Sunday, May 07, 2006
I'm really proud to be a Singaporean; I really do. No, it's not National Day syndrome come early but just a pride that's within me. Yup, it may seem unbashful but I'm not afraid or ashame to declare that I love my country very much. Moreover, you'll feel a greater sense of pride when you here foreigners praising your country and this is what I've been experiencing here. What I've heard so far from the locals are nothing but praises for Singapore. It's really something very remarkable and wonderful that people from other countries think so highly of Singapore.
Well, I really think that we've got everything to be proud of in our little country that we call home. To start, I personally think that we've one of the best government in the world. I'm not sucking up but I really think so. We really have them to thank for what we have today. The fact that you're able to read this post really say a lot of our government; this considering the majority of the world population do not have a computer let alone the Internet. We all can wake up everyday knowing that there's no riot or civil unrest and that there's an excellent transportation awaiting us. Singaporeans lament of the high car prices but I don't see people deterred into buying a car. Yes, there are those who aren't able to afford it, but which country in the world has citizens who can afford a car?
Some say that Singapore still has people living below the poverty line, but again, which country doesn't. What is for sure is that there are steps taken to try to reduce the number of people in that category. However, those living below the poverty line are probably still better off than those below the line in our region. Arguments have arisen about the pros of introducing the welfare system. Do they see that the West is having problems with the welfare system? To run a welfare system would require billions a year. Who is going to come up with the money? Are Singaporeans willing to have a tax increase by at least a 100%? Are we prepared to have an income tax of at least 30% for the lowest tax payers? And that's excluding the CPF contribution. Imagine being taxed 40% for income and GST raised to 10 to 20%. How about needing to pay for say a report from the government. By report I mean things like police report etc. Yes, some welfare countries have to pay almost $50 to have their police report printed. Imagine forking out $50 to pay for the report so that you can replace your personal documents that was pickpocked from you.
It's really amazing how people are so fortunate that they forget the source of their fortune. It's easy to say that one's success was a result of their hard work. But have they forgotten how they got the work and skills for it? Why are MNCs willing to set up companies here? Have we gotten so fortunate that we begin to take things for granted? It's scary to hear people wanting to vote for the opposition so that the current government will not be cocky. Remember, these people acknowledge that the government is good but want to use their vote to keep them in check. How stupid can you get. What if the current government lose people in key positions because of such voting? I sincerely hope that these people will not blame the government but themselves for the consequence. One of Singapore's main asset is it's political stability. Any signs of instability can have dire consequence on our economy. I'm not brain washed by government but am just trying to look at it objectively and it does make sense.
Yes, I have to admit there are things that I don't like about Singapore, but that's more of the uncivilised behaviour of some Singaporeans. It's really sad to read about how some Singaporeans are acting as though they just came from some uncivilised place. I liken them to dogs. Why? Have you noticed how dogs eat? They eat very fast and protectively (basically gobbling their food) because it's in their genetics to prevent others from taking away their food; their animal instincts at work. This is happens even if they're in the most pampered environment. They can't help it because it's their instincts, maybe that's why some Singaporeans act that way too(in the same line), it's in their animal instincts. But sometimes, I think animals are more civilised than some Singaporeans.
A lament that some Singaporeans have is how much the government controls or restricts them. But is it really true? It's common belief that Singaporeans are afraid to speak up to the government, fearing that they'll get into trouble. I think that's just unfounded. The government will not do anything to you if you raise points based on facts and have constructive feedback. What will get you into trouble is making factless comments and the tone of it. If you start using an accusing tone to push through some false comment, you shouldn't blame them for taking action. Do you expect your teacher to award you marks for giving the wrong answer? In any arena, there are rules to abide. Play by the rules and you'll be fine. Singapore has so many channels to give feedback, I wonder how many of the people who claim that the government wouldn't listen to them used those channels. I think some of them just want to critise but not do anything about it or are too lazy to do anything.
he spoke at 10:00 am
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
I am really amazed when people say things like swim wear like the bikini is morally bad because they make girls want to go all out to slim down so that they can look good in them (which of course may lead to eating disorder). They go on to say that bikini should be banned from beauty pageants etc. What I find fascinating is that they out the blame on the bikini. But come on, if the person is on the huge side, it can be seen if she wears a one piece swimsuit too. Afterall, swimsuits are all body hugging. How much difference would a bikini make? You mean by wearing the one piece swimsuit, people will look thinner? I highly doubt so.
I think that neighbours over here really fits the stereotype of most Asian students coming over here and buying car. The Hongkongers here also fits into the stereotype of students from richer countries buying fast cars. The guys living opposite room just fits into both. Tiu Lei as I call him, along with his brothers, own three cars. The worst and cheapest being a new Mazda Two. Next cheapest would be the Nissan Skyline and the most expensive would be the Honda Integra. You guys must be wondering why I call him Tiu Lei, it's because one night a few weeks back, he was quarrelling with his dad super loudly. Think everyone from our two blocks started looking out. He was shouting "tiu lei pa!" like almost every alternate sentence.
Anyway, because of people like him, think I can safely say that in my estate, there is an average of at least one car per unit. The Asians here are more likely to drive bigger cars too. Most of them will drive things like Honda Accord, Toyota Camery etc. But than come to think of it, the locals in my half of the estate do drive big cars too; with my property manager (whom I call lao playboy) driving a Saab convertible.
he spoke at 1:21 pm