Govt getting from bad to worse...
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Is singapore really opening up and being a better society? I dunno if it is becos i'm getting older but i feel more and more at the mercy of the govt everytime they unleash something new on us..
Singapore seems to be reverting into a monarchy state, where the law is simply passed and we are expected to follow, with no avenues for us to protest. You can raise ur disapproval but at the end of the day, u wonder if the ppl high high up even hear what u say, and even if they did, simply ignore you. The govt is becoming like God, they unlease flood, droughts(eg. increase GST, bus fare) or watever on you and u go to temple(eg MPs, forums) to pray for them to stop. but they only stop if and when they feel like it, not becos u asked them to...
recently a few more ridiculous policys. Get your windows chk or u will be held responsible if they fall. Even if after chking, it falls still ur responsbility, then in the 1st place why we chk? to let the contracters earn even more $$ due to their previous shoddy work? So we should all do a poor job 1st time round so we get paid to do it again the 2nd time?
and the raising of cigarette prices(again). to discourage ppl from smoking n more imptly, to discourage young smokers. If really wan to discourage young smokers, raise the age limit by all means. Or do they mean those underage is still smoking? Is the govt not enforcing enough chks to ensure youngsters are not buying them? is that the fault of the govt then? are the rest of the smokers suppose to pay for the inefficency of the govt? If you really believe that smoking harms us and really mean well to citizens, i dare u to simply ban cigarettes, just like u did to chewing gum. But i know they won't, simply becos there is $$ to be earned. bloody hypocrites..
and after rasing cigarette prices, lower prices for alcohal.. only reason i can think of is becos sg have Tiger Beer. Does drinking not cause health problems as well? Not only heatlh problems, what abt the social problems caused? How many fights and brawls are a result of drunken behavior? many even lead to death, n yet this move by the govt is encouraging us to drink even more? for $$ again..
I know many ppl would say that it is useless to complain here in the forum, blah blah.. but what else can i do? I feel more n more helpless everyday... -
Hi Marlboro,
I'm a Salem guy, and I sympathize with you. Yes there isn't much else we can do but bitch about policies they dish out as they deem fit, and we just take them all one after another.
But hey, in life, and in this world of ours, NOTHING can ever last forever. Things can and will change. Just that, I don;t think I'd live long enough to see the change.
Anyway, I'm saving up to join our more laid back neighbour up north. Can't take this crao anymore. It'll drive me to my early grave griping about all these year in year out!
Adios, amigos. -
hey. if u've got so much to complain because the govt made smoking hard for you,
we non smokers have alot to complain also. we have to tolerate your smoke, the poison, and the possibility of our kids being influenced by u folks.
if you want to shove your "right" around, what about our right to breathe fresh air, to hv a healthy environment for our kids?
we can't force u to give up smoking, so why should u complain when the govt decides to make smoking hard for you?
so just stfu, smoke your life and money away, or quit
sheesh.. having to hear u idiots rambling and yakking like a couple of old nags having pms
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or worse to worst!!!
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Baby sgboy2004 -
Geez.. I didnt realise that a nick can actually describe someone so well, u sure is dumb and pretty much blind to facts as well.Originally posted by dumbdumb!:hey. if u've got so much to complain because the govt made smoking hard for you,
we non smokers have alot to complain also. we have to tolerate your smoke, the poison, and the possibility of our kids being influenced by u folks.
if you want to shove your "right" around, what about our right to breathe fresh air, to hv a healthy environment for our kids?
we can't force u to give up smoking, so why should u complain when the govt decides to make smoking hard for you?
so just stfu, smoke your life and money away, or quit
sheesh.. having to hear u idiots rambling and yakking like a couple of old nags having pms 
I'm not complaining JUST becos govt raises cigarette prices, its still well within my reach. I'm complaining becos they make it sound like they are so noble when in actual fact they are so hypocritical..
Read my post again(and again) if necessary to get the facts in your numb skull -
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Gov is not really listen to people. I had sent some suggestions to feed back unit to cut down jobless but reply
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I agreed with what malboro say! Singapore is becoming more like monarchy! Do u still remember the times when singapore economic was at its worse that the spore govt start to raise public transport fares ,gst and medical expenses.What kind of govt is this? They shall choose a better time to do it! Not say never but when the economic is better. If they raise it now,iI can accept it.And just like what malboro say,never listen to the citizens opinion. For the next election, I will not choose P*P!
