Hi AC,

Thanks for featuring my post.

Majullah Singapura.

Panzer

Our only wrong is to be born here in Singapore and get punished by government who embrace foreigners.

That is incorrect. Your "wrong" is to have no balls to revolt against the oppressive regime that enslave its citizens and prostitute the country to foreigners. Your "wrong" is to wait for others to fight for your rights so that you don't have to risk your own ass.

Only a child would point out the King wears no clothes
-
`On one occasion, I asked S. K. Tan why he had slapped during the interrogation. He told me that I was mistaken. I had moved back and lost my balance`

fuck ns

What is there to embrace foreigners? Have you read the 200+ people went out to MOM for their workpermit get revoked just bcoz the empl did paid the levy. All these people have paid more than 6K almost their 2 years earning to come here. They are also foreigners, just don't see only Caucasians and high paying bankers as foreigners, even labours are foreigners.
If you don't like NS, put it through ur MP to govt. The policy may change when the majority proposes something new.

i'd agree with ur point here.

foreigners here also have their contributions to the country, though, in ur mind, their contributions might be as significant as ur NS.

but look at the issue from another point, u r the citizen of the country, u receive more benefit than those foreigners (u get bonus from government every year, but no for those foreigners, u can buy the hdb at a much lower price than those foreigners, and many others.). and also, u should also feel proud that u r serving NS to protect the country, dont u?

i can understand ur pain in the NS, but it is ur responsibility to protect the country, isnt it? if u dont do that, who gonna do that? u wont expect those foreigners to protect ur own country, will ya?

it should be the problem of the NS system, but not the foreigners!! as Dev* said, if u dont like NS, propose something different. If not, just accept it, and feel proud of it as u r protecting ur own country.

I wonder whose responsibility was it to keep Mas Selamat in detention and whose lapses was it that allowed him to escape? How come MHA/SPF is able to outsource to Gurkhas the responsibility of guarding Mas Selamat with the consequences?

The problem is that Singapore citizens are taken for granted. I am not against foreigners per se, I value the contributions of foreign labour who helped build Singapore's infrastructure. I am against spending so much resources on "integrating" foreigners i.e. foreigners who are given PR, foreigners who opted for Singapore Citizenship when we screw our own NSmen.

Yes, I receive more benefits that PRs, but I can get KILLED during reservist and I've seen one of my NSmen DIE during IPPT. You may not mind risking your life for that additional GST rebates/govt top-ups to medisave but I do.

I don't expect foreigners to protect the country. But I expected newly minted CITIZENS to do their fair share to national security beyond paying taxes. I also pay my share of taxes PLUS I serve all my 2.5 years + 10 years reservist without one deferment. So don't talk to me about responsibility.

It is the problem of the system. But who developed and implemented this system?

Majullah Singapura.

Its true that the NS men are disenfranchised and lose out to their female and malaysian counterpart in career advancement. This is hard to swallow.

On the bright side for some, people who survived NS is like a right of passage into manhood. The 2.5 years of shit in NS is actually character building and may equip the survivor with lifeskills to deal with the hardships of life to come.

Yeh. Hardships of life like losing out to our female and malaysian counterpart in career advancement.

You can build character WITHOUT NS. Different ways of doing things.

Oh, you can also collapse during IPPT due to NS. Building character is not useful when you're dead.

Majullah Singapura.

I do agree with his point on citizenship easily given and the part when he will lose out to other male PR or employment pass holders. However I do not agree with his stance on singling out Singaporean women as well saying that they have it easier than the men, that is just plain whining.

I agree in general with his points. However I'd like to point out in particular why the hell NSMen need to notify overseas trips beforehand. Can't we just do it at the exit point itself? It's a stupid policy.

" It is not working effectively and efficiently to deliver a robust defence posture for the amount of resources we pour in."

How did this wonderboy draw this conclusion? From his arse?

Yes, would you like to examine it for yourself.

It is my opinion, do you have your own learned opinion beyond making disparaging remarks about one's anatomy?

No ns.
Get bullied by msia or indo
U want meh??

Nah, that's ok. We get plenty bullied by our own government already.

A bit of foreign bullying won't hurt (and may even help since it'll be the top dogs who will be getting more bullied than the other dogs).

Who do you think will draw more attention, the (rich) politicians or the common man in the street?

