What I hate about the current Singapore

[BeContented]

3Boys:

Edureach:

To say that our govenment is striving to be more popular as suggested by some contributors in this instance is incorrect in my opinion.

Whether or not some advance countries are more attractive to live than Singapore is an area that depends on individuals and their aspirations. There's no such thing as one size fits all.

Edureach,
I know of specific policy tweaks that are underway whose MAIN aim is to garner votes for the next election, long term consequences be damned. If that is not populism, I don't know what is. If we as citizens only continue to look out for what's best for us as individuals, then, this is the only way to g'ment can respond to keep in power.

As to your second point, I agree, different strokes for different folks. I have no rancour for anyone choosing to uproot and leave for greener pastures, any more than I have for people choosing to come and make Singapore their new home.

I do not know of any policy, but this is the feeling I'm getting these days too......govt is responding tooooo readily to demands cos we seems to be hearing all the comments/threats such as
- if nothing is done, govt will lose my vote
- you will know at next GE etc etc.
:sad:

[fightingmom]

3Boys:

All this negativity. I think quite a number of Singaporeans are blinkered in their world view. Contrary to the title of this thread, I love being a Singaporean, and I am so glad my boys are born here, as opposed to ANYWHERE else in the world. Come the time, they will serve their NS, as I have. Don't see why it's such a big deal to so many about NS. It is a duty, just do it.


Yah, you may hate the g'ment, whatever issues you have with them, but you can't deny their overall effectiveness. Being in Europe on vacation this last month, just kept bumping into Singaporean youths, at the attractions, in the restaurants, out together with their friends, as opposed to the China tourists who are middle-aged to older, in package tours groups. How would that even be possible without economic strength?

There is plenty to celebrate about being a Singaporean, it is my best home, for me and my family, and I mean it.

:celebrate: YES! Am rooted here and this is the place i call home.

Whenever we went overseas for holidays, always feel happy when it is time to come home. :rahrah:

[wonderm]

BeContented:

3Boys:

[quote=\"Edureach\"]
To say that our govenment is striving to be more popular as suggested by some contributors in this instance is incorrect in my opinion.

Whether or not some advance countries are more attractive to live than Singapore is an area that depends on individuals and their aspirations. There's no such thing as one size fits all.

Edureach,
I know of specific policy tweaks that are underway whose MAIN aim is to garner votes for the next election, long term consequences be damned. If that is not populism, I don't know what is. If we as citizens only continue to look out for what's best for us as individuals, then, this is the only way to g'ment can respond to keep in power.

As to your second point, I agree, different strokes for different folks. I have no rancour for anyone choosing to uproot and leave for greener pastures, any more than I have for people choosing to come and make Singapore their new home.

I do not know of any policy, but this is the feeling I'm getting these days too......govt is responding tooooo readily to demands cos we seems to be hearing all the comments/threats such as
- if nothing is done, govt will lose my vote
- you will know at next GE etc etc.
:sad:[/quote]That's my impression too.

[Musings]

3Boys:

All this negativity. I think quite a number of Singaporeans are blinkered in their world view. Contrary to the title of this thread, I love being a Singaporean, and I am so glad my boys are born here, as opposed to ANYWHERE else in the world. Come the time, they will serve their NS, as I have. Don't see why it's such a big deal to so many about NS. It is a duty, just do it.


Yah, you may hate the g'ment, whatever issues you have with them, but you can't deny their overall effectiveness. Being in Europe on vacation this last month, just kept bumping into Singaporean youths, at the attractions, in the restaurants, out together with their friends, as opposed to the China tourists who are middle-aged to older, in package tours groups. How would that even be possible without economic strength?

There is plenty to celebrate about being a Singaporean, it is my best home, for me and my family, and I mean it.

:celebrate: I totally agree. Was in Europe for 2 weeks in Brussels, Austria, Germany and I felt terribly unsafe walking alone on the streets when DH was attending his business meetings. The train station/ subway stations were filled with many homeless/unemployed people/illegal immigrants. The streets and public transport were old and dirty and you have to be on your guard all the time against pickpockets etc.