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Do we have a choice? change and draw a few lines n u dun even get a chance to vote...Originally posted by zenden9:For the next election, I will not choose P*P! -
It is better to complain objectively then wallow in misery and self-pity. Better to voice out your concerns and disilliusions here then join in the masses of sheep out there. At least in here, you have a sense of reality.Originally posted by marlboro:Is singapore really opening up and being a better society? I dunno if it is becos i'm getting older but i feel more and more at the mercy of the govt everytime they unleash something new on us..
To put it crudely, every citizen is at the political whim of their govt. But hey, you always have a choice. Follow the sheep or emigrate elsewhere.
Singapore seems to be reverting into a monarchy state, where the law is simply passed and we are expected to follow, with no avenues for us to protest. You can raise ur disapproval but at the end of the day, u wonder if the ppl high high up even hear what u say, and even if they did, simply ignore you. The govt is becoming like God, they unlease flood, droughts(eg. increase GST, bus fare) or watever on you and u go to temple(eg MPs, forums) to pray for them to stop. but they only stop if and when they feel like it, not becos u asked them to...
Laws and bills are passed in parliment. While many of them seem high-handed (actually they are) but we as the people have the right to voice our discontent - through the forums in ST, Streats, Today and in internet pages like this. It's easy to picture our 'republic' as a monarchy and perhaps to a certain narrow degree we are, but a closer look at their policy reforms will reveal that our gahmen is trying to move in the right direction. Brazen and thick-headed as they are, they just have a poor way of implementing them, both the timing and the methods.
recently a few more ridiculous policys. Get your windows chk or u will be held responsible if they fall. Even if after chking, it falls still ur responsbility, then in the 1st place why we chk? to let the contracters earn even more $$ due to their previous shoddy work? So we should all do a poor job 1st time round so we get paid to do it again the 2nd time?
This has already been mentioned in a previous thread regarding HDB inspection checks. High-handed as it is, you dun need to pay a cent if you retain the HDB-installed windows.
and the raising of cigarette prices(again). to discourage ppl from smoking n more imptly, to discourage young smokers. If really wan to discourage young smokers, raise the age limit by all means. Or do they mean those underage is still smoking? Is the govt not enforcing enough chks to ensure youngsters are not buying them? is that the fault of the govt then? are the rest of the smokers suppose to pay for the inefficency of the govt? If you really believe that smoking harms us and really mean well to citizens, i dare u to simply ban cigarettes, just like u did to chewing gum. But i know they won't, simply becos there is $$ to be earned. bloody hypocrites..
How will raising the age limit stop ppl from smoking? Younger addicts will still ask their older kin to buy for them. Raising the prices is the only effective method to curb smoking in the shortest possible time. And since only the smokers are affected, the monetary tariffs can only be absorbed as taxes. (forget abt any govt rebates like NSS)
and after rasing cigarette prices, lower prices for alcohal.. only reason i can think of is becos sg have Tiger Beer. Does drinking not cause health problems as well? Not only heatlh problems, what abt the social problems caused? How many fights and brawls are a result of drunken behavior? many even lead to death, n yet this move by the govt is encouraging us to drink even more? for $$ again..
I would think alcohol and smoking go hand-in-hand. If the gahmen decides to take affirmative action, then raise the prices for both.
I know many ppl would say that it is useless to complain here in the forum, blah blah.. but what else can i do? I feel more n more helpless everyday... -
(To put it crudely, every citizen is at the political whim of their govt. But hey, you always have a choice. Follow the sheep or emigrate elsewhere.) I think Mr BillyBong is either naive or a govt propagator.Do u think we really have only these choices to choose! I don't like the govt, doesn't mean i don't like spore and leave just because ot these group of people(govt)!I love spore(The lasksa,char kuey teow,friends......)but not the govt.
We stay doesn't mean spore citizen have the only choice of following govt laws and rules blindly. Fellow singaporean unite and fight for our right!
(Laws and bills are passed in parliment. While many of them seem high-handed (actually they are) but we as the people have the right to voice our discontent - through the forums in ST, Streats, Today and in internet pages like this. It's easy to picture our 'republic' as a monarchy and perhaps to a certain narrow degree we are, but a closer look at their policy reforms will reveal that our gahmen is trying to move in the right direction.
