors not live in a monarchy for more than two millenia?
So what's a "non-westernised concept of democracy" besides a smokescreen utilised by despots and tyrants to mask their authoritarian regimes? For starters, is democracy actually a western or universal concept (regardless of its history of origin)?
Taking this regime's argument further, where should the "non-western" standards stop? Should we extend these standards further such that it would justify preaching a brand of "non-western" human rights and press freedom to fit in with "Confucian values"?
I'm sure Hitler must have done wonders to convince you on the merits of your argument through the preaching of his brand of tyranny. After all, was he not responsible for transforming an economy in shambles into one with the world's second largest industrial output in the span of just 7 years?
Is Communism a western or confusionist concept? Why is the motherland of confusionism practicing the western concept of communism while the dishonorable despots want Singaporeans to practise confusionism?
Self interest to enable them to grab as much public money as possible perhaps?
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somewhere, andyboy is living in a gulag probably in Tanglin Halt or something, being flayed daily but has internet access to vent his spleen at the evil Singaporeans who torture him and his god CSJ
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Originally posted by skythewood:
how do you check the popularity level?
You must be out of touch with the ground.
Don't tell me people are thankful that MS escaped.
Don't tell me people are thankful TCs lost only a few million of people's money.
Don't tell me people are thankful for ERP increases.
Don't tell me people are thankful for electricity hikes.
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Originally posted by Joachimchen:
Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see an active community posting their thoughts and opinions so candidly! Who said freedom of speech is dead in Singapore?
Just though I'd post some thoughts that have been burning in my mind the past few years.
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred and I'm damn proud of Singapore. Politically, I am happy with the way the government has tried to raise the quality of life for its citizens and create a sustainable economy. Is it a perfect government? Definitely not! Has it made mistakes? Of course! Can it go easier on the opposition? Maybe.
But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
One only has to look at Taiwan and maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political climate?
Why not focus on the good the government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the majority of country having themselves and their offspring alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand the enormity of that accomplishment?
Why not focus on the bigger picture when there is a policy you disagree with? ERP went up? Yes, but road tax went down. So the government does not charge you for ownership, but for usage instead. Sounds wise for a country with small land size and increasing car ownership.
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. : )
What is your age; are you working or still dependent of your parents?
Focusing on the good of the government will not solve the problems at hand.
I recommend you to watch TV programmes like Life Transformers host by Christopher Lee and Quan Yifeng.
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i like the way the TS said abt our confucian society.
Put it this way. In the Bible, Moses lead the Hebrews in the desert for 40 years for God to chastise them.
PAP leads Sillypore for 43 years to CONFUSE them. Yeah Confucian, Confusion huh.....
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Originally posted by Joachimchen:
Hey all
I'm new to SG forums! Great to see an active community posting their thoughts and opinions so candidly! Who said freedom of speech is dead in Singapore?
Just though I'd post some thoughts that have been burning in my mind the past few years.
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred and I'm damn proud of Singapore. Politically, I am happy with the way the government has tried to raise the quality of life for its citizens and create a sustainable economy. Is it a perfect government? Definitely not! Has it made mistakes? Of course! Can it go easier on the opposition? Maybe.
But I'd question the views of some who would like Singapore to be a democracy more like the US and similar western countries. Does a Confucian culture like ours really suit a western style democracy?
One only has to look at Taiwan and maybe the Philippines to see that a western democracy may not work in Singapore. Can a small country and resource-less country like S'pore really prosper without the ability to plan ahead due to ever changing governments? Can it attract FDI with a unstable political climate?
Why not focus on the good the government has done for Singapore? We have transformed ourselves from a third world nation to a first in a lifetime. With the majority of country having themselves and their offspring alleviated in their quality of life. Do we actually understand the enormity of that accomplishment?
Why not focus on the bigger picture when there is a policy you disagree with? ERP went up? Yes, but road tax went down. So the government does not charge you for ownership, but for usage instead. Sounds wise for a country with small land size and increasing car ownership.
