Feb 18th, 2008
Greedy Singaporeans
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I just heard over radio today that some Singaporeans are grumbling that the government is giving out only $1.8 billion dollars back to Singaporeans, considering that the budget surplus was $6.4 billion last year.
Sometimes, my fellow countrymen just annoy the life out of me. Give them money, they complain it’s too little. However, if they are not given money, they complain that the government is squeezing them dry. *shakes head*
Overall, I don’t think there’s much to complain about the budget in 2008. The Singapore government has shown that good times, the government will share some surplus with Singaporeans. I’m sure the skeptics will have something to say but I think that Singaporeans should be fair to the government and give them credit for this Growth Dividend.
While the distribution of some surplus back to ordinary folks is a good thing in principle, I believe more can be done in reality when times are good. I’m not as greedy as some of my countrymen. All I ask for is that employer CPF rates be further increased. I’m sure that this can be done since the economy is doing well. I can accept that we need to cut employer CPF contribution rates to keep business costs down to save jobs when times are bad. However, this should be matched with a corresponding restoration when times are good.
If we can react quickly to cut CPF contribution rates to save jobs when times are bad, I sure we can react with the same speed when times are good. If the government wants to pursue the principle of sharing growth with Singaporeans, I think there’s more that can be done other than a one-time handout.
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that is also another reason why I would leave Singapore - when I read posts like this. Govt screwed us with 2% GST rise, got completely off track on Budget revenue, gave themselves high salaries, screwed the poor with a regressive GST tax and you are congratulating the Govt for being *fair* ? Sure they are fair - while 20 percent discount of tax will benefit the middle class (read poor - no tax means no benefit of $2000 cap) the poorer people will continue to pay the 2% GST tax FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. Why not use the 34 bil reserves to do something for the poor instead of raising the GST? Instead of punting on sub prime hit banks? Government is fair. Yeah sure, if you read the States Times long enough…… In the meantime we all wait for the CPF to be released to us at 67 years old, while they are punting on banks shares…..
tc,
I think you are not being objective here. It is a fair budget what. Everyone, from the poor to the rich, benefited from the budget. Is it only fair that the poor gets all the benefits and everyone else doesn’t? Is it fair that you only pick examples that support your worldview to condemn others? I don’t mean to be rude but I think you have a very warped sense of fairness. To me, fairness means to give both credit and criticisms when due, which is clearly not your idea of fairness.
If you want to talk about how more can be done to help the less well-off, that’s another topic and we can certainly have a good discussion about that. However, helping the poor has nothing to do with the fairness of the budget. And, if there’s yet another reason why I want to leave Singapore, your comment certainly ranks as a good one.
cool - let’s go
Aaron,
Reading your latest blog I am beginning to be convinced that you are suffering from Stockholm syndrome. Here you have essentially a government operating on a gangster mode, and when it gives you crumbs you become grateful. Wow, no wonder the PAP can get away with, well, murder!
Mind you, and in case you have not read, what is presented is a BUDGET not actual spending. A BUDGET in case you don’t understand is what the government may be spending not what they have actually spent.
Knowing how this government works, I would not be surprised to that the conditions for anyone wanting the money will be so bureaucratic hurdle that come the next budget, hey presto, another surplus occur. As ever, the rich will benefit because they would most benefit because this group will be most able to overcome the hurdle. The poor will probably miss out because they have not been able to overcome the hurdle. A case in point is an Ah Ma living in poverty near my old family home in Singapore. She had no CPF, unable to read, so miss out on all goodies.
Also, if you read carefully some of the “goodies” are actually going into some kind of endowment funds, not necessarily to your pocket directly.
Of course, by actually, hyping up the budget (plan to spend) rather than actual spending, it makes the government looks good!
Now coming back to the Stockholm syndrome. Let me ask you this question using a hypothetical example: A blackmailer kidnaps you, then discover that you have cancer, kidnaps a doctor to cure you, but the only reason they want to cure you is that they get more money you alive than dead even after taking away the “cost” of the cure. After the blackmailer get his/her money, kills you to stop testifying in court. Should you be grateful to the blackmailer for curing your cancer? Should the kidnap doctor also be grateful for allowing him/her practice her profession by curing you?
After all everyone benefits!
Ah Kow,
I don’t see what is wrong with giving credit when it’s due. Am I saying that because of this extra few hundred dollars I am eternally grateful to the PAP and will sell my soul to them? No. Unfortunately, this is how you choose to interpret my words.
