When the rich says "its no fun to be poor they are not referring to the poor but to themself".
How would the rich ever understand poor does not equals sad, unable or 'disable'?
Will the rich ever understands what's hunger & deprive?
The poor can stretch his dollar & lives within his means but a dollar is too little to be of any use to the rich.
The rich proclaims that he does 'charity' anonymously; well, how am I (the poor) to know if it's true as I never receive a cent of his help?
Whatever; the rich poor gap is the North-South divide.
When the rich/superior says;
'We will look into it' means 'no idea & still searching for answers'
'We will consider' means 'it may not concern me nor is it my territory'
'There are enough to go round, Don't panic' means 'I already have, you wait'
'No comments' simply mean 'don't ask me'!
The rich (golfer) walks the green while the poor (farmer) ploughs his land.
The rich enjoys the sea, the breeze & his cruiser while the fisherman have all but fish for a living.
The wealthy says 'I share your predicament'; it's giving moral support, meaning 'lip service'.
General Powell said he managed to win the war because his men in the trenches 'fought alongside him'. It's no fun being a foot soldier neither a responsible General. It's comradeship.
We are said to be equal but we are never, or will ever be, 'born equal', 'live equal' nor 'have equal opportunities'. It's the Law of the Jungle.
To all : you any be born poor but never lives poor. Everything being equal, I prefer to have the upper half!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Where Were You When I Needed You Most
What a divided nation we are today...
When there were common grounds to fight & to fight for survival, we fought as one.
We have come a long way; from independence to almost 1st world, from laborious work to value-add, high finance, from living in attap huts to high-rise apartments/HDBs but everything comes with a cost!
“Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.” ― Gautama Buddha
With wealth, comes class division, knowingly or unknowingly; the 'Haves', the 'Have-Nots', the 'Think They Have' & the 'Have Nothing'.
- The 'Haves' created elitism, carved & ring fenced choice jobs, can do 'no wrongs', have a string of followers worshiping for humanly blessings - up in the ivory tower & surrounded by a sea of poor.
- The 'Have-Nots' & the 'Think They Have' are the middle class & mid-class-to-be; struggling with costs-of-living issues daily & living like a rich-wannabe - Everything is financed & living on borrowed time and borrowed resources.
- The 'Have Nothings' are the un-class or under-class; 240,000 earning below $1,000, with many unemployed, underemployed & displaced; forever in the grip of financial deficiencies & said 'to be lazy and seeking handouts'.
“Most problems, if you give them enough time and space, will eventually wear themselves out” ― Gautama Buddha
From dusts to dusts, someday we will all return to meet the Creator. Everything artificial and hollow will collapsed into nothingness someday. Nations rise & fall, not through lack of foresight but, because of selfishness, greed, disguised goodwill & faking care.
Many do not speak out not because of fear but are hopeful that things will get better. Gags will only create a 'bubble of discontent & resentment' which when implode, like death, will be the equalizer.
Where Were You When I Needed You Most?
Not enough hospitals beds, costlier healthcare, uncontrolled dengue, MRT breakdown becomes a norm, disconnect public transportation, higher education costs, floods, haze, expensive public housings, increased population without parallel increased infrastructure, curtailed & glass-ceilinged wages with cheap imports... these are not complaints but everyday basic needs.
The 'Haves' will never understand as everything is affordable because they can afford the price. To expect everyone to be a 'price-taker' is a demonstration of indifference and a gross lack of empathy.
“Awake. Be the witness of your thoughts. You are what observes, not what you observe” ― Gautama Buddha
Mr 'Haves' - you can take all you want but spare some for the mass!
When there were common grounds to fight & to fight for survival, we fought as one.
We have come a long way; from independence to almost 1st world, from laborious work to value-add, high finance, from living in attap huts to high-rise apartments/HDBs but everything comes with a cost!
“Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.” ― Gautama Buddha
With wealth, comes class division, knowingly or unknowingly; the 'Haves', the 'Have-Nots', the 'Think They Have' & the 'Have Nothing'.
- The 'Haves' created elitism, carved & ring fenced choice jobs, can do 'no wrongs', have a string of followers worshiping for humanly blessings - up in the ivory tower & surrounded by a sea of poor.
