The Singapore General Election 2011 #sgelection is in full swing as the PAP, along with the rest of the pack-chasers scramble to win our votes come 07 May 2011. Many Singaporeans still remain seated on the fence as they try to decide whether their votes should be for continued stability or for a "voice". For me, I have made my choice, the PAP, and here are the reasons why:
(1) Lets face reality. The world today is not quite Disneyland no more. We are living in a global economic decline. And yet here we are in Singapore recently boasting of dropping unemployment rate, currently at its "lowest in 3 years at 1.9%, (Channel News Asia: Singapore's unemployment rate in 2011 drops further). Our GDP continues to climb despite the current global situation at 23% (Singapore News Alternative: http://singaporenewsalternative.blogspot.com/2011/04/singapore-q1-gdp-surges-235-on-quarter.html). We have had political, economical and social stability since 1965 under the PAP. Touch your heart and tell me honestly, where along those lines have the PAP really failed us? Take a look around, at Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, etc., now tell me compared to them how is our government "failing?"
(2) Without a doubt, cost of living has risen tremendously here. Now tell me, is it only Singapore's cost of living that has surged? No. The world is experiencing a higher cost of living. Of course I am not saying the PAP cannot do more to tackle this problem, I am sure there are more ways to help the lower to middle-income Singaporeans tackle this problem. But Singaporeans should STOP complaining about how much they are suffering. Take a look around, yes we may be struggling but our struggles are a pinch compared to people of Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Of course not everything is white picket fences here, nor am I saying everyone of us here are NOT suffering, but in general can you say Singaporeans are along the same level of suffering as citizens of other countries?
(3) Yes housing prices, fuel prices has gone up. Yes everything is going up. Yes it may be a struggle but ultimately most of us still have a roof over our heads, clothes on our back, food to eat, water drinkable from the tap at anytime, the roads are smooth, on the rainiest of nights I still can find my way home thanks to all the lights, I go home feeling safe knowing I won't get shot at for territory rights, I don't have to wake up at 4 in the morning and switch 4 buses just to get to school or work (that's if I can afford a bus ride in the first place), I am given an education, world class health care, etc. So can you tell me the PAP has not done anything over the last 30 years? Especially since we came from nothing to being something.
(4) Sure some government policies may be questionable no doubt. But this is Singapore. We don't have the land size of Malaysia or Indonesia. We don't have the oil like Brunei does. We depend very much on tourism. Sure the casino's were questionable initially, but look at all the jobs it created and all the tourists that have flocked in. We are living in the 21st century, a casino is not in-moral. A step-dad raping his own step-daughter... THAT is in-moral.
(5) I respect politicians of any age who are able to voice from their heart, I really do. But even speaking from the heart can be one of maturity, of grace, of class. With all do respect Ms Nicole Seah, you do not possess that. Of course at a rally, you are free to "attack" any of the opposing politician, there is no wrong. But do so with class. Do so with grace. Do so humbly. What is with all the personal attack? And let me ask you something in return Ms Seah, if one day you do eventually become elected, who will pay YOUR salary? Who paid for the maintenance of your school buildings? Who gave you an education? Sure there are some issues which she made brought out a good point, for example foreigners. Would you even get a chance sit in the MRT had it not been for the PAP?
And I truly wonder, if Ms Nicole Seah was not the prettiest face of the whole election, would she have gained an equal amount of attention?
(6) With (yet another) all do respect moment, Mr. Chiam See Tong does not get my vote. He can proclaim how fit he is, our how healthy he is, etc. A picture speaks a 1000 words Mr. Chiam. I do not want a frail old man who seems he can collapse at any given time to be leading my GRC. And don't be too cocky Mr. Chiam, till Singaporeans head to the polls, you have not won anything yet; don't base your assumptions because you were cheered on (Channel News Asia: Looks Like I Am Going To Win). And also you have finally admitted you are here to win a GRC because you have never done so and it is a competition (a personal vendetta) to beat the PAP. So what happen to an election for the people?
(7) Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has a battle on his hands too as he fights off the questions of why the YOG exceeded expenditures by a mile... I mean after all everyone expects a huge sporting event such as this to meet the budget. Just like how the 2010 World Cup did not exceed $1 billion over its intended budget, or how the 2008 Beijing Olympics did not over shot its budget (http://www.culture-world.org/html/070817110658.html), or how 2012 London Olympics has not exceeded its original cost by doubling (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/05/olympic-stadium-costs-doubles-547m) ... OH WAIT ALL OF THE ABOVE DID HAPPEN! Cut the crap, how can anyone be surprise that a big sporting event such as this not overshot. What you expect everything to be all pretty pink and white picket fences?
(8) Lets all be honest about it all, and I have said this once and I will continue to say this again. The opposition can talk the talk, but can they really walk the walk? Most of us wouldn't be living the way we are now, or wouldn't be enjoying the security we have now if it wasn't the PAP. Lets give them some credit. They aren't monsters you know. Would you honestly want what happened in Egypt to happen to us?
(9) What has the government taken away from us. HONESTLY. What? My liberty? My dream? My life? My love? No. I still have control over my liberty and my life and my dream. Don't blame others for what you cannot achieve.
(10) Lastly, in sports, if something is working or winning over and over then why change a winning strategy? I think it is fair for PM Lee Hsien Loong to say we can't expect to enjoy the perks and benefits of what the PAP has in store for its own constituency. They came up with the plan, they execute the plan. You don't expect Manchester United to help out Manchester City to win some trophies though they are from the same city do you? You don't expect Sir Alex Ferguson to loan Hernandez or Rooney to Manchester City so they can finally win their first real silverware do you? No you don't. There is no free ride in this world. It simply does not make any sense to vote for an opposition and to expect the perks from another side.