Brazen and thick-headed as they are, they just have a poor way of implementing them, both the timing and the methods.)
Spore without freedom of expression is a total true fact. What BillyBong mention of the channel of expressing through forums in ST,Streats r self-deceiving.We all know these r govt control,not all letters and complaints send to will be published.Govt will decide what to show and what cannot. Do u call that a right!(except internet)Have any of our complains about those laws that have passed been heard? Wage reform,CPF reduction,GST,increase of public transport fares and.......! In the end ,it just passed accordingly to what the govt want.There shall be a balance of power between people and govt or else why r we call republic? If the power is one side,then one day a group of corrupted people make it to the parliament and control all the important positions.They will just implement anything they like
(100% taxes).Yes, our spore past record had shown good management by the govt.Doesn't meant they will always be right in the future!Just like what i mention abt the one day...! Some power needed to be given to the people to check the govt of their policy.Just like what's happening in HongKong,After the handover in 1997,the govt try to be funny and implement 23 laws to control the freedoms and rights of hongkonger.500,000 people gather and protest against them and china backed down.
(How will raising the age limit stop ppl from smoking? Younger addicts will still ask their older kin to buy for them. Raising the prices is the
only effective method to curb smoking in the shortest possible time. And since only the smokers are affected, the monetary tariffs can only be
absorbed as taxes.) (forget abt any govt rebates like NSS)
What Mr Marlboro trying to convey is the intentions of the govt! Do u think govt really concern about yr health.They r more concern about the money.
If not,as what billybong mentions(I would think alcohol and smoking go hand-in-hand. If the gahmen decides to take affirmative action,
then raise the prices for both.),then why alcohol is not affected?(becos of Tiger Beer,spore money again!) Don't be naive! Friend! -
(To put it crudely, every citizen is at the political whim of their govt. But hey, you always have a choice. Follow the sheep or emigrate elsewhere.) I think Mr BillyBong is either naive or a govt propagator.Do u think we really have only these choices to choose! I don't like the govt, doesn't mean i don't like spore and leave just because ot these group of people(govt)!I love spore(The lasksa,char kuey teow,friends......)but not the govt.
We stay doesn't mean spore citizen have the only choice of following govt laws and rules blindly. Fellow singaporean unite and fight for our right!
(Laws and bills are passed in parliment. While many of them seem high-handed (actually they are) but we as the people have the right to voice our discontent - through the forums in ST, Streats, Today and in internet pages like this. It's easy to picture our 'republic' as a monarchy and perhaps to a certain narrow degree we are, but a closer look at their policy reforms will reveal that our gahmen is trying to move in the right direction.
Brazen and thick-headed as they are, they just have a poor way of implementing them, both the timing and the methods.)
Spore without freedom of expression is a total true fact. What BillyBong mention of the channel of expressing through forums in ST,Streats r self-deceiving.We all know these r govt control,not all letters and complaints send to will be published.Govt will decide what to show and what cannot. Do u call that a right!(except internet)Have any of our complains about those laws that have passed been heard? Wage reform,CPF reduction,GST,increase of public transport fares and.......! In the end ,it just passed accordingly to what the govt want.There shall be a balance of power between people and govt or else why r we call republic? If the power is one side,then one day a group of corrupted people make it to the parliament and control all the important positions.They will just implement anything they like
(100% taxes).Yes, our spore past record had shown good management by the govt.Doesn't meant they will always be right in the future!Just like what i mention abt the one day...! Some power needed to be given to the people to check the govt of their policy.Just like what's happening in HongKong,After the handover in 1997,the govt try to be funny and implement 23 laws to control the freedoms and rights of hongkonger.500,000 people gather and protest against them and china backed down.
(How will raising the age limit stop ppl from smoking? Younger addicts will still ask their older kin to buy for them. Raising the prices is the
only effective method to curb smoking in the shortest possible time. And since only the smokers are affected, the monetary tariffs can only be
absorbed as taxes.) (forget abt any govt rebates like NSS)
What Mr Marlboro trying to convey is the intentions of the govt! Do u think govt really concern about yr health.They r more concern about the money.