- The 'Have-Nots' & the 'Think They Have' are the middle class & mid-class-to-be; struggling with costs-of-living issues daily & living like a rich-wannabe - Everything is financed & living on borrowed time and borrowed resources.
- The 'Have Nothings' are the un-class or under-class; 240,000 earning below $1,000, with many unemployed, underemployed & displaced; forever in the grip of financial deficiencies & said 'to be lazy and seeking handouts'.
“Most problems, if you give them enough time and space, will eventually wear themselves out” ― Gautama Buddha
From dusts to dusts, someday we will all return to meet the Creator. Everything artificial and hollow will collapsed into nothingness someday. Nations rise & fall, not through lack of foresight but, because of selfishness, greed, disguised goodwill & faking care.
Many do not speak out not because of fear but are hopeful that things will get better. Gags will only create a 'bubble of discontent & resentment' which when implode, like death, will be the equalizer.
Where Were You When I Needed You Most?
Not enough hospitals beds, costlier healthcare, uncontrolled dengue, MRT breakdown becomes a norm, disconnect public transportation, higher education costs, floods, haze, expensive public housings, increased population without parallel increased infrastructure, curtailed & glass-ceilinged wages with cheap imports... these are not complaints but everyday basic needs.
The 'Haves' will never understand as everything is affordable because they can afford the price. To expect everyone to be a 'price-taker' is a demonstration of indifference and a gross lack of empathy.
“Awake. Be the witness of your thoughts. You are what observes, not what you observe” ― Gautama Buddha
Mr 'Haves' - you can take all you want but spare some for the mass!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
How lost can lost be?
Crossing rivers & climbing mountains are never easy but it can't be any easier with life's challenges.
I have worked hardest, not just hard, tried to work smartly & definitely sincere.
I have put in limitless efforts, tried alternative solutions, even accepting less optimal suggestions; I am, & have been, too accommodating.
In the end, I was sold 'lock, stock & barrel' by my most trusted client, my best partner; people whom I helped without motives plus 'plentiful of gives'. I have traded my trust only to receive absolute betrayals.
I receive minimum to nil reward.
If there is God, HE must be very busy helping everyone except me.
The day when HE stopped helping me, I knew 'I am on my own'; for myself, by myself.
Alas! I'd liked to believe that I wasn't abandoned by HIM but HE is 'looking after others who have more pressing needs than me'!
I have been waiting for, & wishing that, HE will give me a break, a helping hand & plentiful of blessings.
If HE is too busy, at least, do not test me further.
I am 'dead tired', losing hope, struggling ...I am working with 'back-up' battery.
Without re-charging, I am almost a dried prune.
I dislike my current stature, my position but I like my ability to be able to break out of glass ceiling & crash through obstacles.
I have enough to go on, to fight, to win, to overcome the odds but ...I am only a human.
God; give me strengths, guts, intelligence & help me walk through this sea of uncertainty.
In God, I trust.
I have worked hardest, not just hard, tried to work smartly & definitely sincere.
I have put in limitless efforts, tried alternative solutions, even accepting less optimal suggestions; I am, & have been, too accommodating.
In the end, I was sold 'lock, stock & barrel' by my most trusted client, my best partner; people whom I helped without motives plus 'plentiful of gives'. I have traded my trust only to receive absolute betrayals.
I receive minimum to nil reward.
If there is God, HE must be very busy helping everyone except me.
The day when HE stopped helping me, I knew 'I am on my own'; for myself, by myself.
Alas! I'd liked to believe that I wasn't abandoned by HIM but HE is 'looking after others who have more pressing needs than me'!
I have been waiting for, & wishing that, HE will give me a break, a helping hand & plentiful of blessings.
If HE is too busy, at least, do not test me further.
I am 'dead tired', losing hope, struggling ...I am working with 'back-up' battery.
Without re-charging, I am almost a dried prune.
I dislike my current stature, my position but I like my ability to be able to break out of glass ceiling & crash through obstacles.
I have enough to go on, to fight, to win, to overcome the odds but ...I am only a human.