I have stated clearly that if there’s an issue about poor folks who need more help, then let’s discuss about the issue and what can be done to help them. However, my issue is whether the budget has been fair across the board, and I think that it’s fair in the sense that everyone got something. Of course, that I think the budget is fair does not necessary mean that more cannot be done for the lower income group. They are apples and oranges.
Since you assume that I am now eternally grateful to the government for that few hundred dollars, of course your Stockholm syndrome applies. You’ve constructed your argument on a certain premise which will always hold true as long as that premise is assumed. To that, I don’t have a response. You are entitled to your assumptions, of course.
But I do have a question for you. How much should the government give to all Singaporeans such that it’s enough? Empty the country’s coffers? Empty half? One-quarter?
tc,
Sure. When and where? Let’s see who gets out first!
Aaron the fact that YOU PERSONALLY wish to give “credit” where it is due is very much your own prerogative. That is not the point I wish to debate with you about. But if you recall in your blog, this is what you wrote:
“Sometimes, my fellow countrymen just annoy the life out of me. Give them money, they complain it’s too little. However, if they are not given money, they complain that the government is squeezing them dry. *shakes head*”
Quite clearly you have written this to somehow be say that “complaining”, in your words, Singaporean, such as myself as ungrateful lot don’t know how to wakeup and smell the coffee, is a tad condescending don’t you think?
Fair enough that you as a human being may make such sweeping statement about the intention of your other Singaporeans, for want of word, lack of gratitude, as to the questions the lack of objectivity, as in the case, when you accuse TC of lacking. It seemed like a case of the POT calling the Kettle black, doesn’t it?
Hey where is your objectivity in analysing what those complains to determine if they are valid or otherwise? In any case, who are you to be scornful of your fellow Singaporean?
Again if it is a case of emotional outburst on your part, then say so. But don’t hide behind so call being able to “objectively” view the world and casting scorns, not that it is wrong of you to do so, but not expect a robust attempt at debunking your claims.
Ah Kow,
Once again, you choose to interpret things in a way that suits your agenda. I am not saying that Singaporeans are ingrates. I’m just noting the paradox and I don’t understand why Singaporeans like to engage in this paradox. It’s all very confusing to me.
I think I know where the problem lies. You are taking things personal. In your comment, you wrote “… in your words, Singaporean, such as myself as ungrateful lot don’t know how to wakeup and smell the coffee…” Writing an observation about a paradox that I don’t understand doesn’t presume anything about their intentions. If you understand Chinese, your accusation against me is a classic example of shuo1 zhe3 wu2 yi4, ting1 zhe3 you3 xin1 (the person saying has no intentions but the listener has his own preconceived notion)
For the record, I don’t mind my claims being debunked. If I’ve made a mistake or I subsequently change my mind about an opinion I held previously, I’ll admit it. But right now, I seriously think that you are thinking too much. And by the way, when I say TC’s not being objective, it’s not being objective by my standards but that doesn’t mean he’s not entitled to his measure of objectivity. If he thinks he’s objective by his standards, so be it. I don’t really care if he agrees with me or not. It doesn’t make him a lesser person in my eyes.
Take my words in whatever way you wish. At the end of the day, it still doesn’t change the my opinion that you’re one of the most intellectual readers to read my blog, and I’ve always enjoyed your comments.
Aaron,
On your qestions:
But I do have a question for you. How much should the government give to all Singaporeans such that it’s enough? Empty the country’s coffers? Empty half? One-quarter?
Here is the gangster talk, using apocalyptic scenarios. Here again you have also done the sin that you are accusing me of, and this is what you say:
You’ve constructed your argument on a certain premise which will always hold true as long as that premise is assumed. To that, I don’t have a response. You are entitled to your assumptions, of course.
Another case of pot kettle coming to mind.
Let’s examine the fact of your argument, the government CLAIMS (this is what a BUDGET means money to be spent) to want to give money amounting to $1 bil, let’s round up to make the math easy, and last year they had a surplus (actual money coming in not just BUDGETED sum) of $6 bil. Do the math, why can’t that be recycled to more. ALSO note that not all the money are going into your pocket but some are being put into endowment funds setup by the government (so moving the money from one budget to another). And what about the various means testing regime setup when a beneficiary need to draw on these goodies?
Now by my definition that is crumbs? If you don’t think that is crumb that you must well, I let others to judge your thinking.
