The Sum of The Budget is lesser than the Handouts

it was budget time

The budget stabbed everyone at opening with a s$0.20 tax on per liter of petrol. This translate into increased costs as oil, the grease of transportation of goods & services, is the main driver; nevermind if you do not own cars.

It's naive to think that diesel prices are not affected. Your utility bills will hound you sooner than you blink...

Those other handouts are goodies but unless you need it, you do not get to enjoy them, like skills assistance & upgrading funds, amounts set aside & into the CPF accounts will be locked in longer hence stifling the multiplier and rebates for GST, utility, road tax and..are heard but seldom received by many!

Thank God for small mercy; surely, whatever allowances do help. But, in the first place, nobody ask for ERPs, COEs & GST.

Can you cure deflation by injecting cost-push inflation (petrol tax)?

The problems are today's politicians are invited & most are administrators, parachuted into prized positions with luxurious remuneration. They are there not because they are fighting or championing for a cause. Fresh from the press was when Minister Chan CS said at the REDA function that "comingling the poor (poorer strata) within the city area (Pinnacle was used as an example)...does not help ...". If this was so (gospel truth), Marine Parade wouldn't have existed with HDBs!

The rich cannot live in a 'sea of poor'. How do you break the culture of the caste or feudal system if you do not have the political will to do so?

Speeches/phrases like "you don't get dengue if mosquitoes don't bite you", "keep fit & don't fall ill to reduce medical costs", "increase fares if you want better services", "it's affordable..." & "......" shows the gross disconnect between the Servants & Masters, the reality & myths and the indifference to the loud distress screams of the commoners.

The budget looks good on the surface but more could & should be done to alleviate the high costs of living, the declining to stagnant wages and to mend the broken dreams of the commoners.

Am I complaining? NO.

I may be the lonely voice (speaking out for the commoners) but if I dont, who will?