If not,as what billybong mentions(I would think alcohol and smoking go hand-in-hand. If the gahmen decides to take affirmative action,
then raise the prices for both.),then why alcohol is not affected?(becos of Tiger Beer,spore money again!) Don't be naive! Friend! -
To fund all the initiatives that the govt is doing, they need money. Yes, and it is true that the world moves on money. Yes, perhaps the Govt is high-handed, but the pain has to come from somewhere, and nothing wrong from pinning it on non-essential items - like smoking and gambling. Otherwise, how are we going to subsidise education, healthcare, etc.
I think sometimes we miss the big picture, when we think democracy is good and fighting for our rights by walking the streets like the Hong Kongers or Taiwanese... do a few of that, create some havoc, you may not achieve much, but you will create a sense of insecurity with the MNDs and then.... you will regret when they cease to come and many start to leave, then we can really kiss our economy good bye and start living like a fishing village some hundred years back.
Think about that when you complain about price hikes on cigarettes.... -
I wonder how many people out there actual watch the show Zuo Xiang Gong He every Friday night on channel 8.
Last episode shows Dr Sun Yat Sen trying to explain to the people what is the meaning of the Republic after their many years being rules by the Manchus. From there I know more about what a real Republic should be like.
Firstly, the government is being chosen by the people. For a large number of people, lets say 80,000, one senate will be chosen by their votes. This senate is suppose to represent this 80,000 people and he will attend parliament to make decisions for the country. Of course this is the basic concept of being a Republic.
However in Singapore, I really wonder are we really in a Republic system anymore. I don't even know who have I chosen to represent me in the parliament. As for most other areas here, I don't even have the chance to vote. I think a PAP walkover in the area just because there is no opposition in it is not fair.
I feel that even though there is no opposition party in the area, it is still compulsory for us to vote. To vote whether to accept this person to represent us or not. In other words, in areas where there is a walkover, the people there still vote, but on whether should we accept this. We still have a choice to deem that person suitability to represent us. If it is a walkover and the people had chosen him not to be representing them, that area will be given, maybe a month to prepare for another round of voting, where other people can get to have a chance to join in the election. If this method proves to be too troublesome, then let it be that nobody shall represent this 80,000 people. There will be one lesser senate to the parliament.
Secondly, why is there a need to put down a huge cash deposit before voting ? I thought it is for us people to choose who to represent us, why should any cash be involved ? Does it mean we cannot choose a poor people to represent us thoug we want to or does it imply if one is poor, one cannot be a senate ? I think that goes against the initial idea of being Republic.
I think we should drop the name Republic for Singapore to portray our political situation more accurately. -
When Singapore 'was' independent in 1965, the Ruling Party put Singapore amongst the luminous company of West European Countries with like minded Governments that believe in Socialism and Democracy.
The Socialist-Democrat offered a new form of political system that offer social welfare empahsis of the Communist system, in a Democratic Political System that is totally different from Communism.
Unfortunately, the heavy handed manner of the Ruling Party earned Singapore the reputation of being kicked out from the august club of Socialist-Democrats by the Europeans.
To prevent such a loss of face, the Ruling Party pre-empted the move, and instead resigned early enough not to attend the process of being kicked out.
Even the European Socialist-Democrats had believed that Singapore was as Socialists as the Communists, and nothing resembling close to being Democrats.
Are we even a 'Republic', after abandoning the vainity of trying to be an imitation of being similar to European Socialist-Democrats ? -
Gov can't even take care 3 millions people.
The jobless rate still very high at 4.5%. If the PSD fully implement (including Polytechnics) the golden handsharking, I believe the jobloss rate will go down to 2%.
The PSD has started the golden hanshaking but only PA and IRA have carried out.
PSD should implement properly by asking all the stud boards & Polytechnics to response. -
Sorry I am not very sure about the exact economics term anymore but isn't 5% the normal unemployment rate ?
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2 % is normal. Of course 0% is perfect
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Well I don't know about that, being a peasant. But I know this. No matter how noble a person can say he/she wants to be, when he/she finally gets what he wants, when he/she becomes God, they wont want to give it up, they reach a point where their previous noble ambitions and aims don't freaken matter anymore.Originally posted by Atobe:When Singapore 'was' independent in 1965, the Ruling Party put Singapore amongst the luminous company of West European Countries with like minded Governments that believe in Socialism and Democracy.
The Socialist-Democrat offered a new form of political system that offer social welfare empahsis of the Communist system, in a Democratic Political System that is totally different from Communism.
