PM Lee: What future do you want for Singapore?

[3Boys]

Edureach:

I agreed with all your pts except pt no.5 which you cleverly placed olympic gold medallist together with our foreign workers.

Olympic gold medallist is always considered a natural treasure, in yr above case he's a double medallist! We may not produce one in another generation without outside talents. For foreign workers, they came here with their eyes open, taking the opportunities offered by our beloved nation. We provide them with a conductive enviroment to develop their careers, making money, bringing up their families etc. While not being the only good nation, Singapore is one good place to live. So foreign workers are expected to bring something on the table otherwise our nation does not need them.

I hve had mentioned the value of an olympic gold medallist as much greater than a President scholar in the London games' thread.

Our nation must find ways to encourage earlier marriage and procreation. Our guys are prepared to lay down their lives to protect the President. Constituition and submit to orders from the government who are duly elected. Surely, all these noble activities must rank above the contributions from foreign workers no matter how much the latter can offer.

Of course i welcome foreign workers to contribute to our nation. However, it is not on the same level as outlined in my above arguments.

Hah hah Edureach, thank you. No, I hadn't intended to be naughty that way. But you are right, I did mix my metaphors, they are, as you say, different.

But on the workers bit, we only see the downside, we quite often fail to see the contributions to the overall economy apart from the labour they provide. There is a lot of intellectual capital that comes aboard. A lot of SMEs depend significantly on resident aliens for business also. We must not forget that when we look at the whole equation.

See, debate much more refreshing.

[GLORYmum]

See, debate much more refreshing. [/


But are you guys deviating for the thread??
The thread is meant for others to express their wish list for Singapore not debating over the worth of an Olympic medal.

[3Boys]

GLORYmum:

But are you guys deviating for the thread??
The thread is meant for others to express their wish list for Singapore not debating over the worth of an Olympic medal.

6) I wish that Singaporeans would not get too hung up on where our Olympic medallists come from and cheer their achievements instead.

I'm sure people disagree, so go ahead and bash.

[Kissgurami]

Daddy

Wah... U also sibei fierce one... Dun mess with u... :razz:

Let's say I followed the policies thoroughly but the rules were too stringent for a divorcee. the ask for compromise resulted in a few emails to the PMO office.

[concern2]

3Boys:

GLORYmum:

But are you guys deviating for the thread??
The thread is meant for others to express their wish list for Singapore not debating over the worth of an Olympic medal.

6) I wish that Singaporeans would not get too hung up on where our Olympic medallists come from and cheer their achievements instead.

I'm sure people disagree, so go ahead and bash.

:rotflmao: Some wish lists 'self-invite' the debates :rotflmao:

You know what they say about wishes - beware, or you may just get what you wish for! (together with the side-effects! )

[Kissgurami]

3Boys:

6) I wish that Singaporeans would not get too hung up on where our Olympic medallists come from and cheer their achievements instead.

I'm sure people disagree, so go ahead and bash.

:hi5:

We seem so concern whether they will ran away but maybe we should rejoice that by having a medalist, we can look forward in having them nurture our kids to be future Olympians.

:offtopic: but didn't Fandi part time to Jb as techncial advisor... and took on a more lucrative offer with Indonesian club Pelita Jaya.

[SilentHermit]

3Boys:

1) I wish Singaporeans would think about the impact of policy changes before suggesting them and raising a hue and cry when ignored


2) I wish Singaporeans would think before they hit the 'post' button on forums

Governing a country is a complex issue. Not many people can see the complex network of things, of how a single policy can affect other aspects of the societies. Usually people speak up about issues that are directly related to their industry, immediate environment or families. The job to really understand the impact of policy is to be done by the 130,000 strong civil servants, only they have access to real data. However, they must learn to do polcy recommendations with their hearts and with Singaporeans' interest at the center. In any case, policies in Singapore are not put to vote. Even if all oppositions vote against it in parliament, their numbers are so tiny and will not make a difference. Internet and forums have become an avenue for people to voice their concerns, different from last time when only coffee shop talks take place. Government should learn to read what people are saying in such venues, otherwise, they are going to miss the points again, just like before GE2011. Meanwhile, people should continue to speak their minds even it those issues are related to only their immediate community.

3Boys:

3) I wish Singaporeans would think about getting off their bums and doing something about an issue before complaining about it to ah gong

4) I wish Singaporeans will regain their 'can-do' spirit and just get on with getting things done instead of always looking for handouts.

