Presidential Election 2011

[Nebbermind]

Upz for todayz!

[b2b3m4]

3Boys:

Foreigners are an easy target for inflation. I believe the current inflationary pressures are more stoked by the world macro-economic situation and availability of easy money than any influx of foreigners.

You really prefer to be in the US at this time, where every man, women and child owes one creditor nation or another many 10s of thousands of dollars, where the unemployment rate approaches 20%+ in some communities? How well integrated are the foreigners there?

The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn't it? I know people in the US, many look at our situation, with low crime, strong reserves, and no political gridlock, with envy.

I know we are on to a good thing here, and I can't think of a better place to raise my kids than SG.

Now expatriates kids that were raised in Singapore and went on to study in their own countries are coming to find jobs in Singapore. Many overseas graduates are coming back too. Why? Because the opportunities here are better.
WE are no longer talking abt FT coming from the Philippines or China. We are talking abt FT coming from Europe and America working on local terms with no expatriat terms.
These expats grumble abt our govt, restricted media, high living cost but they are still here. With globalisation we can't stop the employers from employing these FTs, other than upping our skills and compete with them.
The govt can put in rules and regulations to make it difficult for companies to employ FT over locals (which is already in place). But they can't shut them out entirely. By doing so, we are just regressing to the point of China in the past. Special visas required just to enter the country. And question everybody's intentions of entering the country.
To put it simply, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Daddy D]

Interesting read in today's ST, on the debate between TT and TCB...

Hope my vote counts.

[mummyo]

3Boys:

You really prefer to be in the US at this time, where every man, women and child owes one creditor nation or another many 10s of thousands of dollars, where the unemployment rate approaches 20%+ in some communities? How well integrated are the foreigners there?

The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn't it? I know people in the US, many look at our situation, with low crime, strong reserves, and no political gridlock, with envy.

I know we are on to a good thing here, and I can't think of a better place to raise my kids than SG.

Yes. The grass is always greener on the other side. There are many reasons to move, not just the political climate of any country and of course there are pros and cons with every place and it's what you can live with.

I'm not saying I'd rather move to the US per se but I am looking for countries I might possibly move to.

And in researching the countries that are easiest to immigrate to, our country is one of the easiest in the world! :slapshead:

[Mrsbongz]

Strparent:

Chenonceau:

I like TKL best... not sure about TT (after the Patrick Tan issue) and TJS is not convincing... at least to me.

Chenonceau,

I like him too, but I think he seriously has a personal agenda. He has been harping against the govt for quite some time now, even during the recent GE...and he wasn't even running for MP.

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Elections/Story/A1Story20110815-294573.html, and sad to say, it affirms my personal belief that he is not the most eloquent EP candidate, and does not really fit into this high positioned title.

but, kudos to him for trying to be the voice of the people ( as he said in the speech ), but that is not what the President is about.

Actually I feel that of all the candidates, only TT qualify... from the way they speak their mind plainly without diplomacy these few mths.. can't imagine any of the others hosting pple like Obama or China... if any of the rest get elected, GOVT better spend money training them up before they speak out of turn at the international level. The president is not just to serve the nation, but to represent Singapore to international govt...

[3Boys]

verykiasu2010:

3Boys:

I would like to nominate....Ms Chua Mui Hoong for Presidential candidate......


She can be the attack dog for Law Minister in that role........

can clarify a bit more ?

vks, have a look at her editorial in ST today. I don't know how others feel, but even for a pro-estab guy like me, just felt like attempted subtle electioneering, but done so clumsily!

So gag-worthy on two counts, electioneering from an ST editor, and clumsy journalism.

[Strparent]

Mrsbongz:

Actually I feel that of all the candidates, only TT qualify... from the way they speak their mind plainly without diplomacy these few mths.. can't imagine any of the others hosting pple like Obama or China... if any of the rest get elected, GOVT better spend money training them up before they speak out of turn at the international level. The president is not just to serve the nation, but to represent Singapore to international govt...