The fact to the matter is that we are prepared to spend 30% (not counting other indirect ways of funding such as giving contracts to ST) of the National Budget on Defence, and the kind of extra money for all this goodies (remember it is one off) amount to less than that. And just because you are grateful don’t mean others have to.
The fact that you are grateful for someone who takes your hard earn money and then gives you crumbs may suggest, now let’s see what’s the best word for this…….you guest it the Stockholm Syndrom.
Ah Kow,
I don’t understand. Going by your argument, even if we take the entire budget surplus and give it out to Singaporeans, by the time it divides out, it’s still “crumbs”, only a slightly bigger piece of “crumb”. So why are you supporting giving out of slightly bigger “crumbs” if you have a really big issue with “crumbs”, be it big or small?
i don’t really think the increase in CPF contribution by the employers will help much, because we can’t really take the money out until we are 67 (and even then the amount is staggered).
but we would have to contend with higher costs of living brought about higher rates of inflation (which means we would see higher school fees and hostel fees as well.)
of course, the surplus is obviously not a bad thing to have, but you can’t really blame the singaporeans for complaining. we keep hearing good news, but what we are experiencing may not be that good (lower real wages - yeah, wage increases only for bankers). this disparity in what we are reading in the straits times, and what some are experience is so different that of course we would complain - eh, handout no enough.
Aaron,
Yes the point is a surplus exist and yet the Government is still not upping more. The issue is not when the government don’t have money to give more. The point is that it is not upping and when it gives out these money it is so regulated that many will be caught out of the net.
These are money that could be given out more liberally but they have chosen not too. So where is the rest being BUGDETTED for?
Contrast to other components, which they seemed to quick to give out, say Defence, without any clarity on the value for money return.
So when you divide out some of a pie and you chose not to, that is crumbs. When you chose to divide ALL of the pie equally how can that be considered crumbs?
Neutral Bystander,
It will help alot of people now, considering the amount of people who are saddled with housing loans from CPF board.
Well, I can agree that we can’t really blame people for complaining. But, the way I see it, that bit more cash doesn’t solve the problem of inflation. Might be a nice psychological boost to receive a bigger payout, though.
Ah Kow,
I agree with your point that alot of money is given out without value for money return. If it is ever possible, I would like to see Mindef’s accounts being audited by an external auditor. And of course, deregulating the way money is given out is another very valid issue.
But these issues have nothing to do with the issue of “crumbs”. Will giving out an extra $500 - $700 to all Singaporeans make much of a difference in the long run? I still think that giving out all the surplus just makes for a slightly bigger “crumb” (or in your words, a piece of the pie but it’s a teeny weeny piece). I think we can agree that there are problems in the social welfare safety net but the solution isn’t to give out all the surplus.
Aaron, Aaron,
I was not talking about value for money.
The point I was going to make is really in responds to your original argument about being grateful or to give due credit.
Centre to this issue is argument is a government that when they have money to give out and still chose only to give a small portion of WHAT COULD BE GIVEN OUT, and to add to that still means testing what is given out, then clearly what is being given out represents on CRUMBS from a small pie. Under this circumstance, why should one give such an government “due credit”.
Even at this tiny level, the government is not willing to give the whole pie, albeit a small one, why should one give “due credit”. Besides, the Surplus did not come from some miraculous work, or in economic speak from productivity gain, that somehow conjure up more money but a case of underspend, or clever accounting hand, or over tax in the last budget. So what credit should they deserved?
Why should Singaporean NOT ask for more? More interestingly for me is how someone could appeal:
“I think that Singaporeans should be fair to the government and give them credit for this Growth Dividend.”
it seems that the income gap will continue to widen, and weirdly enough, there isn’t any sort of political costs that come with this.
i can’t see how we can give any credit to the govt as of now. we still haven’t really succeed in any direction they have pushed us into. (like biomedical hub, medical hub, etc.)
The budget isn’t fair because they messed up in the first place. The increase in GST, the erection of more ERP gantries, high cost of public transport, CPF money that has been reduced(and you most probably won’t see much of it)… The list goes on.
Aaron, I really suggest you get a real job and try making a living before writing such a post like this.
Aaron, I think you are too young to remember. I used to be grateful to LKY - he worked hard for Singapore, his wife earned much much more than him in the past. Yes, I was grateful, but not anymore.