Unfortunately, the heavy handed manner of the Ruling Party earned Singapore the reputation of being kicked out from the august club of Socialist-Democrats by the Europeans.
To prevent such a loss of face, the Ruling Party pre-empted the move, and instead resigned early enough not to attend the process of being kicked out.
Even the European Socialist-Democrats had believed that Singapore was as Socialists as the Communists, and nothing resembling close to being Democrats.
Are we even a 'Republic', after abandoning the vainity of trying to be an imitation of being similar to European Socialist-Democrats ?
Example: I was a "chao" ncc recruit, i did not agree with corporal punishment, and the way things were done, as i rose through the ranks as a grunt, i still wanted things to change and stuff. But when I finally got my stripes as an NCO, i didn;t care anymore, I screwed those under me just like I had been screwed. I believe it is so with the "gahmen". It is basic human nature, live with it, survive it and leave to go where the pastures are more green. -
Well I don't know about that, being a peasant. But I know this. No matter how noble a person can say he/she wants to be, when he/she finally gets what he wants, when he/she becomes God, they wont want to give it up, they reach a point where their previous noble ambitions and aims don't freaken matter anymore.Originally posted by Atobe:When Singapore 'was' independent in 1965, the Ruling Party put Singapore amongst the luminous company of West European Countries with like minded Governments that believe in Socialism and Democracy.
The Socialist-Democrat offered a new form of political system that offer social welfare empahsis of the Communist system, in a Democratic Political System that is totally different from Communism.
Unfortunately, the heavy handed manner of the Ruling Party earned Singapore the reputation of being kicked out from the august club of Socialist-Democrats by the Europeans.
To prevent such a loss of face, the Ruling Party pre-empted the move, and instead resigned early enough not to attend the process of being kicked out.
Even the European Socialist-Democrats had believed that Singapore was as Socialists as the Communists, and nothing resembling close to being Democrats.
Are we even a 'Republic', after abandoning the vainity of trying to be an imitation of being similar to European Socialist-Democrats ?
Example: I was a "chao" ncc recruit, i did not agree with corporal punishment, and the way things were done, as i rose through the ranks as a grunt, i still wanted things to change and stuff. But when I finally got my stripes as an NCO, i didn;t care anymore, I screwed those under me just like I had been screwed. I believe it is so with the "gahmen". It is basic human nature, live with it, survive it and leave to go where the pastures are more green. -
Witth GREAT POWER comes GREAT RESPONSIBILITY...Originally posted by men_@_arms:Well I don't know about that, being a peasant. But I know this. No matter how noble a person can say he/she wants to be, when he/she finally gets what he wants, when he/she becomes God, they wont want to give it up, they reach a point where their previous noble ambitions and aims don't freaken matter anymore.
Example: I was a "chao" ncc recruit, i did not agree with corporal punishment, and the way things were done, as i rose through the ranks as a grunt, i still wanted things to change and stuff. But when I finally got my stripes as an NCO, i didn;t care anymore, I screwed those under me just like I had been screwed. I believe it is so with the "gahmen". It is basic human nature, live with it, survive it and leave to go where the pastures are more green. -
are we back to following ourbasal instinct of dominance? what happened to over 500000 years of biological and social evolution?Originally posted by men_@_arms:Well I don't know about that, being a peasant. But I know this. No matter how noble a person can say he/she wants to be, when he/she finally gets what he wants, when he/she becomes God, they wont want to give it up, they reach a point where their previous noble ambitions and aims don't freaken matter anymore.
Example: I was a "chao" ncc recruit, i did not agree with corporal punishment, and the way things were done, as i rose through the ranks as a grunt, i still wanted things to change and stuff. But when I finally got my stripes as an NCO, i didn;t care anymore, I screwed those under me just like I had been screwed. I believe it is so with the "gahmen". It is basic human nature, live with it, survive it and leave to go where the pastures are more green.
gosh, its commanders like you who end up with incidents like that involving the drowned OCS recruit last year. pple who think "be tough at all costs". repent. reflect. it is Lent. (oh, i forgot. u might not be Christian. if youa re, then it is even more shameful of you to adopt such an attitude.)
the disgusted pikamaster -
i agree spore govt is getting bad from worse.
minister that feel they are high up there and no sympathy for ppl at the lower levels/ income. look at transportation issuse. first they talk about 2 separate company operating 2 differnt lines. years later talk abnt merging to save cost.
