Are you ready for 7 million people on tiny Singapore?

[3Boys]

WeiHan:

3Boys:

And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high.

This is plainly incorrectly. Our spending in health care and education is the lowest in percentage of GDP among developed countries.

He was making reference to the region.

You are free to provide rankings and per capita figures.

[Mdm Koh]

3Boys:

Mdm Koh:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]You distract from the point. The point is not about whether $3 billion is the right number, the point is that the g'ment puts more back into healthcare than it takes out in GST, much much more. They are not, as you put it, making money off people in healthcare.


So don't fixate on the GST!

Anyhow, I don't really aim to convince you, since you seem very set in this view, but I think it's barking up the wrong tree.

When did I say that? :?

Well, here...

Mdm Koh:

I think exemption of GST on healthcare can be done; it's whether the government wants to do it. It's much more comfortable for them to maintain high revenues, but at what cost to the people?

If you think the g'ment is not making money off people overall, then what's the issue with GST?[/quote]All I am saying is, it is more comfortable for for the government to maintain high revenues which include the collection of a value-added tax on medical services. If they do away with this source of revenue (no matter how small you think it is, your suggested percentage is inferred and unproven), the overall revenue figures will be affected and they will not look good.

However, while it is clear that GST on a $100 hairdressing service is valid, when it comes to essentials like healthcare, the pros and cons need to be carefully weighed. There are different viewpoints on the matter, so I do not think that you should dismiss my view as \"barking up the wrong tree\" or one that is based on clouded judgement.

I believe you know that a VAT like the GST is problematic. It has its critics and it is not applied for essential goods and services in a number of countries. It is unpopular because it affects people's lives negatively. But that is not to say that it has no merit at all. I think the important thing is to balance its economic efficacy with its impact on the citizens.

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]

And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high.

This is plainly incorrectly. Our spending in health care and education is the lowest in percentage of GDP among developed countries.

He was making reference to the region.

You are free to provide rankings and per capita figures.[/quote]This issue is well known and has been raised many times by both NMP and opposition party members.

I think we don't have to rank it. Singapore is among the last in the world comparable to oppressive regimes that don't give a hook to their citizens in term of health care spending.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jun/30/healthcare-spending-world-country

[limlim]

3Boys:

limlim:

How would I not understand this. If one wanna get a foreign spouse, one shd willingly pay the cost.

Geez....did you even reflect before you said that???

Did the pple who kpkb even go thru or experience (self or close friends/relatives) the hassles of having a foreigner spouse?

I did, as I mentioned I went to ICA and at times more in a year than your total trips to renew passports combined.

And I tell you, it is not as fun as queuing for passport (which essentially is fuss free as the efficient govt make it for Singaporeans). Did you ever joined a queue OUTSIDE ICA building at 0750hrs on a Saturday morning?

As someone(not saying you, not personal) who never go thru all these, I wonder they kpkb so much for what.

If I get a foreigner spouse, I am prepare to go all the way. That little inconvenience meant nothing. I have essentially experienced all the hassles and inconvenience.

So, what is it you expect me to reflect on?

Why am I beginning to feel the Singaporeans are indeed too pampered.. Want foreign spouse and expect residency delivered in a platter? A given?

There is no barrier to true love. If he/she is worth it, go for it.

Different story if it is marriage of convenience. It is really NOT convenient.

[limlim]

Harlequin:

pirate:

[quote=\"limlim\"]How would I not understand this. If one wanna get a foreign spouse, one shd willingly pay the cost. I believe I have visited the ICA more times than you go and renew your passport, for all kinds of stuffs at level 4 with my friend.


Cannot tahan a bit of inconvenience?

Ya lor. Must discourage Singaporeans from marrying foreigners from those low class countries. We don't want them muddying the pure bloodlines of true blue Singaporeans.

Must marry up, cannot marry down :siam:[/quote]\"Low Class\"?

They already send a man to space, SG didn't even come close to that. What kind of childish remark is that..

[3Boys]

Mdm Koh:

3Boys:

[quote=\"Mdm Koh\"]

When did I say that? :?