God; give me strengths, guts, intelligence & help me walk through this sea of uncertainty.
In God, I trust.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Money & Power
Knowledge is power, power is money...
Study hard, do well in school & you will succeed, otherwise you will be a road sweeper
These were the words I heard when I was young
Get a degree & you will find a good job & life will be a bliss
Use your initiative, be creative & think out of the box
Ask questions if you don't understand
Express your ideas, freely & speak out against wrongs & wrongdoing
Defend the country, your family & your loved ones with your life
Fight against injustice, stand up for rights & help the poor
Meritocracy reign, fair employment & more good years for all/you
Time change & people changes
Many things I learnt when I was younger doesn't seem relevant nor applicable
Obligations remain, equality is elusive, jobs opportunities are rarer
Promises remained as Promises
The sunny island has gotten more developed & beautiful but crowded with foreigners
With many newbies called PRs, FTs or simply new citizens, our population doubles but our infrastructure remained constant, overused, under maintained & lacking
Fatcat pays kill initiatives, their willingness to work & breed ring fencing & protecting their choice positions & appointments
Everyone suffers but suffering is inversely related to wealth & income
The rich cannot live in a sea of poor
The poor cannot remained poor forever
What does the future holds?
Study hard, do well in school & you will succeed, otherwise you will be a road sweeper
These were the words I heard when I was young
Get a degree & you will find a good job & life will be a bliss
Use your initiative, be creative & think out of the box
Ask questions if you don't understand
Express your ideas, freely & speak out against wrongs & wrongdoing
Defend the country, your family & your loved ones with your life
Fight against injustice, stand up for rights & help the poor
Meritocracy reign, fair employment & more good years for all/you
Time change & people changes
Many things I learnt when I was younger doesn't seem relevant nor applicable
Obligations remain, equality is elusive, jobs opportunities are rarer
Promises remained as Promises
The sunny island has gotten more developed & beautiful but crowded with foreigners
With many newbies called PRs, FTs or simply new citizens, our population doubles but our infrastructure remained constant, overused, under maintained & lacking
Fatcat pays kill initiatives, their willingness to work & breed ring fencing & protecting their choice positions & appointments
Everyone suffers but suffering is inversely related to wealth & income
The rich cannot live in a sea of poor
The poor cannot remained poor forever
What does the future holds?
The Truth About Singapore
the everchanging sides of Singapore...
What is right (or reading the right thing) or wrong?
1) in the battlefront - if U don't shot your enemy, he will kill U. ...uummm, killing is wrong!
2) IRs generate revenues & employment ...uummm, gambling is not exactly good nor right
3) our electricity/powerplant were sold/privatized ...uummm, the buyer is normally warrantied certain minimum returns & the consumers (rich or poor) carry this obligation
4) Uni-education does not warranty success in life ...uummm, true, so does this mean we can or should do away with Uni-education?
5) control, control & more controls are good for U ..ummm, may I do the controlling instead?
Wiseman thoughts or fool's gold?
The mosquitoes are laughing...
Quote from a Forum writer "..Tip-offs about mosquito breeding sites in tree holes are diverted to the National Parks Board, those in potholes on the road come under the Land Transport Authority, drains come under the purview of PUB and places like back lanes are under the charge of the Singapore Land Authority.."
With so many agencies involved, I am not surprise that efficiencies & effectiveness are traded away 'tai-chi' style.
Do U know two different agencies handle 'birds complaints' - Crows, pigeons & other birds?
Maybe, this is job creation or 'protection'!
I pray that when the/an enemy 'attack' our sunny island, we need not wait for the different units (land, sea, air) to respond because different agencies are in-charge! The mosquitoes are laughing...
Talk to the successful people, chances are U will be advised;
1) Don't give up
2) For every door that closes, the windows are still open
3) I almost give up, but...I made it
4) persevere, be patient, mark your time
5) I can, U can too
All these are very encouraging & motivating but try telling them to a hungry, desperate person with a few mouths to feed.
Those who feast daily will never understand what it means to be hungry!
