In the end go back to ONE CONCLUSION : ALLOW MORE FOREIGN INFLUX OR ELSE...Grace Fu declared Singaporeans 'bread and butter issues' are not for the National Conversation. ...so the PAP does what it wants and pass the problems to us?!
Where is the solution for Singapore's retirement woes? - more people cost of living will shoot up how to retire?
Where is the solution for high medical cost? A few days back one bout of meningitis which is not uncommon, set a family back $130K....how come high medical cost is not a problem.
Where is the solution for high housing costs?
Where is the solution for structural unemployment?
Where is the solution for high cost of living?
All these problems are worsened by the foreign influx. Before all these problems are solve, the PAP keep saying they want more influx. How can? Is this reasonable position to take?
Shows how addicted the PAP is to cheap foreign labor and GDP growth. Singaporean's quality of life is SECONDARY, what ever comes ORDINARY Singaporeans have to just accept. This is just not right especially when the elites occupying high posts in corporations are set to reap almost all of the gains from such policies. Such policies are unbalanced and do not benefit ordinary Singaporeans.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
National Conversation = TALK IN CIRCLES....
Friday 12 October 2012
Australia really so good?.....
Yesterday suddenly got a call from Sec 2 classmate saying Andrew one of my classmate sho emigated to Australia wanted to meet up ...he is back in Singapore for holiday. My memory of Andrew is very vague. I just remember hs nickname 'chao hee' which mean smelly ear in hokkien.Andrew dropped out of Sec 2 to go ITE to get his NTC qualifications worked as a mechanic until he emigrated to Australia with the help of his uncle. He has been there for ten yrs.
Our meeting place was Buffet Town at Raffles Place. Andrew told us a lot of stories about moving to Melbourne ....how he learned skiing, work for some ang moh at a workshop . He said pay is much. higher than Singapore ....can buy landed proprty drive a Camry etc. He started showing pictures of his car house wife and children. ....like a bit boasting like that. Then he asked the rest of us how we are doing...I told him I used to workat fastfood restaurant but now jobless still living with my mother. others updated him on how their life is in Singapore....out of 6 pple from our Sec 2 class who remained in spore only 1 person drive car and biggest home was 3room flat. Andrew looked at us like we somewhat pathetic and said leaving singapore before it became overcrowded was the best decision in his life...then he went on and on abt how good Australia is....
At some point I couldn't tahan so I countered....if Australia so good why this woman called Amy Cheong come all the way from Australia to work here and live in HDB flat with void deck?....Andrew was quite taken aback but he pointed out that once she had no job here she flew straight back to Australia so difference is really abt jobs...Australia pay much better for skilled labor but people without specific skills like Amy Cheong.
Our meeting place was Buffet Town at Raffles Place. Andrew told us a lot of stories about moving to Melbourne ....how he learned skiing, work for some ang moh at a workshop . He said pay is much. higher than Singapore ....can buy landed proprty drive a Camry etc. He started showing pictures of his car house wife and children. ....like a bit boasting like that. Then he asked the rest of us how we are doing...I told him I used to workat fastfood restaurant but now jobless still living with my mother. others updated him on how their life is in Singapore....out of 6 pple from our Sec 2 class who remained in spore only 1 person drive car and biggest home was 3room flat. Andrew looked at us like we somewhat pathetic and said leaving singapore before it became overcrowded was the best decision in his life...then he went on and on abt how good Australia is....
At some point I couldn't tahan so I countered....if Australia so good why this woman called Amy Cheong come all the way from Australia to work here and live in HDB flat with void deck?....Andrew was quite taken aback but he pointed out that once she had no job here she flew straight back to Australia so difference is really abt jobs...Australia pay much better for skilled labor but people without specific skills like Amy Cheong.
Sunday 7 October 2012
S. Korean Gangnam Style vs PAP Style
1. S. Korea became an fully democratic country in 1998 dumping all remnants of past authoritarianism. Singapore still not fully democratic.