The problem isn't NS. The problem is best shown with this question- When we serve NS what exactly are we protecting/defending?
- HDB flats on perma-loan mortgage terms?
- A profiteering system of "public" transport?
- The right for a select few to vote their leaders in GRCs that are contested?
- Unilateral decision making in parliament when it comes to instituting laws contrary to the constitution?
- Unilateral parliamentary voting for self serving pay?
- The Kings, Mandarins and ruling elites?
- The "foreign talent"?

Malaysia has the bumiputra (sons of the soil) policy to protect "their own"- yes limited to malays but still something.

What exactly do we have?

Yes- ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country BUT:
For the United States:
- People have the right to vote
- Party representation WHEN they seek it
- Freedom (yes, even the freedom to act irresponsibly)
- Leaders that consider protectionism when things look bad enough (this is an economic debate I know but the heart is there. PAP would just tell the unemployed and disenfranchised to embrace the winds of globalisation).
- A constitution that makes it legal for you to remove a tyrannical government with the arms they allow you to keep if need be

What has PAP enshrined for you that makes them so worth fighting for and defending?

Living in Singapore demands hard choices. If you're born here, you do not have a choice. Geographically, it is a desirable place for the conduct of business and criminal activity. Politically, nobody is going to take care of Singapore but Singaporeans. In practical terms, nobody is going to defend Singapore but Singaporeans. The UN is good for collecting membership dues and that's pretty much it.

Honestly, there is not an overwhelming reason to move to Singapore. City life, low crime, blah blah blah - there are many other cities in the world with the same thing. Therefore, the unfortunate trade off is that to get people to move here, you have to essentially bribe them to come here - give them perks so that they live here better than they would in their home country or elsewhere. For developing countries this means a waterproof roof, for developed countries this means neighborhoods and schools 80% of Singaporeans never see.

Democracy in the US is overstated and overrated. Politicians represent themselves and their reelection. If the voters benefit, they benefit incidentally. Having been Stateside for almost 20 years, I can write page after page on this. Leaders consider "protectionism" not to protect jobs, but to protect the unions. For example, the teachers unions contribute more to political campaigns than the oil companies.

In Singapore, elected officials get paid highly. In the US, you make money by running for election. Essentially, you set up your political campaign (your company), and loan it your own money at an interest rate that you set (as high as you want). You collect campaign contributions to "pay off" the campaign debt to the creditor (yourself). However, you don't ever pay off the principal and in fact keep trying to increase it - this guarantees you have a steady stream of income to yourself as the campaign indefinitely tries to pay you back.

Think about this. The Mayor of Los Angeles, a rather incompetent lawyer who did not manage to pass the California Bar exam, gets paid a couple hundred thousand grand a year, but bought a $4.5 million condo. That math makes no sense.

Politicians and political parties do not represent the people in anyway, shape or form. An illegal immigrant from Mexico pays discounted in-State tuition and CalState Universities, but an American citizen from Arizona would have to pay full out-of-state tuition. Who is the political party representing here? Illegal Mexicans or Americans?

Nor is there that much freedom in the US. 50% of my income gets taxed - that's half my freedom taken away. Regardless of what they do with it, the point is, it is my money. There is no freedom without respect for private property. If I want to burn it, it's my choice. That is the definition of freedom.

The 2nd Ammendment right to bear arms, are you kidding me? Have you tried to buy a gun in the State of California? Try getting a Concealed Carry in San Francisco. Also, you have to drive to Nevada so you can buy a magazine that will hold more than 10 rounds.

Despite the ruling in DC v. Heller, individual States and cities still do everything they can to make it difficult for you to own a gun or concealed carry claiming the decision was in Federal Court. During Katrina, the city ordered the police to confiscate weapons from all registered gun owners in New Orleans.

It is perfectly fine to !#@$ and moan about life in Singapore. There is a lot to be angry about. But to naively and blindly point to another country and say it is better is a great disservice to the truth.

You must be one of those republican wing nuts, disfranchised by the democratic victory and feeling marginalized. Despair not. If you don't like the USA, the Pee Sai of the East will welcome you back with open arms.

And where did you get your nonsensical half-truths from? Rush Limbaugh? Fox News? Your red neck friends in the NRA?

Hi Anon 1:14,

The United States is definitely not perfect. Neither are your politicians beyond TVland's The West Wing. Fact is, there's not a single mention about the "greatness" of the US.

Conceal and Carry license? Please- If the state has turned tyrannical. You'd be carrying your arms in public and in full view. Beyond police, secret service, private investigators and federal agents, why would you want a conceal and carry license?

