What I hate about the current Singapore
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3Boys:
Same same for some of the things the govt do.
I wish I could share more here, but when you say \"makes no sense\", you are completely right. Singaporeans say and do many things that make no sense.limlim:
why would you spend $ on a piece of useless equipment or medicine you do not intend to eat and solely profit the doctor or hospital just bcoz the money is from medisave?
really makes no sense right? -
3Boys:
You did not answer the main point in the post.. WHY rather sell assets then to cash out on the reserve?
I didn't know France and Japan were about to wage war with Singapore.
The refineries on Bukom are owned by Shell, BP and others. I figure we should take them all back then? Who is at the losing end here? If any of those countries were to turn hostile, how difficult would it be to take those facilities back? Might as well say we don't buy our Air Force jets from the US in case they decide to sabotage them.
For e.g. if you got $ in the bank, would you rather sell one of the bedroom in your house or cash out the $ in the bank first if it is urgent?
Let's not talk about whether your bedroom occupier will sabo you or not.. or you sell it to someone who looks \"ok\" to you.
WOULD you SELL your bedroom rather than cash out a fraction of the $ sitting in the bank? -
I've been here since 2002...PR now; my wife and daughter are SC (daughter is a dual citizen). I have no complaints here, though the cost of housing and owning a car are extremely high compared to where I grew up in the US, north of New York City. As far as everyday expenses, I find them quite reasonable...food, general merchandise, public transport. Of course, imported brand names...even quite common brands back in the US are very expensive (especially wine
).
On the other hand, I am amazed at the overall quality of life, the booming development everywhere, and the relative quality of judgement and vision of political leaders in general here with regard to maintaining and driving economic growth, sustainable and reasonable development, etc. When I first arrived here, there was no NE or Circle Line MRT, no Esplanade, MBS, RWS, Changi Airport had only Terminals 1 & 2...and Singapore is light-years ahead of all other countries in the region in terms of per capital income, standard of living, low crime, low corruption -- despite its tiny size and lack of its own resources.
I do note a dramatic population increase in the past 10 years...seemingly from mainland China and the Philippines in particular...and not just maids and construction workers either. I do not see this as a particularly negative thing... -
usa-sing-1:
I do note a dramatic population increase in the past 10 years...seemingly from mainland China and the Philippines in particular...and not just maids and construction workers either. I do not see this as a particularly negative thing...
care to share why you do not see this as a particularly negative thing...? -
onemore:
If immigration is controlled to meet the demands of a growing economy, I don't see a particular issue. For example, if foreigners are used to fill low-end jobs or manual labour jobs that most Singaporeans would disdain, or used to fill high-tech, highly specialised positions -- R&D, specific industries, world-renowned leadership, cutting-edge scientists, etc. -- which is not necessarily available locally -- I don't have a problem with that. Likewise for entrepreneurs, local or foreign, who set up legitimate businesses. I don't see a need, however, to specifically import foreign talent in areas where I believe Singapore already has sufficient talent -- such as accountancy, middle management, basic IT functions, etc. (Of course, you will always have some of that as long as Singaporeans marry foreigners who settle here).usa-sing-1:
I do note a dramatic population increase in the past 10 years...seemingly from mainland China and the Philippines in particular...and not just maids and construction workers either. I do not see this as a particularly negative thing...
care to share why you do not see this as a particularly negative thing...? -
usa-sing-1:
Agree with the earlier part.
If immigration is controlled to meet the demands of a growing economy, I don't see a particular issue. For example, if foreigners are used to fill low-end jobs or manual labour jobs that most Singaporeans would disdain, or used to fill high-tech, highly specialised positions -- R&D, specific industries, world-renowned leadership, cutting-edge scientists, etc. -- which is not necessarily available locally -- I don't have a problem with that. Likewise for entrepreneurs, local or foreign, who set up legitimate businesses. I don't see a need, however, to specifically import foreign talent in areas where I believe Singapore already has sufficient talent -- such as accountancy, middle management, basic IT functions, etc. (Of course, you will always have some of that as long as Singaporeans marry foreigners who settle here).
For the part highlighted in blue, PMETs in particular.. it lowers the cost of running business that benefits the rich, and cause wage suppression for the local peasants. -
limlim:
i think usa-sing-1 is no local peasant and therefore this point may not be applicable in his perspective...