DH's European colleagues shared that many Europeans are 'fleeing' Europe for Asia due to economic uncertainty and social issues which the EU is unable to resolve. In my industry, this is already very evident from the tons of resumes we get from US and Europe.

Strangely, when I went to Europe in university or in the early years of working life, left with impression that Europe was so exciting culturally etc. It still is but now I also recognise the social issues and the problems plaguing the European societies. I realise what has changed from then is that now, as a parent with young children, I value things like security, cleanliness, orderliness etc and I am so glad to be raising a family in Singapore and not in seemingly more 'exciting' places in Europe, US, UK.

[oxyleo]

Edureach:

Our government is reaching out to the electorate and have been adjusting some of its previous policies that did not go down well with the citizens.


To say that our govenment is striving to be more popular as suggested by some contributors in this instance is incorrect in my opinion. In fact, we hve a govt that is run mainly in the interest of our nation and hve been proven to be effective despite being unpopular in some areas.

Whether or not some advance countries are more attractive to live than Singapore is an area that depends on individuals and their aspirations. There's no such thing as one size fits all.

As for me and my family, we are rooted here.

I agree with Edureach on this.

As a whole, I see our government as responding to national needs, rather than being populist.

I also am impressed with our government on the whole for recognizing a change of the times and the need to be more engaging rather than adopting a top-down approach in policies.

It takes good leadership to adapt and to possess great flexibility.

I agree too that whilst there are several grouses here and there, this is still our home. Similar to how most of us would view our family - for better or for worse, they are all we've got, and we are all they've got! Likewise it should be for our country.

Loving Singapore is not just a feeling that comes and goes, it is our Responsibility as a Singaporean to love our country.

[3Boys]

oxyleo:

I agree with Edureach on this.

As a whole, I see our government as responding to national needs, rather than being populist.

I also am impressed with our government on the whole for recognizing a change of the times and the need to be more engaging rather than adopting a top-down approach in policies.

There have a few things that have come down recently in my industry from the perm sec level that have been outright populist.

The days of hard-nosed, formidable policy-making are over, and we will be the poorer for it.

G'ment, if any of you are reading this, STOP pandering please.

[corneyAmber]

3Boys, not sure what you are referring to in your industry but if you want a call for action, it is better to be specific. Like oxyleo, I welcome the open mindedness of the government to look into areas of improvement. They are not managing from the ivory towers and their exposures are far and wide. So I believe it is not just for popular votes but really looking at national issues that can potentially become serious issues.

[3Boys]

ksi:

3Boys, not sure what you are referring to in your industry but if you want a call for action, it is better to be specific.

Sorry, I can't.
Never used to happen, it is happening now. Populist policy making. Distressing. Damaging.

[3Boys]

3Boys:

ksi:

3Boys, not sure what you are referring to in your industry but if you want a call for action, it is better to be specific.

Sorry, I can't.
Never used to happen, it is happening now. Populist policy making. Distressing. Damaging.

Don't know if you have seen this --> http://wp.sg/2012/07/debate-on-lta-amendment-bill-mp-png-eng-huat/

but I call your attention to this;

8. We must send a message to these operators that it will not be business as usual after the gifting of the 550 additional buses that comes complete with drivers and full maintenance. Because at the end of the day, the commuters should be the one smiling and not their shareholders.

Populist statement, aimed at voters, hailed by many on TOC.

In other words, stick it to the PTOs and the shareholders.

If this is what we want, this is what we will get.

Maybe you are cheering, but I feel a cold chill down my spine.

[limlim]

3Boys:

ksi:

3Boys, not sure what you are referring to in your industry but if you want a call for action, it is better to be specific.

Sorry, I can't.
Never used to happen, it is happening now. Populist policy making. Distressing. Damaging.

hmm let's look at what are some of the non-populist policies..

Ah.... privatized the profits, nationalize the cost..

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1184572/1/.html

I have no issues with Govt spending on public transports.. But, in the first place, the public transport should not be privatized..