This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

Simply and succinctly put forth.

Tin Pei Ling, PAP’s youngest candidate for the 2011 General Elections, has attracted much attention since she was introduced on 28 March 2011. Aside from all the criticisms regarding her facebook photographs, it is time to ask ourselves, why is she probably the most hated candidate from the PAP slate for GE2011? Although everyone is ready to make a dig at p … Read More

via The Thinking Fish Tank

Reading the comments to http://laicite.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/what-the-elites-or-rather-elitists-think/ reminds me of the tragedy of the commons. It does not have a direct impact on the issues a certain individual dispute about BUT I think this entire serves as a timely reminder on what it means to be human or to be a person for that matter. What does it entail when we are a member of a society? (On impulse I just spent 68p to get the book. My second kindle purchase! Just realise I wasted my 68p some more, ah well)

For those not familiar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons. In short, this describe scramble in resource distribution in ecology (at least in my POV). Or read http://www.sciencemag.org/content/162/3859/1243.full?sid=15205536-ec3c-4083-bc89-d8dd315ef752

I have had countless of arguments with Leonard and now Eugene on whether it is right or wrong to help another. And now with the GE roaring around the corner, should I even be bother about the GE, considering that it matters little directly to me. Well, we are in a society and Singapore is my homeland will be my short answer.

Then again maybe my Uncle’s right, people who are too smart in certain things, well they just lack in others. I guess I have way TOO many interests.

Side note: straitstimes is that bad, people should stop lambasting it just because it is state controlled. My fellow singaporeans please wake up to the fact that politics is dirty. And dear Dr. Vincent, before you blast at our social welfare, can I ask how much have you done here, eloquent as you are, Michelle Lee certainly calls more deeply into my heart. On last note another death blow to Team PAP in Aljunied: http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/paps-cynthia-phua-and-her-most-famous.html, original article: http://www.asiaone.com/News/The+New+Paper/Story/A1Story20090507-139990.html. Well maybe TNP isn’t all that bad.

-wonght
Where has rationality fled to?

Before anyone starts to call me big headed, here’s a little disclaimer: all that I wish to represent here is what I take to be what I think should be, but not necessary the most correct opinion or stand on issues. There are definitely some statements which I make that is likely to run contrary to public opinion or good sense but here goes.

Not being in SG means that I am not likely to be in person to listen to the various rallies and what not. However this is rapidly solved by the advent of technology, be it on youtube or facebook or blogs. Those of us not being in SG are being constantly bombarded with opinions about the election from social media. At times some of these opinions are balanced but more often than not they are not. Yes I have also personally committed some ‘heinous’ crimes of thoughtless posting but to err is human! The hype around this GE is definitely not more or less than previous ones. Perhaps the only thing is that the scale has expanded, with more contest being seen. There is a whole repertoire of websites to date, solely meant to cover the GE, due to happen next Saturday. For those polling overseas, we get to see action one day before those on Singapore. These sites include: the official (http://www.ge.sg/), the anti-goverment (http://www.temasekreview.com/), the slightly more balanced (http://ge2011.theonlinecitizen.com/) and the critic (http://www.airconditionednation.com/home/GE_2011/GE_2011.html). This is but a tasting of the numerous sites one can visit to learn more about the ge, like yahoo news and all. I personally dislike the style of writing in temasekreview and cringe every single time I do read it, the online citizen at times but marvel at times and thoroughly enjoy airconditionednation.

First and foremost what I really like to remind people is that this is an election, this is politics, this is the real world. Despite me believing in utopia and perhaps PKs, politics never comes clean. For all those loving to propound the freedom of speech in the West, let me tell you this: there is plenty of mud slinging, plenty of lobbying through the press. The press is never neutral, such as BBC seemingly loving to paint the anarchist in better light than they deserve. The torres trying very hard to outdo the lib dem. Politics is dirty. You can never win if you stick to all the purported rules as stated or wanted by the public. Yes the PAP has done a lot of gerrymandering and all but is the opposition truly without guilt. There is no point in me trying to point out all the flaws in PAP’s arguments; this has been done to death by so many people (though there are some things which irk me still =P). Instead let perhaps look at some of the things the opposition is doing. Many who criticise the opposition, even PAP supporters just outrightly deny the opposition with little meaning. Since I am under MTI, perhaps lets look at some of the financial issues at hand. I personally do not comprehend why we cannot release our YOG spending. I think overrunning the budget was a combination of under-budgeting as well as not being prepared enough for such a huge event. But our minister should still come clean. Next is our sovereign fund. Although many call for its books to be open, I constantly wonder if there is intelligence in it at all. Yes they use taxpayers money but I think that they have gotten enough returns to be self sufficient without needing constant input of money. Releasing data of our sovereign fund has greater impact on our relations around us than within singapore. I cringe to think how much foreign intelligences can read from those activities and through careful measure block sg’s investments. We have to thread carefully here.