For many years since nation independence, the government was allowed to do whatever they want. While most of the policies were good, some of them sucks, but because of their strong mandate and strong track record, they listen very little to us Singaporeans. Then came 1995 when internet was introduced here, a more educated population emerged at the same time, now things have changed. People began speaking up and as more and more people do, others follows - some mild in tone, some harsher in approach. When people feel that they have a stong cause to talk about, they start by sharing with people who are liked-minded (more societies, associations and social groups/networks are formed over time to represent their point of views) (getting off their bums to do something).. Unfortunately, because these civic/social groupings are usually small in size, their voice cannot make much of a difference. The truth is major voices from big unions and organized groups are usually moderated. Just take NTUC for example, the largest workers union here, who are/were the main people heading it? Be it a union or an industry association, as long as they are mentally pro-government, do not expect them to make much difference for ordinary folks. I would like to think that all these members joining unions and associations thought they were doing something to make a difference (getting off their bums to do something).

Internet, on the other hand, is not regulated and is free for all to voice their concerns 24/7. This is when you see the out pouring of unhappiness from people from all walks of life over the last years. While they are complaining or higlighting their concerns here or there, Singaporeans definitely are doing it at the same time, working hard and moving our economy (think where all the growth come from if Singaporeans do not have the can-do spirit)

Another can-do spirit we are also seeing is the trend of people joining opposition parties. If one do visit a opposition rally in GE2011, it will be clearer that Singaporeans are beginning to speak up and also seen to be speaking up, unlike my parent's time when they were afraid of some repercussion after speaking up.

Talking about handsout.. well, the truth is, Singapore government is very rich and who makes it so? It is none other than Singaporeans, past and present generations. We are all economic resources, channelled into producing economic results. Taxes, COE, ERP, GST, corporate tax.. you name it, are nothing without us, Singaporeans. What we are saying now is, look here, things have become lopsided, areas where we need to pay atention, please do something about it. Example of a focused usse can be Singaporean population declining, do something about it. More general issue would be like - we are stressed up! We are all stake holders here, those money belongs to us, not the government. Asking injection of funds into somewhere needed is not asking for free handsout, we are merely saying, due to some stupid policies, inability to address issues early, poor foresight, you have created a mess, lets try to fix it now. If the fixing requires money, so be it. That is how government all over the world balance things in the society, absolutely nothing wrong about it.

3Boys:

5) I wish Singaporeans would stop this 'us versus them' attitude to the foreigners who help build our nation, consume goods and services, and pay taxes. The British welcomed Mo Farah (5K/10K gold winner emigrated from Africa, trained in USA) into their fold, we should do the same to our sportsmen holding red passports.

In the area of foreigners, I will talk about it next time. But on the issues of foreign sportmans, I personally see no glory in getting a medal when it is won by some imports. I would be very proud of a Singaporean climbing a mountain or getting a medal, but not some talent head hunted from overseas to help us get that title. Honestly, I feel nothing when a medal is won that way.

SH

[GLORYmum]

In the area of foreigners, I will talk about it next time. But on the issues of foreign sportmans, I personally see no glory in getting a medal when it is won by some imports. I would be very proud of a Singaporean climbing a mountain or getting a medal, but not some talent head hunted from overseas to help us get that title. Honestly, I feel nothing when a medal is won that way.



1/3 of athletes in Team GB are immigrants from countries including Cuba etc.
GB surely more comopolitan than SIN?

[3Boys]

SilentHermit:

3Boys:

1) I wish Singaporeans would think about the impact of policy changes before suggesting them and raising a hue and cry when ignored


2) I wish Singaporeans would think before they hit the 'post' button on forums

Governing a country is a complex issue.

SH

Nice long post. Thanks! Its a matter of perspective on many of these. I'm a frustrated feedback-er like many Singaporeans, but I find the present approach taken by many pundits to be very unconstructive. It's not as if our economy is collapsing or we have rampant joblessness. Many of the problems we have are niggles compared to what many other countries face. As to the procreation issue, I better not say too much here, before all the women in the forum decide to castrate me!

In any case, I don't think you are being unreasonable.

Cheers

[Lilac66]

GLORYmum:

1/3 of athletes in Team GB are immigrants from countries including Cuba etc.
GB surely more comopolitan than SIN?

I agree. I see quite a few Chinese table -tennis players with the angmoh teams. Wondering if there's such \"backlash\" in their countries also.

It's all about getting the best person for the job and rewarding accordingly.