Some ironies of life;
1) We can ban chewing gum but can't ban cigarettes
2) The regular use of MRT tracks do not get nor require servicing
3) SIA orders new airplanes but needed to 'mothball' a transport plane
4) Our military have one of the most advance attack weapons, potentially adding F-35s, for display but not enough is spent on healthcare & well-being (not welfare) for the citizens.
Last, but not least, the first dengue fatality - the professor said (quote from news reports) 'even if the patient had been admitted two days earlier, it would not have made a difference'! ... Tell that to our SARS team, Sir.
Oh, by the way, I am not a smoker but i'm not against smoking ...just have a good laugh
What is right (or reading the right thing) or wrong?
1) in the battlefront - if U don't shot your enemy, he will kill U. ...uummm, killing is wrong!
2) IRs generate revenues & employment ...uummm, gambling is not exactly good nor right
3) our electricity/powerplant were sold/privatized ...uummm, the buyer is normally warrantied certain minimum returns & the consumers (rich or poor) carry this obligation
4) Uni-education does not warranty success in life ...uummm, true, so does this mean we can or should do away with Uni-education?
5) control, control & more controls are good for U ..ummm, may I do the controlling instead?
Wiseman thoughts or fool's gold?
The mosquitoes are laughing...
Quote from a Forum writer "..Tip-offs about mosquito breeding sites in tree holes are diverted to the National Parks Board, those in potholes on the road come under the Land Transport Authority, drains come under the purview of PUB and places like back lanes are under the charge of the Singapore Land Authority.."
With so many agencies involved, I am not surprise that efficiencies & effectiveness are traded away 'tai-chi' style.
Do U know two different agencies handle 'birds complaints' - Crows, pigeons & other birds?
Maybe, this is job creation or 'protection'!
I pray that when the/an enemy 'attack' our sunny island, we need not wait for the different units (land, sea, air) to respond because different agencies are in-charge! The mosquitoes are laughing...
Talk to the successful people, chances are U will be advised;
1) Don't give up
2) For every door that closes, the windows are still open
3) I almost give up, but...I made it
4) persevere, be patient, mark your time
5) I can, U can too
All these are very encouraging & motivating but try telling them to a hungry, desperate person with a few mouths to feed.
Those who feast daily will never understand what it means to be hungry!
Some ironies of life;
1) We can ban chewing gum but can't ban cigarettes
2) The regular use of MRT tracks do not get nor require servicing
3) SIA orders new airplanes but needed to 'mothball' a transport plane
4) Our military have one of the most advance attack weapons, potentially adding F-35s, for display but not enough is spent on healthcare & well-being (not welfare) for the citizens.
Last, but not least, the first dengue fatality - the professor said (quote from news reports) 'even if the patient had been admitted two days earlier, it would not have made a difference'! ... Tell that to our SARS team, Sir.
Oh, by the way, I am not a smoker but i'm not against smoking ...just have a good laugh
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Talk City
...talk is cheap but you may need to pay for opinions
$50,000 - that's what you may need to deposit with MDA if you express too many opinions or your website or blog becomes too popular
To date, more are said than done
Plentiful of promises are said but few, if any, delivered
Funnily, what is said and what is actually done more often contradicts
What is correct & what is wrong seems to have merged and grey (outcome) is an acceptable result.
What is legally correct may not be morally correct; possible? Well, guess its not impossible as the Laws lag behind reality and practices.
合法; literally to mean comply legally, 合情; comply with culture & practices, 合理; comply with reason or reasonably correct
The Rule of Laws must be fair and equitable and the outcome must be consistent as in Case Laws but where the human hand is involved, the weight of Laws can be skewed towards a desired outcome.
As harmless as it may be, respect for the Laws of the Land will erode over time.
The mass are, by and large, indifference and live a 'carefree', non-politisize lifestyle, building upon their own dreams, chasing their dreamed rainbows and running round their own 'Garden @Eden' with lots of space for ventilation, complaints, controversies and self-worthy opinions. In simple term, its a 'world of their own'； the 'Gamers world', where reality and fantasies merged seamlessly.
There is no need to control nor regulate the 'Gamers World'; a world where fantasies and realities merged with plentiful of ideals but few ideas...ideals that float and change with time.