Being in MP grc, the opposition of interest to me would be my fellow alumni(since she is so loudly and enthusiastically supported over social media. Listening to her rally, one thing struck me. She spoke not like a person meant to rally support, she spoke more like a fanatic trying to push people into a revolution, not a peaceful kind but in a tone and matter somehow with the semblance of wanting to incite violence. That is the first thing I cannot take. Second many flawed arguments were thrown forward. Her comparison of cash in via gst and cash out via aid. Income redistribution does not mean that 100% of revenue collected needs to go back to the poor. We just need to ensure more is given out than what is taken in. And purlease, no governance has actually rolled back the gst, look more carefully and instead think of HOW to deal with the gst. Vat in UK is 20%… Next the grow and share. The idea is that the REVENUES generated through our sovereign funds and elsewhere are shared with the population NOT taken from reserves OR taken from the incomes that gst generates. Although these required the input of the populous’ money, it is not taken straight out as such. Bad point nicole, bad point.

Since my granny and actually my place used to be under aljunied, I think I wouldn’t be too cheeky to say that there is a high chance we might get redrawn into aljunied. =P In any case, I keep wondering why LTK choose to contest in aljunied of all grc. Sincerely, he bring little to the strong team and sincerely if he wants to help his party grow, he should try to garner as many seats as possible. As pointed out by some, he might be better placed in moulein-kallang. But let’s really question why aljunied. Firstly aljunied is touted to be the grc most likely to topple. Now considering that you are moving out of your stronghold, would you be keen to ensure that you have the highest chance to remain in parliament? Perhaps that is a better reason for why he picked aljunied over any other grcs nearby. I’m sorry LTK but my heart goes out to Chiam more but not mdm lina.

As one of my friends put it, we are between the devil and the deep blue sea. PAP is starting to lose its cool. As compared to 2006, PAP seems to have lost its cool a tat, instead of showing how good they are, they seem more keen to show how bad the other side is. MM is also starting to remind me of Mao and CR. Yet many new faces in PAP inspired nothing from me. Who then is better?

Many bread and butter issues are certainly important but this elections to me has shown that some times singapore has yet to mature to a first world society. Many dismiss me for being so harped up and concerned about high ministerial pay. I am personally quite against it though it does bring joy in my family since civil service is set to rise with it. I always feel how sad it is that many in the force are there to get money to study or just because that seemed like the only option to them. Is these the sort of people we really want to see becoming ministers? It will slowly be if we keep using high salaries to prevent corruption, at least in my humblest opinion. We should be concerned, very concerned as this is perhaps  one of the most deeply rooted question that may be the one issue that undermines our republic.

Perhaps Mr. Ngiam puts it best, we need to be more like athens, not sparta. But we should be careful of who we listen to in athens and not give in to the whims and fancy of all who come to pass. I think the first step is to have a good public service, a strongly non partisan one at that. The press needs to stop emphasizing on the point that EX government scholars are running for oppostion. Our PM should stop dragging in our civil service saying supporting PAP affects your chances of upgrading. It perhaps delight to see so many peers who are on scholarship who well elegantly put are more enlightened than most think they are.

Should we blindly vote in the incumbent? Should we vote in an opposition so that we can be a world class parliament? I do not say I have the best answer but given the choice now, I vote for RON.

Addendum: Tan Jee Say, come see the coalition working in UK first before saying anything more. Look at US, had to an emergency senate just to approve the budget to keep the country moving. Look at the AV debate. Seriously do you think that you are in touch? I think you are really the one up in an ivory tower. And my dear SM, respect as I have for you, is it necessary for you to speak out like this? I had hoped for more from a gentleman. Looks like no matter who we vote for, we seem to be sliding back. An old american saying goes: if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Yes we need a CREDIBLE opposition, but one who is only good at nitpicking and to scream at every little issue? Seems like that is what you will do if you come into power man. Face it people, gerrymandering comes with every democracy. You wanted all the goodness of a first world country without any of their woes? Face it, the UK has only recently been trying very hard to curb and change their immigration policies. Be realistic.

Lastly, so much for MM threatening Aljunied and saying they will regret it. Isn’t our opposition also threatening us? That we will have no elected opposition left if you don’t vote us in? Why must temasek review end some many pieces to that effect?

