Thursday, April 07, 2011 @ 1:54 AM: Politics Part 2
Here's a further blog entry to note of my increasing attention and interest about politics (towards Singapore of course) relative to studying over the Easter break.
Recently, there was this forum that took place and a student asked the Prime Minister regarding why Hougang residents do not have upgrading. And well the PM was candid enough to admit that wards that vote for the PAP would enjoy their privileges, and well, too bad that every ward still has to pay taxes and do National Service.
Comments on forums and blogs weren't kind, probably the mainstream media mentioned just briefly about it, with some commentators on the govt-controlled media especially kind to point out that such stuff are necessary and normal. Probably very sweetened comments as though nothing is happening on the ground.
Probably not many will be aware of how PM has been very candid, that how he needs to screw the oppo if more are elected into office and therefore he can't concentrate on doing his work (which from another point of view, you have to say as a politician you always have to fight for your long-term existence, so not exactly wrong but to say it in a rally it is really NOT politically correct), or that how American presidents earn much more outside their systems of paying (which well in singapore's case was 10 times more and was funded by taxpayers money and not via consumerism).
Is Singapore heading towards a democracy? No.
Is what a one-party governance will ensure long-term survival of Singapore? I doubt. Then again, there are always those oppo parties, but realistically how many seats will they win?
Again, a worrisome sight for Singaporeans, especially for the younger generation.
Recently, I was in a bridge match and chatting with a few old guys from the other team. They asked me, "Is Singapore a democracy?" after they enquired Singapore about being a nice, green and clean city-state with good economic progress. I replied "socialist democracy" with one dominant party, and the guys said after a few more exchanges... "wow, I think it is more like a cooperate world with a few rich men and a lot of poor men. Young man, you are indeed a lucky man to make it here."
I smiled, but beneath the smile, it was this worry that long-term leadership was left yearning for.
thank you for bringing me memories...