I wish for the day LHL says he agrees to the pay rise for all ministers, but he and members of the cabinet will serve out of a sense of duty and draw only $500,000 per annum. But that would be naive, totally naive of me. Soon LKY and GCT will say it is STILL TOUGH to find the next generation of leaders and WE MUST increase their pay to $5mil - and all Singaporeans and ST writers will agree to their point of view.
Khoo Teck Puat has shown his mettle by donating millions to singapore, Schools, hospital, and I hold him in highest regards, even higher than LKY now, even though Khoo’s son spent time in Brunei jail.
In the meantime, those older singaporeans will continue to live this lie of the government, work till 55, draw your CPF - the lie that is now called the minimum sum scheme, goal posts are moved without your permission, and meanwhile we see our investments in Thaksin, micropolis, UBS, Citibank going down, not marked to market, but told that it is for the long term goal, things will get better, but all our saving are kept till 67, when the original ‘plot’ was to release it as age 55.
It gets too personal, too painful
Ah Kow,
I think fundamentally we disagree on one thing, and that is the role of the government. I don’t think the role of the government is to give out cash cheques to everyone. Now you can say that the government is refusing to give out the whole pie, even though it’s a small pie. Even if this pie is given out, does it mean people will stop asking for pies to be given out? I am not defending the government here but I don’t see where the line can be satisfactorily drawn, especially when it comes to giving out cash from the government’s coffers. I would prefer the money to be put into investment in education, aid for the poor and destitute and more affordable healthcare for the elderly. Sure, the procedure of getting aid in Singapore can be cumbersome and demeaning and that needs to be addressed but fundamentally, I don’t think the government is obliged to give out cash in the first place and since we cannot reconcile this difference, it is pointless to continue discussing. I note that you’ve raised many valid issues so far which I actually whole-heartedly agree on but I think we can learn to disagree.
Sukhoi27,
If all you can do is to ask people to get a job instead of coming up with a good counter point, I think you’re the one who needs to grow up. What makes you think I don’t have a “real” job, whatever “real” means.
Aaron, I applaud you for taking the time to write. As a 20+ youth, yes it is a ‘fair budget’ cos for what you have contributed to the economy so far, you are receiving a couple of hundred in return and yes, it is fair.
For a 40+ like me, I see it differently. It is not greed on my part, it is a sense of helplessness to see how an annuity scheme with 12 options are given, but the 13th option of not joing this scheme is not available. In this FREE MARKET, I would prefer to choose not to be a shareholder of GIC and remove all my CPF monies at age 55, and not stay invested in micropolis and Citibank and UBS.
I should be persuaded that the annuity scheme is good for me, and if the scheme is good, I would opt in, or given the chance to opt out. Now we all know the scheme is no good, but we are not given the free market test of opting out. Again, if we are given a choice, many people may likely opt in and be less suspicious of the government’s intents.
Yes we disagree, cos we see the different sides of the coin. And yes, the govt and States Times would like us to forget with each hong pao given.
Familyman,
I don’t think anyone can argue against the economic development that LKY has brought to Singapore, although I have alot to argue against the regression of civil and social liberties in the process of attaining economic progress but that’s another story.
I think that we all have a love-hate relationship with the government, or to be more accurate, the PAP. I think they started out with very noble intentions and the founding fathers did put in alot of effort to get Singapore to where we are today. That is something that Singaporeans should be grateful for. If we look at our neighbours who gained independence around the same period as us or even earlier, we are light years ahead in terms of economic development.
However, I think the idea of public service has changed alot today. We’ve gone down the slippery slope that money buys talent and it’s a road of no return. I sympathise with your plight that the CPF goalposts are shifting and I don’t think policies should be applied retrospectively. The investment issues are another matter altogether because it’s too early to come to a final verdict on the matter. But yes, many things have occurred that are unjust to the ordinary folks and all these decisions are made with cold, rational logic. Surely there can be some room for compassion that flies in the face of logic?
Fundamentally, I am thankful that the efforts of the government has allowed me to receive a good education and put within reach some of the best opportunities in life. But at the same time, there are many issues that saddens me. This is a love-hate relationship that’s hard to describe (or in the words of Ah Kow, I’m a stockholm syndrome sufferer).
Thanks Aaron. It is good to be appreciative of the good things that comes to our lives. But when you started your posts with the word ‘greed’ on the part of the citizenry, you probably did not know the baggage suffered by your ’seniors’ and ‘elders’. Yes, while you can, move out, migrate! You do not want to be ‘bonded’ by our high CPF (veiled Taxation rates) which is degenerating to a self sponsored (not government sponsored) compulsory pension state, Uniquely Singapore.