2. S. Korea believe in developing own people educating each one to highest level. Today 60% of Koreans are graduates. The PAP capped the number of people educated to university to below 30% per cohort less than half that of koreans. Then use govt funds to educate children of foreigners free of charge. Many Singaporeans unable to go to university have to raise money to go overseas.
3. S. Korea believe in strongly in equality. Minimum wage is implemented for workers who are free to form unions and protest against unfairness.
4. S. Korea cares for its old and sick. Every citizen is protected under a universal health care system and nobody is left out.
5. S. Korea faces direct threat of war from N. Korea. Despite this it does not overspend on defense. Its defense budget is US$27B - Singapore spends on a per capita basis several times that amount. Its National Service is 21 months and it is ready for war any time.
6. When faced with fall in fertility rate, the koreans did not import foreigners to make up the numbers but implemented measures to try to reverse the problem.
7. Instead of importing cheap labor to keep backward industry, the S. Koreans relocated these industires to China and Vietnam rather than flood their country with foreign influx.
8. Koreans build their industry ground up instead of bringing in multinationals and dependence on foreign money.
Today Koreans are world beaters their achievements in electronic industry is disproportionate to the size of their country of 50M people. In culture, even Britney Spears is learning Gangnam style dance....what more can we say. As for democracy, it is one of the few things they imported and they made it better - with 60% of the people as graduates, voters cannot be treated as sheep.
When S.Koreans build casinos, they legislated that only foreigners can gamble in the casions and only locals can work there. In Singapore's casinos, you find more locals gambling and foreigners working in there - they are owned and run by foreigners ...ARE WE S_TUPID?
Today they are world beaters. When they shed their authoritarianism, they did not sink but rose to the top of the world in many areas - yet our leaders tell us we cannot be fully democratic, we cannot allow protests, we cannot get rid of ISD. The Koreans got rid of all those and now they send us GANGNAM STYLE...oh what excuse do our leaders have to continue to deny us!
2. S. Korea believe in developing own people educating each one to highest level. Today 60% of Koreans are graduates. The PAP capped the number of people educated to university to below 30% per cohort less than half that of koreans. Then use govt funds to educate children of foreigners free of charge. Many Singaporeans unable to go to university have to raise money to go overseas.
3. S. Korea believe in strongly in equality. Minimum wage is implemented for workers who are free to form unions and protest against unfairness.
4. S. Korea cares for its old and sick. Every citizen is protected under a universal health care system and nobody is left out.
5. S. Korea faces direct threat of war from N. Korea. Despite this it does not overspend on defense. Its defense budget is US$27B - Singapore spends on a per capita basis several times that amount. Its National Service is 21 months and it is ready for war any time.
6. When faced with fall in fertility rate, the koreans did not import foreigners to make up the numbers but implemented measures to try to reverse the problem.
7. Instead of importing cheap labor to keep backward industry, the S. Koreans relocated these industires to China and Vietnam rather than flood their country with foreign influx.
8. Koreans build their industry ground up instead of bringing in multinationals and dependence on foreign money.
Today Koreans are world beaters their achievements in electronic industry is disproportionate to the size of their country of 50M people. In culture, even Britney Spears is learning Gangnam style dance....what more can we say. As for democracy, it is one of the few things they imported and they made it better - with 60% of the people as graduates, voters cannot be treated as sheep.
When S.Koreans build casinos, they legislated that only foreigners can gamble in the casions and only locals can work there. In Singapore's casinos, you find more locals gambling and foreigners working in there - they are owned and run by foreigners ...ARE WE S_TUPID?
Today they are world beaters. When they shed their authoritarianism, they did not sink but rose to the top of the world in many areas - yet our leaders tell us we cannot be fully democratic, we cannot allow protests, we cannot get rid of ISD. The Koreans got rid of all those and now they send us GANGNAM STYLE...oh what excuse do our leaders have to continue to deny us!
Singapore has to try to catch up with Malaysia on quality of life....
Recently, Malaysian govt announced that mammograms for women will be made free to prevent breast cancer.