When Mao tried to immotalize his ideas and flood his thoughts throughout the populace with unquestioned authority, the country suffered (economically). Deng swung the pendulum to the other end and free the 'minds and thoughts' of the people and let 'free play' dictates the pace of the future. China enter an era of peace, prosperity and status few can challenge.
Let there be free play of ideas and ideals. There is no monopoly of ideas and wisdom.
If Martin Luther King didn't speak out, today's world may still be clearly black and/or white. For Singapore to breakout into a new era, a new paradigm must be allowed to manifest.
$50,000 - that's what you may need to deposit with MDA if you express too many opinions or your website or blog becomes too popular
To date, more are said than done
Plentiful of promises are said but few, if any, delivered
Funnily, what is said and what is actually done more often contradicts
What is correct & what is wrong seems to have merged and grey (outcome) is an acceptable result.
What is legally correct may not be morally correct; possible? Well, guess its not impossible as the Laws lag behind reality and practices.
合法; literally to mean comply legally, 合情; comply with culture & practices, 合理; comply with reason or reasonably correct
The Rule of Laws must be fair and equitable and the outcome must be consistent as in Case Laws but where the human hand is involved, the weight of Laws can be skewed towards a desired outcome.
As harmless as it may be, respect for the Laws of the Land will erode over time.
The mass are, by and large, indifference and live a 'carefree', non-politisize lifestyle, building upon their own dreams, chasing their dreamed rainbows and running round their own 'Garden @Eden' with lots of space for ventilation, complaints, controversies and self-worthy opinions. In simple term, its a 'world of their own'； the 'Gamers world', where reality and fantasies merged seamlessly.
There is no need to control nor regulate the 'Gamers World'; a world where fantasies and realities merged with plentiful of ideals but few ideas...ideals that float and change with time.
When Mao tried to immotalize his ideas and flood his thoughts throughout the populace with unquestioned authority, the country suffered (economically). Deng swung the pendulum to the other end and free the 'minds and thoughts' of the people and let 'free play' dictates the pace of the future. China enter an era of peace, prosperity and status few can challenge.
Let there be free play of ideas and ideals. There is no monopoly of ideas and wisdom.
If Martin Luther King didn't speak out, today's world may still be clearly black and/or white. For Singapore to breakout into a new era, a new paradigm must be allowed to manifest.
Friday, May 24, 2013
ERP; It's Costs & The Spy Traps
Whatever GNSS & ERP x; its a revenue chaser.
Car ownership has been, and will always be, expensive in Sgp. Apart from the variety of taxes currently in place, throwing-in 'charge by usage' will only further burden the users, minus the wealthy.
From experiences, the current system (or any new measures) are revenue centric; why disallow car pooling, car sharing & the likes. If every cars on the roads have four or more passengers (two in the case of two-seaters), half the car population will be parked at homes. What traffic jams?
With GNSS and ERP3 and a whole gamut of devices installed in-car, drivers are deprived of freedom, choice & privacy. Monitoring your movements, knowingly or unknowingly, becomes the norm. What's there to prevent a rogue government (if an evil group seizes power through the box) from misusing these for their selfish purposes?
Control at extremes will breed resentment and rebellion against the system and paralyze initiatives.
At the rate we are introducing, and passing more costs, to consumers/citizens, Sgp is a pressure cooker waiting to explode. The mounting stresses will create more zombies & cracks on the roads. The health costs of a stressful citizenry outweighs economic gains.
What's wrong with traffic jams? Economic costs? Sure, but if the health of the general citizenry is cracked or collapsed, what price are we paying?
Singapore is an experimental bed for many policies but our citizens must not be sacrificed like guinea pigs.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The Country That Got Stuck In Her Path
...paralysis by analysis
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius
Sir Stamford Raffles probably foresaw and reflected on this trading post islet and trust that it will be a great
trading point between East & West.
Mr Goh Keng Swee and his team strongly believed that we can transform this sunny island into a gem-of-sorts. There must have been a success story somewhere on Earth that whatever we want to do and forge ahead, we can imitate, adapt and create our Destiny.
In the early days, there were few educated men and information were not readily available. Who would have believe that there is, and will have, such easy access to info via www.?