Well, here...

Mdm Koh:

I think exemption of GST on healthcare can be done; it's whether the government wants to do it. It's much more comfortable for them to maintain high revenues, but at what cost to the people?

If you think the g'ment is not making money off people overall, then what's the issue with GST?

All I am saying is, it is more comfortable for for the government to maintain high revenues which include the collection of a value-added tax on medical services. If they do away with this source of revenue (no matter how small you think it is, your suggested percentage is inferred and unproven), the overall revenue figures will be affected and they will not look good.

However, while it is clear that GST on a $100 hairdressing service is valid, when it comes to essentials like healthcare, the pros and cons need to be carefully weighed. There are different viewpoints on the matter, so I do not think that you should dismiss my view as \"barking up the wrong tree\" or one that is based on clouded judgement.

I believe you know that a VAT like the GST is problematic. It has its critics and it is not applied for essential goods and services in a number of countries. It is unpopular because it affects people's lives negatively. But that is not to say that it has no merit at all. I think the important thing is to balance its economic efficacy with its impact on the citizens.[/quote]
Mdm Koh, you are free to derive your own figures, you will get nowhere close to 10%. In lieu of you coming to your own numbers, I ask that you grant me the courtesy of accepting the figure as being extremely generous. You can check the provided links and come to your own conclusions, it's all there.

And there is nothing wrong in charging GST in healthcare if you eventually give it back as subsidies and grants.

[limlim]

Harlequin:

Never. Cos I always declare.

But I have seen people being caught.... unpacked and bagged in luggage. Note that they can summon your credit cards statement, once they tell you that, then you better own up. These are usually the luxury designer items lah.

Summon credit card statement for what? Go overseas cannot buy personal stuff overseas?

Buy for personal consumption, need to pay GST? never heard of before.

[3Boys]

limlim:

Harlequin:

Never. Cos I always declare.

But I have seen people being caught.... unpacked and bagged in luggage. Note that they can summon your credit cards statement, once they tell you that, then you better own up. These are usually the luxury designer items lah.

Summon credit card statement for what? Go overseas cannot buy personal stuff overseas?

Buy for personal consumption, need to pay GST? never heard of before.

Yet another uninformed statement.

You bring back goods from overseas, personal usage or not, is declarable at customs if exceed $400.

[limlim]

3Boys:

limlim:

[quote=\"Harlequin\"]

Never. Cos I always declare.

But I have seen people being caught.... unpacked and bagged in luggage. Note that they can summon your credit cards statement, once they tell you that, then you better own up. These are usually the luxury designer items lah.

Summon credit card statement for what? Go overseas cannot buy personal stuff overseas?

Buy for personal consumption, need to pay GST? never heard of before.

Yet another uninformed statement.

You bring back goods from overseas, personal usage or not, is declarable at customs if exceed $400.[/quote]Oh ok.. next time bring Cash.. :evil:

[3Boys]

limlim:

3Boys:

[quote=\"limlim\"]
How would I not understand this. If one wanna get a foreign spouse, one shd willingly pay the cost.

Geez....did you even reflect before you said that???

Did the pple who kpkb even go thru or experience (self or close friends/relatives) the hassles of having a foreigner spouse?

I did, as I mentioned I went to ICA and at times more in a year than your total trips to renew passports combined.

And I tell you, it is not as fun as queuing for passport (which essentially is fuss free as the efficient govt make it for Singaporeans). Did you ever joined a queue OUTSIDE ICA building at 0750hrs on a Saturday morning?

As someone(not saying you, not personal) who never go thru all these, I wonder they kpkb so much for what.

If I get a foreigner spouse, I am prepare to go all the way. That little inconvenience meant nothing. I have essentially experienced all the hassles and inconvenience.

So, what is it you expect me to reflect on?

Why am I beginning to feel the Singaporeans are indeed too pampered.. Want foreign spouse and expect residency delivered in a platter? A given?

There is no barrier to true love. If he/she is worth it, go for it.

Different story if it is marriage of convenience. It is really NOT convenient.[/quote]But to what end???