Whew! I do think Singaporeans do sometimes forget how blessed we are to have a government that tries its best. I look forward to hearing your replies.
NB: the author does not work in the civil service and is not propogating a biased view of the Singapore government. He just really is proud of Singapore. : )
A Johnny Kong teaching – whatever you don’t want for yourself, you shouldn't do it to others
Seems that you are not the average Singaporean and living in your own circle.
Hope that you can do some social works and join some groups to see for yourself the state of livelihood here.
Life is not about having a car and ERP, the quality of life has deteriorate too fast and too much.
What reasons do you think of the low sperm counts and not producing more children? Is our man too weak to do the job or our woman too lazy or incapable of conceiving?
Its not the western democracy system that is governing us, it’s the people that is governing the system that govern us.
If Johnny Kong were alive today, his last breath would be “I am confuse”
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this place sucks.
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Sucks harder then. It will more difficult in the future.
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Wow!
So many responses in less than a 12 hours, many disagreements to a few personal attacks. Geez, you guys really have alot of resentment.
Let's try to tackle the responses one at a time.
My previous post is not a joke nor am I making a mistake- I am serious and clear headed when I say I am proud of Singapore.
Not too sure of the government's popularity currently, but if votes are anything to go by, the majority of Singaporeans are at the very least confident that the current administration can deliver a better Singapore.
When I say Confucian, I refer generally more to the culture values that the majority of Chinese Singaporeans (which make up almost 76% of the local population) hold to. As you will know, though there are more and more western minded people in Singapore, the majority of heartlanders do still adhere more to Confucian values like community mindedness, respect for elders etc.
I'm not working for the government nor am I am monitoring the forum for them, trust me, they have smarter people than me analysing the forums and are aware of the anti-establisment sentiments here.
Rude of me to not have intro myself further. I'm
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Originally posted by charlize:
You must be out of touch with the ground.
Don't tell me people are thankful that MS escaped.
Don't tell me people are thankful TCs lost only a few million of people's money.
Don't tell me people are thankful for ERP increases.
Don't tell me people are thankful for electricity hikes.
the guy says "all time low".
last i check, all time is a very long time....
so how would you know if this is really the all time low, or just one of the very low?
don't tell me that implementation of stop at 2, introduce CPF(1st time), destroy one of the university, time of racial riots, 3/4 tank rule all this stuff the people are all very very thankful?
you must be out of touch.
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TS, let me guess.
You are still in school, never done NS yet, still staying with your parents?
Just want to have a rough profile of you.
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Originally posted by skythewood:
the guy says "all time low".
last i check, all time is a very long time....
so how would you know if this is really the all time low, or just one of the very low?
don't tell me that implementation of stop at 2, introduce CPF(1st time), destroy one of the university, time of racial riots, 3/4 tank rule all this stuff the people are all very very thankful?
you must be out of touch.
Whatever you say.
Whatever you say.
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Originally posted by Joachimchen:
Wow!
So many responses in less than a 12 hours, many disagreements to a few personal attacks. Geez, you guys really have alot of resentment.
Let's try to tackle the responses one at a time.
My previous post is not a joke nor am I making a mistake- I am serious and clear headed when I say I am proud of Singapore.
Not too sure of the government's popularity currently, but if votes are anything to go by, the majority of Singaporeans are at the very least confident that the current administration can deliver a better Singapore.
When I say Confucian, I refer generally more to the culture values that the majority of Chinese Singaporeans (which make up almost 76% of the local population) hold to. As you will know, though there are more and more western minded people in Singapore, the majority of heartlanders do still adhere more to Confucian values like community mindedness, respect for elders etc.
I'm not working for the government nor am I am monitoring the forum for them, trust me, they have smarter people than me analysing the forums and are aware of the anti-establisment sentiments here.
Rude of me to not have intro myself further. I'm....
....a clone.Welcome clone.
