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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

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