Singapore started as (and progress):
- a trading post - 1800s
- an entrepot point - 1900s
- a labour intensive hub - 60s-70s
- mechanisation, automation, financial and value-add centre 80s-90s
- technology, knowledge-base, financial, leisure & value-add metropolitan - 2000s
With progress, comes costs.
Our strings of disillusions, disquietness and discontent is not without reasons; many were left behind in the name of progress and (GDP)growth. Our Gini-coefficient widens by the year reflecting our gapping income disparity.
The untame influx of foreigners seeking fun, abode, fortune & jobs took their toll on infrastructure, space, income and citizenry rights & privileges. Income were suppressed and jobs became scarce while costs of housing, medicine & medical care, transport, education, food rose in general.
Dissenting voices (often heard in alternative media/www) became louder but their cries were dismissed as noises.
Knowingly or unknowingly, Singapore had moved towards labour intensive industries like hospitality, medi-care, education, tourism and the likes; we have come 'one full circle' by experience.
With a global unemployment of 200mil and more, we must seek to protect the interests and well being of our citizens, not out of selfishness but, by necessity; Singaporeans are citizens and PRs & others are foreigners. To anyone who thinks and says we are xenophobic, please show me a country, preferably yours, that practices such liberal 'open door' policies to allow foreigners to work and reside here.
It's time to move upward & forward. But, please, Do Not leave our citizens behind.
For a start, all the leaders & leaders-to-be must step forward to serve and fight for the people's rights, well being and put 'Singaporeans First'.
A good leader leads his men. An excellent leader leads his men and share his dreams, aspirations and fears.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius
Sir Stamford Raffles probably foresaw and reflected on this trading post islet and trust that it will be a great
trading point between East & West.
Mr Goh Keng Swee and his team strongly believed that we can transform this sunny island into a gem-of-sorts. There must have been a success story somewhere on Earth that whatever we want to do and forge ahead, we can imitate, adapt and create our Destiny.
In the early days, there were few educated men and information were not readily available. Who would have believe that there is, and will have, such easy access to info via www.?
Singapore started as (and progress):
- a trading post - 1800s
- an entrepot point - 1900s
- a labour intensive hub - 60s-70s
- mechanisation, automation, financial and value-add centre 80s-90s
- technology, knowledge-base, financial, leisure & value-add metropolitan - 2000s
With progress, comes costs.
Our strings of disillusions, disquietness and discontent is not without reasons; many were left behind in the name of progress and (GDP)growth. Our Gini-coefficient widens by the year reflecting our gapping income disparity.
The untame influx of foreigners seeking fun, abode, fortune & jobs took their toll on infrastructure, space, income and citizenry rights & privileges. Income were suppressed and jobs became scarce while costs of housing, medicine & medical care, transport, education, food rose in general.
Dissenting voices (often heard in alternative media/www) became louder but their cries were dismissed as noises.
Knowingly or unknowingly, Singapore had moved towards labour intensive industries like hospitality, medi-care, education, tourism and the likes; we have come 'one full circle' by experience.
With a global unemployment of 200mil and more, we must seek to protect the interests and well being of our citizens, not out of selfishness but, by necessity; Singaporeans are citizens and PRs & others are foreigners. To anyone who thinks and says we are xenophobic, please show me a country, preferably yours, that practices such liberal 'open door' policies to allow foreigners to work and reside here.
It's time to move upward & forward. But, please, Do Not leave our citizens behind.
For a start, all the leaders & leaders-to-be must step forward to serve and fight for the people's rights, well being and put 'Singaporeans First'.
A good leader leads his men. An excellent leader leads his men and share his dreams, aspirations and fears.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Singapore; My Country, My Home
The toughness of being ...
There are cries about the tough lives and living conditions in Singapore.
Does anyone bothers or its just 'noises'?
Why & how did we reach this stage and how long can the people hold before they act to change their destiny?
Education, health costs, housing, transport and, to some extent, food are getting expensive and becoming less & less affordable to the poor, less able and bottom half of the population.