Familyman,
Indeed perhaps there’s a big generational difference between you and me in terms of thinking and yes, I think I am unable to comprehend the kinds of baggage you’ve had. Greed is indeed too strong a word.
However, if the law permits, I would actually be standing side by side with you protesting against the arbitary changing of policies and applying them retrospectively. We’re actually not that different after all. Unfortunately, we can probably only protest in our dreams.
Who are the real greedy Singaporeans?
The fat cats who make the law?
I still think the Hongbao Budget is actually the “Peh Kim” budget. Choi, Thye Kar Lai See!!! Ya, it’s Chinese New Year but hey, the fat cats are the ones enjoying the abolition of Estate Duty. No? Definitely not the man in the street!
And yes, the fat cats are enjoying the ‘mostest’ with the income tax rebate of $2,000 compared to the top of the range Growth Dividend of only $450.
Btw, does the top old man in Singapore get the the $2,000 tax rebate, $100 Growth Dividend and $450 CPF Medisave top up? If he does, then I think he’s got one of the best deal in town!
Wake up folks, it’s the same old story. Not much different from the recent increase of GST to ‘help the poor’, which somehow resulted in obscene salary increase for mintsters. Yes, helped the real fat cats, again
Yes sir, the rich getting richer and the poor getting inverted “FU’ (Luck) as seen in ST of 16/02/08. Yessiree, we are FU**ed until upside down! Yes, even with substandard “subsidised” new HDB flat
I’m ranting but please don’t call me greedy, I wouldn’t give a hoot if the if they don’t give anything! I’m just so sick and tired of the hype, wayang and song and dance of helping the poor when they are helping themselves so much more!
And it’s so sad that some Singaporeans are grateful for being duped!
Cheers,
feedmetothefish!
Waah Aaron, you so free to answer peoper 24/7 ah?
Like that you go to Canada in the wilderness got even more free time to blog, enjoy the mountains, moose and bear sceneries.
feedmetothefish,
The upside down “FU” thing is seriously funny. I never saw it in that light before!
And, I respect your opinion that the government is totally “FU”. Are you going to reject the goodies then?
Solo Bear,
Don’t make me gian leh. But hor, mountains got wireless or not. I don’t mind blogging while I gaze at the mountains, moose and bears.
By the way, the speed of response varies. It so happens to be a little faster than usual today.
One reason for scarcity of talent could be due to the intransigent nature of the current party to actually do something to evolve the entire political system and make it actually appealing for people to come in and serve.
There is a stigma to joining the PAP, and it won’t go away lightly.
Aaron,
Do they teach you to read and write in school?
Here is what you say:
I think fundamentally we disagree on one thing, and that is the role of the government. I don’t think the role of the government is to give out cash cheques to everyone.
First let’s me explain to you in Kindergarten terms: the issue I am debating with you is NOT about the role of government. What I debating or arguing about with you is your, not to beat around the bush, accusation that your fellow Singaporean of being greedy. In case you have difficulty reading, here is what you wrote in the headline: Greedy Singaporeans
Second you contention is that the mere fact the GOVERNMENT — who is supposed to be CIVIL servants to you and me, the tax payer, in case you forgot, WE pay their wages. GOT IT SO FAR! Now these so call SERVANTS DECIDED (REMEMBER THEY DECIDE TO DO SO in something call a BUDGET) to give us back our money, not now but in the future. BECAUSE THEY have screwed up in the budget forecasting last year and ended up collecting MORE THAN NECESSARY. NOTE: WE ARE TAKING ABOUT MONEY THAT IS MORE THAN NECESSARY AND NOT ASKING THEM TO DRAIN THE STATE COFFER! NOW YOU SAY we must give them CREDIT FOR IT? CREDIT for screwing up in the forecast and overtaxing us, and underpaying the goodies in the last year?
Thirdly, to add salt to injury, the GOVERNMENT (YOUR SERVANT) is using this so call SURPLUS, which did not come from being so good at selling goods and services, but accounting cock-up, and then proclaim that only crumbs of it can be given, AND THEN BOAST how kind they are for WILLINGLY give us crumbs because of their “brilliance”. Now good old Aaron says WE MUST GIVE THEM Credit and stop being so greedy. Wow, Stockholm and Syndrom is the first thing that come to mind.
