Jul 22nd, 2008
Political logic
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It seems one of the counter arguments Singapore’s political leaders like to make when responding to criticisms about Singapore is that critics, particularly those hailing from “Western” styled liberal democracies, have no experience at all when it comes to running a government.
So, to the Singapore government, the only way critics are allowed the license to talk is when the critics have had experience with governance. It seems that experience is pretty much a pre-requisite to the government.
That being the case, why are Singaporean ministers being paid millions? In order for our ministers to talk about and formulate policies for majority of Singaporeans, shouldn’t they experience what the average Singaporean experiences in order to make policies that makes everyone better off?
For starters, the ministers should get a massive pay cut to 5% of their current salary. Next, we should house them in 4 or 5 room HDB flats, depending on how big their family is. Next, they should be banned from owning a car so that they can experience being sandwiched in overcrowded trains and buses. Maybe the water and electrical supply to their homes can be cut from time to time too.
Without such drastic measures, our ministers cannot possibly be experienced enough to formulate good policies. We really should give our ministers the best possible experience of being an average Singaporean. 
Addendum:
Someone said to me this entry sounds like an angry rant. Actually, it is not. Look at the tags.
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When Mr LKY was running as an Opposition against the British, he also dont have any experience in running a country, did he not?
nuff said..
Nobody is born with experience, you need time and exposure to accumulate experience.
LKY started off running a country but ended up running an exclusive business. I think his audience should point this out to him.
LKY’s political logic is skewed and so is his idea of meritocracy.
I agree with Aaron that the politicians need to experience what the ordinary folks go through daily to truly understand things in perspective.
The PM himself will never understand what it is like living in a HDB flat, taking public transport, worrying about job security, raising a family on a tight budget, eating out in hawker outlets,etc,etc. Just look at where he came from, his real experiences and you will know what I mean.
It is up to the people to give these politicians the much needed experience. Give them as little votes in the next elections, they will have to work their butts off to win back those precious votes.
This is the only logic that they understand.
My guess is they are destined to be drawing millions, it is wriiten in the stars, chosen ones so to speak. or shd i be speaking at all. I think I hv committed blasphemy here, to ridicule our hope, our path to an eternally materially well off life, a paradise. Heck, I shd not be fearful of death at all, I am in heaven.
someone said that the love of money is the root of all evil. now if that’s true, the root must then be found in those who amassed the most wealth at the people’s expense?
yah, wait and see LKY sue Singapore. And he’ll win! haha…
Well said aaron!
Anyway, these buggers in power can’t take it when the truth is slapped across their faces!
Aaron, totally agree on your point of having the right feel of what is happening on the ground being crucial in formulating good policies. But on the flip side… Aren’t the critics already talking? Is there anything wrong about anyone defending what they themself see right? How do you measure a minister’s responsibility and worth versus a top management position in the private sector? Remember, it’s easy to criticise. But to step into the shoes of others and go into every single little detail of how they arrive at some conclusions… is often not at all easy. Do you ever had well intentions misunderstood?
hi aaron
seems tat u enjoy writing alot.
keen to take up a temp assignment in relations to your studies in CNM?
email me. aliciacher@hotmail.com