SIngapore must try to catch up with Malaysia on quality of live. Although we are a small country with little resources we cannot allow ourselves to lack too far behind our neighbors. Already many compare themselves with their relatives in Malaysia and find the gap building up.
Quality of life in Singapore keep getting lower and lower. Trnasport system become like cattle transport. Housing become shoebox. Medical care become unaffordable. We cannot continue sinking like this otherwise the gap between us and Malaysia will keep growing. The govt should intervene before this becomes too big and quality of life erode further here in Singapore.
1. 70%-80% of Malaysians with family can own car. In Singapore only 30%. Having a car means quality of family life is much higher as a father can drive his family around to go places. Govt must enable more families to own car to make life better for families here. Imagine bring stroller, toddler up a crowded bus with inconsiderate people who don't give up their seats.
2. Housing. Malaysians incur debt for housing that take half the time to pay off vs Singaporeans. Most of their housing is landed property and private apts. Singapore much try to catch up with Malaysia in provision of quality spacious housing to its citizens. I don't see it happening because be keep getting overcrowding from foreign influx. Hopefully HDB can do something here so that we can close the gap with Malaysia in this area.
3. In Malaysia, NS is only 3 months. Although we pay more than double to buy weapons to have technology advantage, our NS is 2 years - that is 8 times longer than in Malaysia. While I agree we need a lead in defense, we need to think properly in this area. 2 years is a big loss for Singaporeans - after serving NS some of us can't even get into university and scholarships are given free to foreigners to get degree and compete against us. This causes negative morale and sentiment which undermines the whole intent of NS. We cannot put Singaporeans at such a big disadvantage in life by training foreigners using scholarship to compete against our own people ...then expect them to sacrifice their life in times of war. It is a ridiculous situation.
4. In Malaysia medical is 6-8 times cheaper than in Singapore. In Singapore public hospitals we are often treated by pinoy nurses and China doctors at a much higher cost. For elderly, treatment is free in Malaysia. While affordability of medical is low in Singapore to discourage people from getting sick, we cannot assume people will not get sick. When they get sick the financial burden is very heavy especially the old who have no income. I sincerely hope Singapore can catch up with Malaysia in this area.
5. Most Malaysians can afford to retire at 55 or 60 yrs old while many Singaporeans cannot retire and work until they die. Hopefully things improve in Singapore but we cannot be optimistic here.
6. Studies show that Singapore has the highest stress and longest working hours. We also have falling productivity of labor. Malaysia has rising labor productivity and less stress working environment. Stress can kill and causes low fertility. Constant fear of losing jobs to foreigners add to Singaporeans' worries.
In Malaysia the Chinese have the lowest fertility but even Malaysian Chinese have far higher fertility than Singapore Malays who have the highest fertility among Singapore races. All races in Malaysia beat all Singapore races for fertility. That is because quality of life in Malaysia is much better than overcrowded Singapore where things keep worsening. Hopefully with new measures we can close the gap between Singapore and Malaysia.
SIngapore must try to catch up with Malaysia on quality of live. Although we are a small country with little resources we cannot allow ourselves to lack too far behind our neighbors. Already many compare themselves with their relatives in Malaysia and find the gap building up.
Quality of life in Singapore keep getting lower and lower. Trnasport system become like cattle transport. Housing become shoebox. Medical care become unaffordable. We cannot continue sinking like this otherwise the gap between us and Malaysia will keep growing. The govt should intervene before this becomes too big and quality of life erode further here in Singapore.
1. 70%-80% of Malaysians with family can own car. In Singapore only 30%. Having a car means quality of family life is much higher as a father can drive his family around to go places. Govt must enable more families to own car to make life better for families here. Imagine bring stroller, toddler up a crowded bus with inconsiderate people who don't give up their seats.
2. Housing. Malaysians incur debt for housing that take half the time to pay off vs Singaporeans. Most of their housing is landed property and private apts. Singapore much try to catch up with Malaysia in provision of quality spacious housing to its citizens. I don't see it happening because be keep getting overcrowding from foreign influx. Hopefully HDB can do something here so that we can close the gap with Malaysia in this area.
3. In Malaysia, NS is only 3 months. Although we pay more than double to buy weapons to have technology advantage, our NS is 2 years - that is 8 times longer than in Malaysia. While I agree we need a lead in defense, we need to think properly in this area. 2 years is a big loss for Singaporeans - after serving NS some of us can't even get into university and scholarships are given free to foreigners to get degree and compete against us. This causes negative morale and sentiment which undermines the whole intent of NS. We cannot put Singaporeans at such a big disadvantage in life by training foreigners using scholarship to compete against our own people ...then expect them to sacrifice their life in times of war. It is a ridiculous situation.
4. In Malaysia medical is 6-8 times cheaper than in Singapore. In Singapore public hospitals we are often treated by pinoy nurses and China doctors at a much higher cost. For elderly, treatment is free in Malaysia. While affordability of medical is low in Singapore to discourage people from getting sick, we cannot assume people will not get sick. When they get sick the financial burden is very heavy especially the old who have no income. I sincerely hope Singapore can catch up with Malaysia in this area.
5. Most Malaysians can afford to retire at 55 or 60 yrs old while many Singaporeans cannot retire and work until they die. Hopefully things improve in Singapore but we cannot be optimistic here.
6. Studies show that Singapore has the highest stress and longest working hours. We also have falling productivity of labor. Malaysia has rising labor productivity and less stress working environment. Stress can kill and causes low fertility. Constant fear of losing jobs to foreigners add to Singaporeans' worries.
In Malaysia the Chinese have the lowest fertility but even Malaysian Chinese have far higher fertility than Singapore Malays who have the highest fertility among Singapore races. All races in Malaysia beat all Singapore races for fertility. That is because quality of life in Malaysia is much better than overcrowded Singapore where things keep worsening. Hopefully with new measures we can close the gap between Singapore and Malaysia.
Saturday 6 October 2012
Singapore's Economy has MAXED OUT
This article is found in TREmeritus but originally published in SeekingAlpha an investment website.
The full article is found here:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/905081-singapore-s-economy-is-maxed-out
It explains how Singapore has maxed out its resources.
1. Singapore workers work extremely long hours highest in developed countries and at least 30% more hours than US and Japan.
2. It shows the demographics is right now at the peak workforce size level. and will flatten and decline.
3. It shows population density is already abnormally high levels higher than the most density populated US city NYC.
4. Based on this the author says Singapore economy is MAX-ED out.
However, there are many flaws in the article:
1. The PAP govt can import people despite our demographics to force the economy to grow.
2. The PAP govt is unconcerned with the overcrowding effects of high density. It can just make the people shoulder increasing cost of living.
3. The article did not mention the Singapore income inequality which is the highest in the developed world. This is usually a hindrance to growth in democratci countries due to protests and unhappiness among populations. However, the PAP holds enormous propaganda power and authoritarian power to suppress such situations.
My conclusion is this is a good article but not a complete article on Singapore's economy.
The full article is found here:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/905081-singapore-s-economy-is-maxed-out
It explains how Singapore has maxed out its resources.
1. Singapore workers work extremely long hours highest in developed countries and at least 30% more hours than US and Japan.
2. It shows the demographics is right now at the peak workforce size level. and will flatten and decline.
3. It shows population density is already abnormally high levels higher than the most density populated US city NYC.
4. Based on this the author says Singapore economy is MAX-ED out.
However, there are many flaws in the article:
1. The PAP govt can import people despite our demographics to force the economy to grow.
2. The PAP govt is unconcerned with the overcrowding effects of high density. It can just make the people shoulder increasing cost of living.
3. The article did not mention the Singapore income inequality which is the highest in the developed world. This is usually a hindrance to growth in democratci countries due to protests and unhappiness among populations. However, the PAP holds enormous propaganda power and authoritarian power to suppress such situations.
My conclusion is this is a good article but not a complete article on Singapore's economy.
Wednesday 3 October 2012
TRUTH about Eldercare Center and JB nursing homes....
Recently, it is reported that the govt is building 100+ elder care centers around Singapore. Mainstream media make it sound so good, old folks will be fetched from their homes and cared for at the Eldercare centres and then the van will send them home. Then the govt harp on some people opposing such elder care centres near their home - very ugly people, very selfish, think only about themselves not abt elderly SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! I also feel shameful to be Singaporean when I hear these people's objection to elderly care near their homes....it is very stupid because you go to all the elderly care centres, the old folks are cared for INSIDE the center and they seldom come out or walk around. But there is ONE THING, more shameful than these Singaporeans who oppose elder care near their home.
First ask you ONE SIMPLE QUESTION : With so many Eldercare centres around Singapore...how come so many Singaporeans send their old to nursing homes in JB? Do you know WHY? This is ONE THING not revealed in Main Stream Media when they write beautifully about Eldercare centre making it look like the PAP govt is going all out to care for our seniors. If that is so why are JB nursing homes crowded with elderly from Singapore?
I also don't know this until my friend told me. One month ago my friend Johnny, aged 45 yrs old called me. He told me he needed to borrow $500 urgently. He was a trusted old friend don't say "borrow" even if "give", I'm okay to do it. I was more concerned if he ran into trouble. I met up with him, I give him the $500 first then asked him what happened. He told me he slipped and injured his elbow. Because of injury, he had to wear a cast and was given MC. Because he couldn't do OT and the medical bills, he was short of money. How he ended short of money? 1 year ago, his mom could no longer care for herself so he enroll her into a Eldercare Centre. The centre charges $1200 per month leaving him with less than $500 to spend on himself. Luckily, he is single and don't have family to support.
$1200 per month for a place in Eldercare center...now you understand why people who cannot afford send their parents to JB.
One minister openly declare that earn $1000 per month can own HDB flat. My friend make $1500-$1700 depending on how much OT. He can't even feed himself when something unexpected happens.
This magic $1000 can buy flat, support family, send elderly parents to Eldercare....the PAP govt live in another world not in our world.
First ask you ONE SIMPLE QUESTION : With so many Eldercare centres around Singapore...how come so many Singaporeans send their old to nursing homes in JB? Do you know WHY? This is ONE THING not revealed in Main Stream Media when they write beautifully about Eldercare centre making it look like the PAP govt is going all out to care for our seniors. If that is so why are JB nursing homes crowded with elderly from Singapore?
I also don't know this until my friend told me. One month ago my friend Johnny, aged 45 yrs old called me. He told me he needed to borrow $500 urgently. He was a trusted old friend don't say "borrow" even if "give", I'm okay to do it. I was more concerned if he ran into trouble. I met up with him, I give him the $500 first then asked him what happened. He told me he slipped and injured his elbow. Because of injury, he had to wear a cast and was given MC. Because he couldn't do OT and the medical bills, he was short of money. How he ended short of money? 1 year ago, his mom could no longer care for herself so he enroll her into a Eldercare Centre. The centre charges $1200 per month leaving him with less than $500 to spend on himself. Luckily, he is single and don't have family to support.
$1200 per month for a place in Eldercare center...now you understand why people who cannot afford send their parents to JB.
One minister openly declare that earn $1000 per month can own HDB flat. My friend make $1500-$1700 depending on how much OT. He can't even feed himself when something unexpected happens.
This magic $1000 can buy flat, support family, send elderly parents to Eldercare....the PAP govt live in another world not in our world.
Sunday 30 September 2012
Poem - Working Class Father...
Oh daddy how come we have no car?
Because it is too expensive, my son.
How come my friends father all drive?
Why do must we take MRT and bus?
Because daddy does not earn not enough.
Oh daddy, where are we going this holiday.
Son, we are going to Lego Land in Malaysia.
Malaysia again? I want to go to Europe and America.
How come my friends get to go so faraway?
Why is it always Genting and that lagoon in Sunway.
Oh daddy, why don't you make more money,
So we can stay condo and eat sushi.
I'm tired of hawker center and kway teow mee.
I want better, daddy please give to me.
Oh daddy, you look so tired and drained,
Did your FT boss scold you again?
Oh daddy, please up your productivity.
Try to get promoted and earn more money.
How come other people's dad so capable,
Drive BMW and live in private condo.
Their children all get private tuition,
While I struggle through my education.
On their body are branded creations/
Why must I wear imitation?
Cheap pasar malam clothing,
I think is skin irritating.
Oh daddy, you quarrel with mom today,
You gambled all housekeeping money away?
4D every week you must play?
Why don't you work harder to earn more pay?
Why do I have a father with no degree,
Look down upon by our capitalistic society.
Every month struggle to make ends meet,
So many OTs and no-off weeks.
Still, the cost of living rise faster than he can earn,
Numerous new things he has struggle to learn.
Deep inside I know he tries his best,
He struggle so hard and never rest.
Late night shifts for a few dollars more,
For those new pair of shoes I wore.
I know no matter how hard he cannot catch up,
They overrun him with cheap foreign imports.
Younger workers with whom he must compete,
Bullied at work he dare not speak/
Oh daddy, you look so worried today,
You deep wrinkles are a giveaway.
Oh daddy, what is on your mind?
Your foreign boss again unkind?
Did they humiliate you at workplace,
Say you're too slow too old nowadays?
Oh daddy, I'm okay to take bus and MRT
I don't mind living in H-D-B,
I don't want any holiday to Europe,
No need branded shoes and clothes.
I know whatever it is you still love me,
That's enough for me to be happy.
I just want again to see your smile,
For me you went the extra mile.
A working class father nothing is easy,
Every dollar you sweated for the family.
Others can look down on our poverty,
But we will stand up proudly,
For you are the ones that work the hardest,
They rob when they pay you the lowest.
But every working class father is truly
The backbone of our economy.
Because it is too expensive, my son.
How come my friends father all drive?
Why do must we take MRT and bus?
Because daddy does not earn not enough.
Oh daddy, where are we going this holiday.
Son, we are going to Lego Land in Malaysia.
Malaysia again? I want to go to Europe and America.
How come my friends get to go so faraway?
Why is it always Genting and that lagoon in Sunway.
Oh daddy, why don't you make more money,
So we can stay condo and eat sushi.
I'm tired of hawker center and kway teow mee.
I want better, daddy please give to me.
Oh daddy, you look so tired and drained,
Did your FT boss scold you again?
Oh daddy, please up your productivity.
Try to get promoted and earn more money.
How come other people's dad so capable,
Drive BMW and live in private condo.
Their children all get private tuition,
While I struggle through my education.
On their body are branded creations/
Why must I wear imitation?
Cheap pasar malam clothing,
I think is skin irritating.
Oh daddy, you quarrel with mom today,
You gambled all housekeeping money away?
4D every week you must play?
Why don't you work harder to earn more pay?
Why do I have a father with no degree,
Look down upon by our capitalistic society.
Every month struggle to make ends meet,
So many OTs and no-off weeks.
Still, the cost of living rise faster than he can earn,
Numerous new things he has struggle to learn.
Deep inside I know he tries his best,
He struggle so hard and never rest.
Late night shifts for a few dollars more,
For those new pair of shoes I wore.
I know no matter how hard he cannot catch up,
They overrun him with cheap foreign imports.
Younger workers with whom he must compete,
Bullied at work he dare not speak/
Oh daddy, you look so worried today,
You deep wrinkles are a giveaway.
Oh daddy, what is on your mind?
Your foreign boss again unkind?
Did they humiliate you at workplace,
Say you're too slow too old nowadays?
Oh daddy, I'm okay to take bus and MRT
I don't mind living in H-D-B,
I don't want any holiday to Europe,
No need branded shoes and clothes.
I know whatever it is you still love me,
That's enough for me to be happy.
I just want again to see your smile,
For me you went the extra mile.
A working class father nothing is easy,
Every dollar you sweated for the family.
Others can look down on our poverty,
But we will stand up proudly,
For you are the ones that work the hardest,
They rob when they pay you the lowest.
But every working class father is truly
The backbone of our economy.
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