-wonght
As sincerely written

No I am not saying that I hate the PAP but as I listen more and more the political debates posted on CNA, one question comes to mind: how grounded are our leaders?

We are seeing an attempt to field more untested candidates who have upon introduction incurred the ire of the public. How well does this bode? Can these candidates have the mandate of the electorate? I sincerely doubt it.

Being in the UK, I watch as people riot against the austerity cuts and shaking my head at times in disbelief on how extreme people can be. The cuts makes sense, the cuts are needed, your economy is so bloated that I am surprise how enlightened intellects can think that the cuts are not necessary. Whether it is distribute or placed in the best possible manner, we know not. But one thing struck me as I was reading the newspaper the other day, David Cameron, from Eton, is sending his kids to a public school, not to one of those famed private we read about from Roald Dahl but public school. What significance does that make you ask? It means he trust the public education system.

Why does it matter here in Singapore then you may ask? Well the equivalent of Eton would be RI, HCI and other independent schools. With more funds they can choose to attract staff via pay. Surely they are geared to be better facilitied to have better education and opportunities. Yet our PM says that it matters not. You get a chance no matter which school you go to in Singapore. Why then do we have so much excessive streaming and division of school into bands. This runs contrary to his claims. Most importantly, you realise that none, if any, of their kids are being schooled in a non-independent school (the Lees that is). How can you be so sure then? Look at the population dynamics of the undergraduates; how many of them come from RJ and HC? Even here in Imperial, those who could afford to come comes from well to do families, coming from independent schools. Even rarer are those from polytechnic. There is certainly a distinction in which school you go and the education you can receive from each of them. So stop saying that it does matter and keeping using examples to bolster your statement. The realities on the ground show otherwise. If turning independent is not so attractive, why then do so many OVA members lament at us missing the opportunity to turn independent.

My dearest PM, is our education playing field that leveled?

-wonght
My humblest opinions.

Recently I was reading a thought provoking post shared over Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/notes/joel-joshua-goh/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/236626774675?ref=notif&notif_t=note_reply and the follow-up: http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/how-singaporeans-discuss-national-issues/

Reading them set me thinking about how shortsighted many people are, not the author but more of the people who comment at times. Although I have said my pennies worth on the issue and gotten shot down rapidly, I think perhaps I should spend some time delving more deeply into why I personally think we should not rush off to vote against PAP. I might not be the best judge for this but in this time of the IT generation, I think we should be allowed to air our thoughts freely.

Like most of my peers, I was quite sick of seeing a single party dominating our democratic country. Yes because of our stability, we can afford long term policies and can attract MNCs and so on. I had always envisioned myself wanting to vote against PAP (considering that I was in Aljunied GRC then and nothing was ever done to improve my estate) but now I don’t think I will pass judgement that readily.

A few things covered in the post includes the bloody as well as cloudy past of Singapore’s political history. Yes contrary to popular belief, PAP was founded NOT by LKY and popularised  NOT by LKY but by a long forgotten soul, Lim Chin Siong. Also few people know about harry’s famous operation to clean up the communist. Well yes the operation was brutal and cruel, not entirely humane. However one thing I feel is that we cannot always judge past actions with the moral scope of the present. We know naught about the situation and the conditions then. Yes it is condemnable but perhaps we should pepper it with a little more caution before plunging in to say it was wrong. Hiding it from the general masses is perhaps not entirely the doing of our education system, perhaps consider who were the first few authors of Singapore’s history – non-singaporeans. Even now most of what we are learning is not from the perspective of what makes up most of our heritage. We have had rich history before Raffles but nothing is being taught or conserved. I believe more singaporean historians like derek heng should stand out more and demand a revise on our history. Singapore was no founded by Raffles, Singapore existed and thrive before Raffles was here.

Second main train of argument is salary. That I fully agree and I thinking pegging pay is not the way to go. Our gini coefficient is high enough as it is, why help drive it higher. Pointless.

Lastly, yes Singapore needs change but not a revolution. Singapore no matter what is an Asian country with huge Confucianism influences, Singapore can scarely afford to put revolutions to work. Look to our neighbours and you can see that. China revolutionise with bloody civil war, Philippines had major disruptions from the show of People’s Power, and not to forget Sukarno’s removal from power. None of these revolutions in Asia has not set those countries back for some time. In addition, Myanmar to me serves as a timely reminder of what might happen if we try. Singapore cannot afford a drastic change – I seriously doubt that we can put through with our low local consumption rates (if it’s the wrong term pardon my lack of knowledge in economics). Can we afford to scare investors away?