Once again, I am not saying I agree with everything with what the PAP has done, nor do I fear them at all. But just looking back at everything, this whole elections have become a circus almost. I have made my choice, and you are free to do so as well. No one has put a gun to your head and force you to choose, ultimately the vote lies with you.
"With all due respect". Not "With all do respect"
ReplyDeleteImmoral not in-moral. For someone who can't seem to really form proper english sentences together, you are quite a hater.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand this, voting for the opposition does NOT mean the PAP is going to be de-throned. This is probably the first time we get real opposition in the system. It would be the first time for many things.
Obviously when you have a government that has 1) been in place for ages, a government that 2) takes the cream of the crop and moulds them into politicians, a government that 3) has had no other comparison since NO ONE ELSE has been given the chance to attempt to walk the walk, you will hardly find credible individuals to take the stand against the ruling party - also primarily due to them thinking that no one stands a chance because of people like you.
When no one gives or has ever given the opposition a chance, who are you to determine if the PAP is the right party to lead, and that too, alone.
My apologies for my spelling errors but I do believe my sentence formation has nothing to with me being a hater. Please do not mistake my opinions for a lack of disrespect towards the opposition. By no means am I against them. In fact I welcome the challenge this election has bring more than what the last few elections have brought altogether. In fact, I am not against change. I welcome new voices into the government, change is necessary one point or another. But I won't deny I quite like the old one right now. And until I am more convinced by the pack-chasers, I think it is fair in this free world we live in to express my right of choice for the PAP.
ReplyDeleteHence I have stated pretty clearly that what I have wrote is solely based on my opinions and that everyone is free to choose who they want as their leader.
Again I must apologize if my "poor English formation" has brought any displeasure towards you. But I must stress if I am unable to voice my own opinions then are you not being a little bit contradicting as well. If you say that the opposition should be given a chance to voice out their opinions, then shouldn't I as well?
I did not say you HAVE to vote for the PAP thus the title of this entry, "10 Reasons Why The PAP Will Ultimately Still Get My Vote"... Emphasis on the word MY. Not Yours.
oh and to prevent further corrections, *has brought. Maybe I should not type too fast and try to multi-task studying for my exams and making sure my English formation is perfect. Really. I shouldn't.
ReplyDeletejust another opinion that is just as much not needed as those pro-oppo crowd
ReplyDeleteWhat's with attacking his English? This is not a newspaper. There is no need to have perfect english. Such petty personal attacks. If you do not approve with what he said here, then don't read it. Vote whoever you want. This is his blog. He has the rights to write whatever he wants.
ReplyDelete1) Lets give credit where credit is due. I agree that the Singapore government has done a great job.
ReplyDelete2/3) We made our voices heard regarding the high costs of living, but the government just doesn't seem to hear us. Thus the outcry. The cost of building HDB flats are not transparent, the high price of new flats NOT JUSTIFIED.
4) Again, credits where credit is due. The government done a good job in many aspects. But they need to be checked. High salaried President and Ministers are grossly unjustified - such decisions need to be questioned.
5) If Nicole Seah lacks the qualities you mentioned, then what quality does Tin Pei Ling possess? If Tin is the kind of candidate PAP can only recruit, then what kind of future can we hope of Singapore?
If one day Nicole Seah is elected, the Singapore government pays for her salary, the government pays for the maintenance of the school buildings. And whose money are these? These are Singaporean's money. And if these are Singaporean's money, your argument for 10) is groundless. A Prime Minister should look after each and every one of Singaporean, and leave noone uncared, regardless of who voted for who.
6) Don't judge a book by its cover. Besides his weak frame, what else do you know about Mr Chiam? Mr Chiam may be fraile, but his heart is bigger than any of the PAP MPs you can find.
7) Dr Vivian is paid ridiculous salary, thus the high expectation from him.
8) The government should be asked your question, not the voters.
9) I noticed you are a student. I'll let you think over this when you started working, having your own housing, own family, have a feel of the stress, and then lets discuss again.
10) Irrelevant comparison using football clubs. See my reply to point 5).
During elections, each candidate represents his/her own party. Once elected, they will wear a different hat, and the notion of parties should be cast aside, and focus shifted to serving Singapore and its people. To deprive whatever benefits, exclude whatever programs from those who had not voted for a party is wrong. It's this high handedness that has turned a lot of Singaporeans against the ruling party.
Just like you, I have made my chioce too. Vote wisely.
Points 1 to 8 and perhaps 10 is a fair comment on your part and there is no need for me to rebut, to each his own. You have your opinions and I have mine. Fair enough. The point of this as I said is absolutely my opinions on my blog regardless if you like it or not, or if anyone else thinks it is necessary or not. Hence my blog.
ReplyDeleteHowever I only have one... problem with the previous comment at point 9. Don't talk to me about not knowing what is stress and don't assume about my personal life. What makes you think I am not working or have not worked full time. What makes you think I don't have a family of my own. What makes you think I have nothing to pay for on my own. Well I appreciate your own thoughts (or inputs) into whatever I wrote on my blog and commenting on my opinion. In your very own words, "don't judge a book by its cover".. so don't judge that I do not know what the feeling of "stress" is like, especially, clearly you do not know me.
Oh and don't bother preaching to me about "judging a book by its cover" because I know that there are times that I do judge and at least I admit that I do and I am not hypocritical about it.