HDB riveting issue. where is the HDB talking feeling of ordinary citizen into accounts? why we have to pay for HDB mistake. safety requirement need to follow blindly by HDB, that why they have architure to make decision. meaning architect should resign for this mistake.
then we talk abt baby controls. late 70s and early 80s we see poster of 2 kids enough. years later and now, govt say 4 also welcome. no vision on govt? why the helicopter view which we option hear SM ... say our leader possesses. suddenly no more helicopter view? are we singaporean birth machine? than talk about maternity benefits. not long before govt cut our CPF, flexible wage system, reduce company tax to save our jobs, make company stay in spore. but today we hear Mr. Lim.hk talk about up to 6 mths maternity leave. although details to be specifiy after national day. but are we putting woman in spore more unemployable?? higher cost to employ?? who would still emply woman in spore besides civil service and MNC which can afford such luxury benefits. govt also compare japan, holland maternity benefits as a guidelines. i like to ask 1 question. how successfully is the benefits in these country? only slowing ageing? fundamental to our low birth rate is living condition in spore. not conducive for a middle lower income to lower income to have more baby. barely enuff to meet daily needs to how support more mouth?
how abt high income? These benefits offer by govt become non attractive to them. -
[bI think Mr BillyBong is either naive or a govt propagator.Do u think we really have only these choices to choose! I don't like the govt, doesn't mean i don't like spore and leave just because ot these group of people(govt)!I love spore(The lasksa,char kuey teow,friends......)but not the govt.
We stay doesn't mean spore citizen have the only choice of following govt laws and rules blindly. Fellow singaporean unite and fight for our right![/b]
Naiveity depends on your understanding of the overall picture. It is simplistic to make outrageous claims and call the response mute when you dun like the answer. Short of the whole population, i can safely say that most ppl want changes but unless there's a radical reform in the political stage, there's little the masses can do accept continue to write and express their various dissatisfactions.
And before you go mouthing about forum-users as "govt propagator" (actually it should be govt propaganda), read more topics in this forum; you might realise most ppl are just looking for a qualitative, objective argument. And many do not agree with our gahmen's policies either.
Spore without freedom of expression is a total true fact. What BillyBong mention of the channel of expressing through forums in ST,Streats r self-deceiving.We all know these r govt control,not all letters and complaints send to will be published.Govt will decide what to show and what cannot. Do u call that a right!(except internet)Have any of our complains about those laws that have passed been heard? Wage reform,CPF reduction,GST,increase of public transport fares and.......! In the end ,it just passed accordingly to what the govt want.There shall be a balance of power between people and govt or else why r we call republic? If the power is one side,then one day a group of corrupted people make it to the parliament and control all the important positions.They will just implement anything they like
(100% taxes).Yes, our spore past record had shown good management by the govt.Doesn't meant they will always be right in the future!Just like what i mention abt the one day...! Some power needed to be given to the people to check the govt of their policy.Just like what's happening in HongKong,After the handover in 1997,the govt try to be funny and implement 23 laws to control the freedoms and rights of hongkonger.500,000 people gather and protest against them and china backed down.
How can serving notice to the masses through forum pages be termed as 'self-deceiving'? It is the passing of information or criticism that keeps ppl in check. Knowledge that there are certain elements within our society who abuse power or unscrupulously use them for their own ends is hardly rubbish. It sometimes takes such letters and voices to be heard b4 our leaders sit up and take notice. Yes it might seem relatively futile but at least others know, and isolated incidents will receive more publicity...especially those our leaders wish to sweep under the carpet. (like our SM's recent usage of SIA)
What Mr Marlboro trying to convey is the intentions of the govt! Do u think govt really concern about yr health.They r more concern about the money.
If not,as what billybong mentions
It is obviously transparent to all except those who wear blinds that taxation of cigarettes is two-fold:
1. to fatten the buldge of the govt
2. to reduce the number of smokers in singapore.
How you determine which one holds greater value is purely subjective. -
Gov like to control people. This means we have to look at Gov's face for anything including family matter (eg oral sex etc).
Does the Gov has the right to control adult for everything ?
The Gov should change their mindset quickly and focus on crime and youngsters.