Agree with the earlier part.usa-sing-1:
If immigration is controlled to meet the demands of a growing economy, I don't see a particular issue. For example, if foreigners are used to fill low-end jobs or manual labour jobs that most Singaporeans would disdain, or used to fill high-tech, highly specialised positions -- R&D, specific industries, world-renowned leadership, cutting-edge scientists, etc. -- which is not necessarily available locally -- I don't have a problem with that. Likewise for entrepreneurs, local or foreign, who set up legitimate businesses. I don't see a need, however, to specifically import foreign talent in areas where I believe Singapore already has sufficient talent -- such as accountancy, middle management, basic IT functions, etc. (Of course, you will always have some of that as long as Singaporeans marry foreigners who settle here).
For the part highlighted in blue, PMETs in particular.. it lowers the cost of running business that benefits the rich, and cause wage suppression for the local peasants. -
limlim:
not true on the part of accountancy
Agree with the earlier part.usa-sing-1:
If immigration is controlled to meet the demands of a growing economy, I don't see a particular issue. For example, if foreigners are used to fill low-end jobs or manual labour jobs that most Singaporeans would disdain, or used to fill high-tech, highly specialised positions -- R&D, specific industries, world-renowned leadership, cutting-edge scientists, etc. -- which is not necessarily available locally -- I don't have a problem with that. Likewise for entrepreneurs, local or foreign, who set up legitimate businesses. I don't see a need, however, to specifically import foreign talent in areas where I believe Singapore already has sufficient talent -- such as accountancy, middle management, basic IT functions, etc. (Of course, you will always have some of that as long as Singaporeans marry foreigners who settle here).
For the part highlighted in blue, PMETs in particular.. it lowers the cost of running business that benefits the rich, and cause wage suppression for the local peasants.
graduates from NUS, NTU, SMU all add up still not enough to meet the work place requirement
also not entirely true to say lower PMET cost of running biz is to benefit the rich. A lot of the SME are owned by not-rich Singaporeans trying to sustain the biz and not to close shop, and it provides lower cost product / services to the local economy.
wage suppression ? another way to look at it is some people are over paid, grossly overpaid, hence the lower cost looks like wage suppression.
next gripe : (I say first without waiting for you to say it) housing cost - the high cost is due entirely to market-based pricing to derive the \"market-subisidy\" but there is no turning back without major market disruption to HDB resale price which would then cause many owners to go into negative equity. the market-based subsidy is no subsidy and is an unstoppable runaway train -
Here’s what I LIKE:
-Low crime
-Low corruption
-Low income tax rates
-High standard of living
-Weather (yes it’s hot and humid but I will take that over the 5+ month range of freezing cold, snow and ice where I grew up)
-Highly developed, globalized economy – goods and services available from just about anywhere
-Well developed hub for regional and global flight connections to most major cities
-Good urban planning and sensible development of infrastructure (roads, utilities, housing, schools, medical facilities, shopping and entertainment)
-Politically stable environment, generally competent, forward-looking leadership (which I would say that NO other country in the region has, to the same degree…and many countries around the world are deficient in this as well)
THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMPROVED:
-I would like to see Singapore not only maintain its prominence as a global trade centre/business hub, but I would also like to see it become more renowned for cutting edge arts, sports, and other entertainment…it is slowing evolving toward this
-I would like to see more cutting edge thought and innovation with regard to useful products, services, inventions, etc. Intellectual capital plays a major role in shaping Singapore’s future…it needs to foster more of that innovation locally. It is trying to do so with pharmaceuticals and other areas…decent progress but needs to evolve more. -
usa-sing-1:
What is \"High standard of living\" :?Here's what I LIKE:
-Low crime
-Low corruption
-Low income tax rates
-High standard of living
-Weather (yes it's hot and humid but I will take that over the 5+ month range of freezing cold, snow and ice where I grew up)
-Highly developed, globalized economy -- goods and services available from just about anywhere
-Well developed hub for regional and global flight connections to most major cities
-Good urban planning and sensible development of infrastructure (roads, utilities, housing, schools, medical facilities, shopping and entertainment)
-Politically stable environment, generally competent, forward-looking leadership (which I would say that NO other country in the region has, to the same degree...and many countries around the world are deficient in this as well)
THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMPROVED:
-I would like to see Singapore not only maintain its prominence as a global trade centre/business hub, but I would also like to see it become more renowned for cutting edge arts, sports, and other entertainment...it is slowing evolving toward this
-I would like to see more cutting edge thought and innovation with regard to useful products, services, inventions, etc. Intellectual capital plays a major role in shaping Singapore's future...it needs to foster more of that innovation locally. It is trying to do so with pharmaceuticals and other areas...decent progress but needs to evolve more.
Only know \"high cost of living\"...
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