The stagnation of wages resulting from the onslaught of inflows of cheaper substitutes (foreigners who cannot find jobs back home & global unemployment, coupled with favorable exchange rates) have caused undue depression and stress to the body, the mind & the pockets. Statistics released showed that unemployed PMETs figures were higher last year.
When the economy was smaller, the pace was slower yet everyone was happy. Or at least, not unhappy. Life & living were stress-free. The corporatisation of Singapore Inc had monetize everything; land, labour, capital including emotion - 'no money, no honey'.
Class division is a norm despite denials.
The elites & the mandarins get choice deals and jobs.
The entrepreneurs grease the economy while the working class work support the system & feed themselves. Many dread the possibility of displacement.
The poor, less able, less fortunate and the fallen ones pick up the crumbs. Worse hit are those who are geared; living on borrowed time & resources.
What has become of our sunny island nation?
Boys at their economically & educationally prime are conscripted to serve & defend the country while foreigners their age are en-route to finish their Uni education. By the time our boys finish their education, the foreigners are, and have, already gained two years or more of working experiences.
Jobs are hard to come by; good paying jobs are the exclusives of the elites & the 'connected'. Alas! Our boys fight, defend & die for the nation while the elites & foreigners feast. I pray this is fiction!
The rich cannot live in a sea of poor. Similarly, the hungry soldiers cannot win any wars. No generals, leaders & tycoons can be an island unto themselves.
I am born, live (& will die) here. I love my country & this is my home. I will not allow my country to go down the drain. If words & cries fall on deaf ears & nothing changes, we must act to save our little sunny island-nation called Singapore for our future generations.
Saying "You are free to pack & go", "It's cheaper to have retirement homes in JB", "Gang rape, afterall, is democracy in action" or "That welfare will breeds dependency & it's some form of scam" may mean well, or nothing, to some but these statements are very short on EQs, care & concern.
Again, I pray that whatever I have written is fiction & my understanding of the real situation is completely different; how silly & shallow I was - still deep in my dream?
There are cries about the tough lives and living conditions in Singapore.
Does anyone bothers or its just 'noises'?
Why & how did we reach this stage and how long can the people hold before they act to change their destiny?
Education, health costs, housing, transport and, to some extent, food are getting expensive and becoming less & less affordable to the poor, less able and bottom half of the population.
The stagnation of wages resulting from the onslaught of inflows of cheaper substitutes (foreigners who cannot find jobs back home & global unemployment, coupled with favorable exchange rates) have caused undue depression and stress to the body, the mind & the pockets. Statistics released showed that unemployed PMETs figures were higher last year.
When the economy was smaller, the pace was slower yet everyone was happy. Or at least, not unhappy. Life & living were stress-free. The corporatisation of Singapore Inc had monetize everything; land, labour, capital including emotion - 'no money, no honey'.
Class division is a norm despite denials.
The elites & the mandarins get choice deals and jobs.
The entrepreneurs grease the economy while the working class work support the system & feed themselves. Many dread the possibility of displacement.
The poor, less able, less fortunate and the fallen ones pick up the crumbs. Worse hit are those who are geared; living on borrowed time & resources.
What has become of our sunny island nation?
Boys at their economically & educationally prime are conscripted to serve & defend the country while foreigners their age are en-route to finish their Uni education. By the time our boys finish their education, the foreigners are, and have, already gained two years or more of working experiences.
Jobs are hard to come by; good paying jobs are the exclusives of the elites & the 'connected'. Alas! Our boys fight, defend & die for the nation while the elites & foreigners feast. I pray this is fiction!
The rich cannot live in a sea of poor. Similarly, the hungry soldiers cannot win any wars. No generals, leaders & tycoons can be an island unto themselves.
I am born, live (& will die) here. I love my country & this is my home. I will not allow my country to go down the drain. If words & cries fall on deaf ears & nothing changes, we must act to save our little sunny island-nation called Singapore for our future generations.
Saying "You are free to pack & go", "It's cheaper to have retirement homes in JB", "Gang rape, afterall, is democracy in action" or "That welfare will breeds dependency & it's some form of scam" may mean well, or nothing, to some but these statements are very short on EQs, care & concern.