With all that said, I must say that it is a well written argument. The only thing he hasn’t considered was perhaps this: are we just going for the lesser of 2 evils now? Do you really want someone like CSJ to become the head of state?

Just a thought.

-wonght
A slow accumulation of change leading to an evolution might be more suited.

Which so many rumours, lies and what not being perpetuate recently, I think it’s timely again to consider what is the truth, what is a lie and most importantly why humans lie. Admittedly I am no expert but I still firmly believe that the common man should be pondering about such issues as well as voice their opinions in some small way. Decisions by the masses may not be wrong all the time.

Evident from the entire incident over Fukushima, it is pretty obvious that a lot of bad reports are going out. Being in a country which is enjoying free press, I cringe at times reading what is publish in the Star or the Daily Mail (there are others just I haven’t read them before so shall reserve my comments). And when I read some MrKennethTong’s tweets, it makes me wonder why has the lying trait not yet been eliminated from our population.

Newspapers are written to sell. And sell they must or they are doomed. Of course many depend on their advertising dollar, some like mediacorp shamelessly asked their advertisers to buy up advertising slots around news time for maximum exposure. To top it up, other than sex, the best thing to sell is negativity, to sell fear or anger, not joy nor positivity. I guess that is simply because we humans take it all in very fast, we somehow crave for such things. It does make some sense evolutionarily. We used to live in communities where we need to be in tune to bad things to be ready to fight or flight. But now we have left that age. With so much more stability in life, we shouldn’t be too worried about some of the basal requirements of life at least for most of us. Why then do we do so?

I guess that is simply because the ignorant is not being selected against with little to no selective pressure against humans. In addition the trait of lying can be seen somewhat as a evolutionary stable strategy, we still need to lie from day to day. Sadly although I think otherwise, utopia is never going to happen until there is uniformity throughout human mindsets as well as strong selection pressure against any mutants that may arise. Since that is highly impossible, then liars are here to stay no matter how much we feel against them.

Our evolutionary arms race has left us with too many relics which has become so fixed in our population that correction seems improbable. We need to consider perhaps how we with our foresight and intellect can slowly reduce and eliminate such nasty behaviours. We can still have these innate behaviour but highly suppressed such that it will only surface when absolutely needed.

Am I to say I am a saint who has never lied? I doubt anyone can. I certainly have lied a lot in life, omitting the truth and trying to cover up quite a few times BUT when it comes down to something important, I do try to tell the truth despite the consequences it may bring at times. Perhaps, there is why people can’t always work with me. I guess that is something I can live with.

That brings me to the next part, is it worth it to help others when you clearly know that they haven’t been entirely truthful. I guess not but I truly have no answer to that. So if anyone has a solution, pray do tell.

-wonght
Ignorant is bliss. I’m afraid not…

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

I highly doubt that this is a situation unique to me. Have you ever been betrayed by people you trust before? I highly doubt that this is anything that no one has experienced. I have had many things happened to me, but one thing that has always shone through was my naiveness to believe in people. But I digress.

Each of us have a moral compass within us, one which should not be ignored but definitely can be ignored. All our compasses are unique, its bearing differing slightly. Yet when you find one that resonates quite close to yours, you know that that is someone you can trust and believe in. However, there are just too many people who cloak their true north too well.

I have but a simple question to throw to anyone who reads this post: how far are you willing to support your friend despite knowing he/she is in the wrong? How far is too far, where does that threshold lies?  Can you still treat the person as a friend despite knowing that you were manipulated for their ends? Would you call out on someone, to unmask that person, to make known to all what he/she is truly like? How far should we go to tear off that mask? Might we be so fearful of the true face that the mask would have been something we can live with more? Is knowing the truth really necessary?

Personally I have a threshold to how much ‘immoral’ stuff I can take. Once it is breeched, things are simple, I react. Not always reacting in the best of ways but at least I know I will regret less in time to come. So is it really Veritas vos liberabit. Or does truth hurt so much that we rather it be depressed.

Why are I so concerned now? Simply because of this, the person I thought to be a friend now has power. Power only serves to corrupt, as such how much further down this degeneracy can one go before one loses his/her soul?

Perhaps an explanation can be found by appealing back to evolution. Evolution drives us to survive better, to increase reproductive fitness. Thus being nice might not be evolutionary good in the short term although it is the evolutionary steady state. Perhaps we haven’t reach our steady state yet.

-wonght
Cogito ergo sum – I think therefore I am.

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password: