Singapore Democrats

This may not be entirely irrelevant on this topic, as it seems, also, PAP's justifying its own pay and bonuses for the the electorate's endorsement.

PM Lee HL yesterday made the unoriginal point, headlined by SPH today, that, even though US Presidents are paid much less than he, they get compensated more at after-presidency activities like speeches, etc.

Is he saying that US Presidents aspired for their office because they would not sacrifice, for the sake of national service, money, but had needed the money incentives, not guaranteed but probably realizable, after leaving office?

Then, what would old candidates, like Reagan, look forward to, to balance the risk of being shot whilst in office?

Such monetary benefits surely are only happy consequences of having served and cannot serve as part of the pay packet of office. Would prospective PAP Ministers still serve had they had only $15000 per month, but with the probable expectation that they would be invited to sit in so many boards, etc., after leaving office?

The "rewards", if indeed such are called for by the truly dedicated, should be in such intrinsic worth as "job satisfaction".

I recall that, in former days, before LKY brought in all sorts of carrots to dangle (reducing us to rats and pidgeons), the prestige the civil service and, yes, even teachers had, relative to the "private sector". When I first graduated from university and seeking a job, the assumption was that, even though Shell would pay alot more for you sell oil, if you cared for name, prestige and service, you joined the civil service, even as teachers.

So, to use LHL's own example, the US judge, who got paid much less than the junior lawyer representing the defence before him, would nevertheless enjoy greater honour and satisfaction, if such were really needed for the truly committed. (Whoever revere the mercenary who sells his services, whether clients were guilty or not?)

The mindset of the ruling party took after the people within in. Looking back at some of the comments made by the MPs and ministers from the party, they will blame Singaporeans for all the things that can go wrong and credit themselves with all the good things. Without the hard work of the Singaporeans can any policies work? How often does a Singaporean have a say in any of the policies? Did the government not plan and introduce the policies? Is it fair for them to blame Singaporeans when a policy does not work out?

Take the case of the Foreign Worker's hostel in Serangoon Garden? The residents voice their concern and in the end did the MP or government listen? is it really safe to even have hostel so close to a residental area? Even with all the measures in place, can anyone guarantee that?

A government for a Singaporean's Singapore is what we ask for. To listen to the voice of the people, the worries of the people and to understand the burden they face and to formualate policies to help Singaporeans. Not a party that is only concern about their own self interest.

Singapore does not belong to the PAP, it belongs to all of Singaporeans.

Please look around, the people around you and see what is actually happening in our surrounding. The uncle or aunty walking on the street.

Yes, the PAP has its tentacles every where. So much so that Singaporeans cannot imagine life without the PAP in power.

Indeed, we want to see PAP policies being challenged...and along the way, some "sacred-cows" slaughtered.

Question really is, does it serve SDPs interest to continue this path of blaming everything that happened, happens and may happen on the PAP? While this will certainly resonate with the hardcore anti-PAP voters, will saying we have heard "nothing of their policies or manifesto etc win the hearts and minds of the swing voters?

The PAP has laid out numerous measures and articulated many other programmes that it beliefs will alleviate the concerns of Singaporeans. It would be best that SDP acknowledge these and explain how it will not meet the needs of the people it hopes to serve.

In short, focus on reaching out to the swing voters...most of whom I believe would like to see PAP rule albeit with a strong Opposition made up of individuals who are truly qualified and can speak from the heart. No fake, "oh, I was born poor...but I worked hard and succeeded...I care for the poor cos I saw this old lady waiting to cross the road and I helped to press the button for the road crossing" etc".ptui!!

With parliament likely to close next week and elections soon to be announced, it is good to start on the campaign issues. For example, yes, we want trade unions that can truly speak up for the workers. But will the workers then have to revert back to the good old days of strikes and 'go slow' to pressure the companies now that there won't be any govt to back the workers? Will more court actions be needed to seek compliance by companies?? Singapore has been on this path before and are we ready to take a stab at it again..and is this the right time?

These are the answers that voters, esp the 'silent majority' want to hear about and be re-assured. Just shouting 'throw the PAP out...throw the PAP out' will only sound like a broken record...and as you know, many PAP Ministers and supporters are "deaf frogs".

And the last thing they want to hear is, "Vote us in and then we will tell you how!". The SDP has numerous individuals who are articulate and well accomplished. Now more than ever, I belief, the SDP can show its true mettle.

One more observation.

GCT said two days ago that the number two in the private sector didn't want to join PAP because the were aspiring to be number one (therefore winning much more pay than even becoming PAP Ministers).

So, PAP has now to do with only persons from the civil service and army? And they have agreed beacause ministerial pay is a few rungs higher than number two, or even number one civil service and army pay? A step higher on their career path?

Is the PAP casting their net in the correct direction? These persons who have got to be number one or number two; we may suppose they have some ability. But what else, less honourable, had they got to be up there? Would that explain why money has had to be so crucial to their agreeing, and only after so many "tea parties"? Etc., etc.!

Solido:

You mentioned that the PAP has numerous measures. Do they include:-

1) Bringing in massive foreign immigrants to take over our jobs and scholarships, inflate our house prices and to jam our infrastructure, at the same time relieve them of any national service duties?
2) Keep the property price high so that Singaporeans cannot afford it?
3) Increase GST, so that the poor continue to suffer?
4) Remove minimum wage so as to increase the income gap, making the rich eve richer?
5) Remove all forms of safety nets for the unfortunate?

Quantum,

WOW! You overwhelmed me by throwing so many issues at one go but I will share with you my perspectives in the hope that SDP can put up solutions that Singaporeans will find palatable:

1.Massive influx of foreign immigrants to take over our jobs and scholarships> Agreed. PAP screwed this real bad.

2. Foreigners inflated our house prices and jammed our infrastructure>Agreed.Foreigners helped push rental prices as most not eligible to buy HDB flats. But rise in rentals indirectly contributed to increase in prices of resale flats, egged on by availability of loans at cheap rates. Both then contributed to increases in new flats marketted by HDB as their pricing is "market based". Same same for jams in bus,MRT and roads.

3.Relieve them of national service> not all lah...but then again, I wouldn't want these "Ah Goons,Ah Tiongs, Bangalahs and Annehs" carrying a rifle to go into battle next to me though...their loyalty is still suspect, not to mention their ability to understand what we say to each other.Sending them all into service jobs would not be fair either, as these fellas will then take away the jobs presently done by Singaporeans under NTUC Foodfare, ST Logistics & SFI etc. Personally, I would only want their next generation to serve NS..after they grew up under the security blanket/sacrifice provided by bona fide Singaporean sons.

4. Keep property price high so that Singaporeans cannot afford it> Nah, don't agree. 80% of Singaporeans live in homes that are owned by them. If prices increase, they should be happy. As for those who don't own any, there is a flat available for almost all who need one. The difficulty, however will be if you want a flat near your parents as resale flat prices can be fairly steep depending on location.

5.Increase GST so that poor continue to suffer> Nah, don't agree. Poor in Singapore can have access to so many schemes that sometimes I too wish I can join the queue! Its the sandwich class that suffers most, cos no body gives a damn to their plight.And GST actually hits this group the hardest, not the poorest.

Should we do away with GST or go for reduction in GST or exempt some items from GST..well, all these are options but exactly how govt revenues will be affected and how the sandwich class will benefit, I am not sure. As you know, the PAP will always find some way, some how collect the money from you!

6. Remove minimum wage(did we ever have one?)so as to increase the income gap, making the rich even richer?> Nah, cannot agree. We know how Singapore companies operate..if they know you can afford it, they will jack up prices so that you will still be poor/penniless even with a minimum wage! As Karl Marx noted, the rich own the tools and the land...they will still make more money out of the blood and sweat of the proletariat. What is really needed are policies like that advocated by SDP: "Singaporeans First!","Equal opportunity for all races","Competency based wages instead of basing on pure Paper Qualifications or market forces" We all know that the invisible hands of Adam doesn't always appear to even things out! So, lets face it, the rich will become richer, but we must enable those who are poor to also climb out of poverty.

7. Remove all forms of safety nets for the unfortunate?> Two thumbs up! AGREE wholeheartedly!! In Singapore, there is no place for second best...and second chances..except perhaps for the PAP candidate in Potong Pasir this time around...hehehe;)

People make mistakes. People must have the opportunity to take risks. People must be given space to recover and go for it again, and again. It is the lack of this that has led to "foreign talent" and "technology" infiltrating even the simplest things in Singaporeans life, like cooking Char Kway Teow! Gosh, I hate it when I see china gals cooking them and worry if one day I will find some mamak doing the same:"its similar but not just the same, dah!"

There. Just my thoughts. No offence if it doesn't exactly mirrors that of yours, Quantum.

The Force is still with SDP!

If the PAP really meant what they say, taxing the rich to help the poor, why then they pass the bill to axe the assets tax? Any dumb will know only the rich will have assets to be taxed, the answer? Simple, bcos the ministers are one of these RICH MILLIONAIRES or maybe even BILLIONAIRES! Someone should highlight this point to th public as well as throw the ministers this question and see how they respond. Agree with Dr Vincent, i too am disgusted by their million dollars pay chq.

To the PAP, its leadership renewal. But how to have renewal when Lee kuan yew is still ruling with an iron fist? The rest of the old guards are still there. No different at all. Only Jayakumar and Tamuji step down. You still have Wong kang seng who let Mas Selamat escape through a toilet window for goodness sake there, you still have the Dr B who out budget the YOG there, Ho ching still control Temasek, Nathan is still the President without any Singaporean voted for him and the list can go on and on. Now the former education minister son is a PAP candidate and we have for the first time a Rich Bimbo Tin that loves money to be an MP. PM Lee say NO to check and balance system in Singapore. Want only his party to have all the seats in parliment and he the riches man on earth. After watching DECOAID on channel 5, the PAP has no heart for common Singaporean but treat us like a piece of shit and we still vote the PAP. zZZZZzzzzz

my present $2,289 per month salary has been stunted since 2000, and now PM LEE justify his increasing salary and cabinet ministers GDP BONUS are unacceptable in the sight of Singaporeans survival economic. I am voting for a new government. VOTE PAP out for one term and see who can do a better job. WE can afford to have a change for better citizenry life from now.

Where got 4G?
The whole of PAP still listens to one man: Mr Lee.

There is no BAD Prime Minister, only bad policies. Mr Lee Hsien Loong is self-elevating himself by cautioning the audiences with his 'bad PM' subject recently. You be a bad PM when half og your country population are living below the median salary while you and your handful of ministers are living as if there is not tomorrow with sky-rocketing salaries (I call it 'overfed dough'). I shall put a stop to this politic-disease with my vote this election. There is no bad citizen, no bad prime minister, only bad policies.