Again, I pray that whatever I have written is fiction & my understanding of the real situation is completely different; how silly & shallow I was - still deep in my dream?
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Enemies From Within
Nobody should underestimate the enemies...
What's our defense strategy? What's total defense?
We are always ready to defend and fend off attacks by enemies. But, who are our enemies and where will they come from? Our nearest neighbors are Malaysia & Indonesia and there are no reasons for them to conquer our tiny, sunny island.
With our arsenal of offensive weapons (air, sea & land) and our 'offense is the best defense' philosophy, our neighbors are the unlikely contenders. The damage will be too big and the tiny island is too small a prize for land-grab.
But, then its because we had built up an attacking force, with the ability to dish out maximum damage that deters potential enemies. Are we safe? Guess, we are!
But, the 'real enemies' are within.
How do you identify the enemies in a sea of foreigners co-mingling in Singapore? What if the million or so foreigners decided to gang-up and stir trouble with a view to create economic sabotage or to destabilize the country especially if Singaporeans are depress, demoralize and unity is lacking due to no income (jobless or unable to make ends meet) and no sense of belonging? Its not impossible.
By then, can we send them away by the boatloads?
Our country better stop importing foreigners and start to groom locals. We cannot deny that many Ops, Admin and white-collar jobs went to foreigners while our young grads & PMETs remain underemployed or unemployed. The provision of equitably paid jobs to Singaporeans is a necessity as our youths loss out two years (serving NS); ever wonder why many are questioning the purpose of NS nowadays?
If a leader cannot, or do not, care for the average man, the commoners and the soldiers, how do you expect them to support you in times of need? No general has ever won a war without soldiers! Care & share. The laymen are not begging for food nor welfare but asking to be treated equitably, fairly and to have a level playing field.
A good leader leads his men; an excellent leader eats with. and share, his men's dreams, fears & aspiration.
A wealthy man cannot live in a sea of poor.
Until the day my younger graduates friends find their dream jobs (nowadays, getting an interview is almost impossible, not to mention securing the job) and PMETs employment improves, its all talks and NO actions.
The ivory tower is too tall and the messenger is dead; only good news, not necessarily accurate nor real, are couriered upwards.
What's our defense strategy? What's total defense?
We are always ready to defend and fend off attacks by enemies. But, who are our enemies and where will they come from? Our nearest neighbors are Malaysia & Indonesia and there are no reasons for them to conquer our tiny, sunny island.
With our arsenal of offensive weapons (air, sea & land) and our 'offense is the best defense' philosophy, our neighbors are the unlikely contenders. The damage will be too big and the tiny island is too small a prize for land-grab.
But, then its because we had built up an attacking force, with the ability to dish out maximum damage that deters potential enemies. Are we safe? Guess, we are!
But, the 'real enemies' are within.
How do you identify the enemies in a sea of foreigners co-mingling in Singapore? What if the million or so foreigners decided to gang-up and stir trouble with a view to create economic sabotage or to destabilize the country especially if Singaporeans are depress, demoralize and unity is lacking due to no income (jobless or unable to make ends meet) and no sense of belonging? Its not impossible.
By then, can we send them away by the boatloads?
Our country better stop importing foreigners and start to groom locals. We cannot deny that many Ops, Admin and white-collar jobs went to foreigners while our young grads & PMETs remain underemployed or unemployed. The provision of equitably paid jobs to Singaporeans is a necessity as our youths loss out two years (serving NS); ever wonder why many are questioning the purpose of NS nowadays?
If a leader cannot, or do not, care for the average man, the commoners and the soldiers, how do you expect them to support you in times of need? No general has ever won a war without soldiers! Care & share. The laymen are not begging for food nor welfare but asking to be treated equitably, fairly and to have a level playing field.
A good leader leads his men; an excellent leader eats with. and share, his men's dreams, fears & aspiration.
A wealthy man cannot live in a sea of poor.
Until the day my younger graduates friends find their dream jobs (nowadays, getting an interview is almost impossible, not to mention securing the job) and PMETs employment improves, its all talks and NO actions.
The ivory tower is too tall and the messenger is dead; only good news, not necessarily accurate nor real, are couriered upwards.
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