Want to know what Singapore has? Assume our country had gone from benevolent dictatorship to pure tyranny- We can't even criticize the government in full view of the public. Yes, no carrying free speech in Singapore. Conceal your lips and your thoughts if you live here.

In addition, I'm trained in small arms. You want to carry more than 10 rounds? Are you looking to start a war? Or in self defense, 10 rounds into 10 assailants? Are you in a gang? You only need one round. FYI .357 - 8 rounds. .32 - 5 to 6 rounds. How much stopping power do you need?

I hear you- 50% income tax. Sure, it sucks, you've worked hard, by God's grace and personal intellect, you've reached an income bracket that forces you to pay for the millions of other US citizens taking unemployment benefits and healthcare. I'm feel horrible for you but personally, shouldn't you be somewhat secure that should a change of fortune sweep you into unemployment, you have a social safety net to keep you from collecting newspapers and selling recycled tin cans.

Singapore IS wonderful. I love the CPF. The "indirect" tax that the government can repeatedly shift the goalposts and regulations for withdrawal. Lost your job in Singapore? Tough. Want to draw a little of your CPF to tide you over? Suck eggs, we need to bail out US banks and rebalance GIC accounts.

Non subsidised university education? Guess what? Mainland chinese students come here on FULL SCHOLARSHIPS, serve none of the national service AND use Singapore as a stepping stone to your "crappy" US of A. These "scholar" immigrants starve locals out of places in the local varsities.

Politicians are self serving? No kidding. I don't recall mentioning anywhere how glorious and noble your civil servants are. I do know this though- the media is free to expose them if they're corrupt. Not to mention, so far, in terms of noble behavior Obama is looking pretty good (can't say much about his economic policies though).

The mayor of Los Angeles bought a $4.5 million condo? You might want to look at the many ministers in a country smaller than many US states that own BUILDINGS in Australia. I won't mention who, but you can find out. The internet is amazing.

Democracy is overrated till you lose it. I would love that Singaporeans benefit incidentally. By the way, getting our Shoeboxes in the sky upgraded, not too great an incidental benefit. And gasp! Who are the unions protecting? The workers? The workers are citizens no?

Come to Singapore, come become an expandable economic "digit". See if you still find Singapore worth defending. Please ELUCIDATE- what about Singapore is worth defending. Just one item.

edit: EXPENDABLE not expandable (though we do get stretched) :P

Addendum: I do agree Anon that there's a lot of bullshit in the US. But it's still better than what we got. Your media acts to limit the worst excesses of your political elite at least. At worst, even if your media is self-serving right wing supporters, you still have enough individuals to whistleblow and further their own agendas (and that's a kind of check and balance no?)

As the army saying goes ....

Suck thumb, loh!

Perce, what you had posted above comparing the US and Singapore is so depressing for me.. :'(

but thanks..

There's still hope. Use your vote wisely if you're in a voting district.

Here's why:
- The opposition (save for Kenneth J - economics guru of sorts for the reform party) is fairly lacking in policy making skills
- I do agree with PAP that opposition is "not credible" in a sense
- BUT how many of recent PAP policies have been credible? What have they done lately?
MOST IMPORTANTLY
- The civil service is run COMPETENTLY with multiple redundancies.
- SG won't fall apart overnight

ONE IMPORTANT THOUGHT TO CONSIDER:
- It's not the lack of $$ that makes it difficult for the PAP to find leaders and new blood. HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED, that the true leaders might find underhanded political assassination and gerrymandering distasteful? People can disagree on principle alone and choose not to serve.

Now imagine:
- How many new leaders would speak up in a society where free speech is possible.
- In the cacophony of voices, how many new ideas will arise?
- How many new solutions?
- How many alternative viewpoints?
- Finally a Singapore for Singaporeans.
- A Singapore that's filled with the same sense of unity during the birth of our independence.
- A Singapore worth fighting for, EVEN IF you disagree with the guy standing next to you. Simply because in your hearts, YOU KNOW this disagreement arises out of a passion of wanting Singapore to be strong.

Majulah

I'm a jobless local for more than 11 months and it's the most tormenting experience in life.

Despite
being a healthy man in late 20s, educated/skilled, no criminal record,
countless job applications and interviews (mostly from self-search),
approached/contacted goverment agencies and bodies,
I remain jobless.

Apparently, Singapore employers practice racism (against Malay Muslims) and favoritism (for immigrants/foreigners)

I'm disgusted to know that many immigrants/foreigners (especially from Philippines, Indonesia, China, India) conversing bad English with their country accent. Yet, they're working in mid-level sectors like HR, IT and services.