That is so not true, in my opinion. If well prepared, yes, but on many impromptu situations, he does not show confidence nor assurance on his own views. Have you actually seen the recent and real TT in action ? http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22784&start=350, in my opinion.

Strparent:

I think most people like him still think of TT as the image which our media has projected him to be many years ago. Dignified ? impressive ? speaks well ? Has anyone actually been following all his recent public appearances ? many cling on to the old hero image they have from the past, which the media glorified.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16AWNQUzwDs&feature=related
Sounded more like talking in circles, instead of a clear concise confident response, in my personal opinion.

1amber:

With professional make over, any popeye and olive can be transformed.

I think the priority is still our national issues, not just to look good on the international stage. Having said that, I feel TCB is naturally the most impressive, in his views and image. He is showing that he is very concern with the people and despite his previous alliance with PAP, he is not a yes-man nor blind follower.

For me, TKL leaned too much on political and government issues, TJS tries to steer away, but the hints are there. TCB is the most pragmatic so far, staying neutral and on course to the President's roles. TT is just selling himself with his CV.

My choice will defintely be either TJS or TCB.

[concern2]

3Boys:

mummyo:

They have given subsidy after subsidy in order to placate the public. What we really need is to keep the cost of living affordable but since they have let in too many foreign talents in too short a time, and not enough infrastructure like transport and housing to deal with the influx, it's driving prices up.

Now that the floodgates have opened, they can't possibly ship everyone back home. And they are telling us we will not be a competitive economy if we stop the foreign influx but at what cost? Only the ministers' pay are pegged to GDP growth, what about the normal Singaporean?

And we are not stupid, we know we need foreign talent to boost the economy but not just ANYONE who wants to come. FT are supposed to add value, not destabilise our way of life.

Sorry if I seem I'm ranting... :rant:

I just told my husband just now over dinner that I think we should consider emigrating. I ask myself why I didn't have the foresight of going to the states to give birth like my SIL did. :gloomy:

Foreigners are an easy target for inflation. I believe the current inflationary pressures are more stoked by the world macro-economic situation and availability of easy money than any influx of foreigners.

You really prefer to be in the US at this time, where every man, women and child owes one creditor nation or another many 10s of thousands of dollars, where the unemployment rate approaches 20%+ in some communities? How well integrated are the foreigners there?

The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn't it? I know people in the US, many look at our situation, with low crime, strong reserves, and no political gridlock, with envy.

I know we are on to a good thing here, and I can't think of a better place to raise my kids than SG.

3Boys, I agree with you! Although I do have some dissatisfaction, if given a choice, I would still choose to bring up my kids in Singapore. The grass is always greener on the other side.

I used to think of emigrating, but I realized that if I choose to do that, I'll be doing that wherever I go. Instead, I put faith in this country and try my best to voice by voting for the people who make the choice to take action, who stand up and speak my voice.

[limlim]

3Boys:

mummyo:

[quote=\"1amber\"]In my view PAP has embraced quick fixes and short term benefits over long term betterment of our country.

:goodpost: well-said

And they're so so afraid to lose power that they've lost the real plot a long time ago.

Actually this is pretty preposterous.

The easiest, short term thing the government can do to stay in power is to take the short term view and do the popular thing by spending, subsidising and putting up barriers, so-called 'protecting' Singaporeans. Its also called 'kicking the can down the road.' Also known as 'bowing to public pressure.'[/quote]You forgot one thing.. all these costs MONEY..

I don't believe in welfare state.. So I agree with some of their \"style\"..

However, I don't believe everything they do is for the best interest of the pple.. the peasants..

That, is the main issue..


Temasek Holding, CPF, GST, YOG.. etc etc........

[Angelight]

Hmmm...interesting choice of candidate. I'll ask her to consider standing for the next PE.

3Boys:

I would like to nominate....Ms Chua Mui Hoong for Presidential candidate......

She can be the attack dog for Law Minister in that role........