PS: Next time when you go to a shop and the shopkeeper overcharge you, let’s hope you won’t be greedy and asked for the surplus.
Ah Kow,
Thanks for replying but I am not going to respond to you anymore. I don’t have an interest in engaging people who resort to getting personal. That you disagree with my opinion is totally fine.
Good day.
Aaron said: Don’t make me gian leh. But hor, mountains got wireless or not. I don’t mind blogging while I gaze at the mountains, moose and bears.
Me: Don’t worry lah. By the time you get your Kanakia PR, got sataylite to replace internet caber ohready lah.
Ah the almighty Aaron can get “personal” by calling his fellow Singaporean greedy but when he is served the same medicine he cries boo hoo hoo. What a hypocrite!
Don’t believe me here is what he says:
“I’m not as greedy as some of my countrymen.”
NOTE the use of the personal “I”. The kind of “I” am much better that all you, which include me Tan Ah Kow, greedy lot.
No Aaron, I wouldn’t give a hoot if they don’t give me anything but I’m not rejecting the goodies because there’s no goodies to reject in the first place. What goodies? Where did the money come from? It came from the people. That include your parents, your grandparents, you and yours truly. The billions that went to Suzhou, Shincorp, UBS, Merrill Lynch etc.? Came from PAP? Who’s money is it anyway? It came from the people and it belongs to the people! Those people playing with our money are just a bunch of money mercenaries profiting from our hard earned savings. The miserable interest we get from our CPF is just that - Misery! And I have a funny feeling that CPF Life (Compulsory Annuity) will add more Life to CPF but will be the Death of the CPF contributor!
Personally, they have been overcharging and hording my hard earned money since ‘68 through my CPF, purchase of HDB flat, tax, GST and what have you. I’ve slogged for more than 40 years in this little red dot. After a series of health challenges including heart attack and ventricular fibrillation, I’ve come to realise that they expect you to jump into the MRT track or walk into the sunset and die or when you are of no economic value to them anymore.
They are good at making you feel small and they very much like to strip away your dignity should you ask them for help or disagree with them!
The saddest joke is when I ask to pay for my medical expenses with my Medisave, they insult me by telling me that I should save my current Medisave for future major illnesses and hospital stay. Choi, thai kar lai see!!!! So Uncle, pay cash if you want to see the cardiologist or get your prescription filled.
If you read my entry on my experience with CPF at http://feedmetothefish.blogspot.com/2007/09/before-i-die.html, you may understand what I mean.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Cheers,
Feedmetothefish
Actually Aaron, instead of behaving like LKY and saying others may ‘disagree’ with you, it is perfectly fine to come out and apologise for using the word ‘greedy’ on your fellow citizens. It is ok, you may disagree with me. Seriously, the ministers screw up big time with the last GST increase and minister salary increase, while the PA holders got what…$30 more? It is a darn sick joke when the tag line for the GST increase was to ‘help the poor’! I will never forget that! Never! And the suicide rates for those above 60 continue to climb in singapore.
Having read through this blog and the accompanying posts, I have just two issues to add.
We got to avoid getting too personal before we become guilty of big egoes. It is good for one to look deeper into the experiences and opinions of others. Imposing untested, uncertain and undetermined theses is likely to generate controversies.
Suicide, has indeed becomes the common way out, escape from problems most likely arising from money shortages(more correct to say ‘no money). For those contemplating the course, please do not waste your life. And for anyone who gets to know latent victim, do try ones’ best to help, though not oblige to.
Also just like to say that most of the wealths of any country are by and large made by the people(citizenry).
familyman,
I don’t mind apologising if I think I’m wrong but honestly, with the way some people are behaving, it’s partically trying to coerce an apology and I resent that. So much for the criticism on “gangsterism”.
The only apology I will make is for 1) being insensitive and choosing a not so politically correct adjective 2) lumping every Singaporean into a single category but I am not going to change my mind that I think there exists a fair number of greedy Singaporeans.
It is all too easy to say that we should distribute out all the surplus. Even if we do, is it a fair distribution? Should a roadsweeper get more than the factory worker? Should a manager in a SME get more than a manager in a multi-national firm? My point is quite simply that there’s no easy way to ensure full equity and let’s just be grateful that we are at least getting something.
And once again, being grateful doesn’t mean that the system is perfect and we should therefore kowtow to the powers there be, as some people have continually insinuated. There is no perfect answer to the issue of governance and what should be done is to encourage diversity of viewpoints and an open mind towards all views.
Looks like I would get the most $150 from this budget but I won’t give the credit because before this I must have paid 150 times more and I will have to pay 150 times more later when they implement more taxes in every form you can imagine. Greed on my part? I don’t agree. More likely I am aggrieved if you remember my previous post. However since you already agreed that your choice of the word “Greed” is too strong a word I forgive you wholeheartedly. Young man, older people like us with so much of baggages are just aggrieved, not greedy. If credit is indeed due, we should give it generously and not hold back. But this budget does not deserve any.
Nancy,
Indeed I am in no position to speak for older folks like you with valid greviances. Perhaps when I get to your age (and I’m still in Singapore), my gratitude I speak of today will become greviance.
What i can say is this budget made no mention on disabled citizens and after giving so much to other countries and with that surplus… I’m sure most Singpareans would agree that …. at least for me… forget about my share (middle - high income if possible) if the govt does not want to part with too much.. how about giving all 85 and above pension instead of having them to try to understand CPF LIFE…which is bloody complicated for most people.
What i can say is this budget made no mention on disabled citizens and after giving so much to other countries and with that surplus… I’m sure most Singpareans would agree that …. at least for me… forget about my share (middle - high income if possible) if the govt does not want to part with too much.. how about giving all 85 and above pension instead of having them to try to understand CPF LIFE…which is bloody complicated for most people.
My humble thoughts
Aaron I really bless your soul to have such a contented spirit. Keep this virtue as long as possible. Quite a no. of your posts showed you gave credit unselfishly which was not a bad thing but it also pays to be sensitive to others’ feelings and this budget has stepped on many toes but like I wrote earlier I admired your willingness to admit your wrong choice of word. So no worries we always move on in life. I hope you will always keep your innocence and do not have to see things so negatively like my peers and me. We are a lost case. All the best, young man
Well, this government look really like a ‘robber’ who just want to take it all but not wanting to give. And force to give they will but not without great publicity from their owned propagandic newspaper, praising how generous and caring they are in return back a tiny fraction of their stolen money to the ‘victim’.
We have a very glorified and legalised ‘robbers’ running our country, and even our late President Ong agree on that too that he was quickly put down by the coffers. That’s alone already prove how dishonest and liar the regime is. Just look at our pathetic president now, the most expensive and ironically, the most useless president in history of Singapore and most expensive in the world. Have this shameless person ever thought of how his race and other races will think of him ?
LKY should start writing a book on ‘How to run a prosperous country the Singapore way’
- Rob everyone except themselves, then return tiny amount to declare themselves heros and saviour
- To hell with democracy, opposition party…
- To hell with the citizen too
- Run the whole country as business entity
- Evoke ISA on people that pose a threat to regime.
- Bankrupt ‘radical’
- Infuse and only allow materials and resources in educational matter that talks about goodness of the regime.
- Make them Sing the national anthem, better still, let them shout.
- Send some elites oversea, pay them high to come back to preach the value and intelligence of the regime.
- Make the foreigner screw the citizen, and the citizen screw the foreigner, and the regime act as watchdog and hero to resolve the conflict by penalising each other.
- Give carrots and let their coffers and state media exaggerated the carrots in a very big way that the whole world envy and notice. But emphasize and impinge the ‘fact’ that inflation and all other up-costs are due to globalization not with loss of investment and taxmoney from the coffers.
It is of course fair of the government to pay the China students their full tuition fees while our Singaporean students, who’s parents pay taxes, start off their working life with a hefty study loan. For heaven’s sake, use the billions to level up our students, instead of punting on the stock market.
I bet you those China students will probably fail our GP paper and at A levels, that is why they need extra English tuition before coming to Singapore Uni.
Yes, it sure is a fair budget and all those greedy greedy minority (so says Aaron) should get on with life, out of our elite faces.
wee-idol raised an issue which might not be relevant to the current discussion, but has always been (and will continue to be) the bane of some singaporean students: local tuition fees.
i don’t think there’s any problems punting on the stock market, but the fee distinction between foreign students and local students should be greater. I wonder how come a lot of foreign students are given scholarships (as opposed to way smaller numbers in the UK and US) while a lot of local students have to instead fight for bursaries.
as fees continue to raise, it’s quite a wonder why there is a lack of discussion of this issue in the blogosphere.
That is the problem with our budget - mAny things are in the dark. How much was spent on these ’scholarship’ ? Millions? Would the minister of education share with us? These are part of our budget too, spent on miscellaneous that are probably never reported.
let’s not expect too much when you are a local and living in Singapore i guess. this ride is just going to get rougher for the majority, and smoother for just a tiny minority (and those who can afford to migrate).
You only need to read newspapers and magazines like IHT, Economist, etc to get a view of other countries - their economies, what is happening in business and also politics.
A lot of what is written about Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Philippines is also applicable to Singapore. We are not unique and share with other countries - to a lesser or greater degree - some of the pluses and minuses.
But no one is killed in the streets, we don’t have slum housing - and the government keeps a tight lid on things in every way.
Besides, Singapore is an ally of the Americans and the western democracies and it is not armed and dangerous (like Iran, North Korea or Pakistan).
And Singapore is quick to sue whether it be the opposition (real and perceived) or media. So all in all as we are relatively calm and peaceful and do not roil anyone, we are not going to have much outside support for what ails Singapore but is kept under wraps.
Only if and when the next leaders fail - despite their academic achievements and high salaries which are not a guarantee they will get things right - might there be a groundswell of discontent.
And then perhaps the outside world might take notice.
But so far under LKY, GCT and LHL we have been kept under check with the crumbs and the stick.
Let’s see what happens down the road - whether the pips will get squeezed too hard and start to squeak.
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Sorry… not trying to rub in or anything… but i think we are all in the same boat. We need to stay focus on the real objective.
Why don’t we unite as fellow Sinagporeans and use our time and energy on more constructive ways in re-making Singapore. All these “attack” towards one another isn’t going to change a thing. Am I rite???
Want to “attack” also attack the gahmen mah…. But where is the avenue to do that, I’m not sure lar… =p
Reading the string of comments from this entry, it is obvious why the gahmen is able to hold onto their power. Just look at our opposition parties, even with the same cause, they are not in harmony and fragmented.
If I am the ruling party and from the top looking down, I would be sniggering as my “enemies” are killing off one another without me needing to do anything.
We are already so small, we Singaporeans need to be unite in numbers, in purpose and in spirit in order to make any real change.
The change is not just for ourselves, but our children and the future generations.
To all comments on this blog:
this IS Aaron’s blog, and isn’t the reason he started it was to pen down his thoughts and opinions? Look, if he wants to call Singaporeans greedy, who are WE to judge him or ask him to apologize? Remember, the Internet is a FREE domain, where a moderator should be allowed to voice himself FREELY.
Aaron, kudos to you for having to support your blog and such comments, sometimes it amazes me that people can take such dim-witted views on life. Also, it’s hilarious when someone like Ah Kow, comments on your English, and then proceeds to make horrendous spelling errors in his comments.
Take care…
So are all of us at fault to debate on whether Singaporeans are greedy or not? if the Internet is a FREE domain, then naturally there will be people who are just here to abuse it. And yes, who are WE to judge him, perhaps I try not to judge him, but can you really NOT judge?
I don’t think discourse is based on pure subjectivity, we can only approach objectivity by having a broad spectrum of opinions - yes, even those of the disgruntled and those who are just here to stir up trouble. Because you can’t ever be rid of such folks.
eeliza and guojun,
Thanks for the support but I think that as a free speech advocate, I will defend their right to judge me or ask me to apologize. However, I didn’t like that the discussion got personal at times and I don’t like to engage when the discussion gets personal because it’s not contributing to the discussion. It’s one thing to have an opinion of people in general but it’s another thing to specifically label people as XYZ. Also, I didn’t like the fact that there are people who disagree and insist that they are right. If things were so straightforward, we won’t even need to discuss in the first place. Of course, when there’s free speech, there are bound to be some nasties. They have a right to speak too but if we don’t like what they say, just exercise your right not to engage. There are alot more people who are worthy of your time to engage in a discussion with, and it’s because of these folks that I can put up with the nasties.
Singaporeans are becoming more and more complacent. They think that the government will take care of them. They are unable to go through hardship and are unwilling to work 18 hours a day. They are so greedy that they think they are entitled to overtime pay when workers are supposed to do work and not suck money from employers who are kind enough to give them work to do. Yeah!!! send those greed bastards to us and we’ll exploit them! http://www.greedypeople.com