Celebrating National Day

As Singapore celebrates its 42nd National Day, Hsien Loong made a speech about the glorious achievements we have made for four good years of growth under his watch as the new PM. Among the many things to cheer about, he listed the following: 1. Our athletes are winning medals 2. Our Chefs are winning culinary contests ( should include all the Guinness Book of Records Singaporeans have achieved) 3. Our entrepreneurs are launching new businesses 4. Our students are excelling at all kinds of international events 5. We are gearing up for new and exciting projects, like the Formula One Grand Prix and integrated resorts 6. A clean and corruption free society 7. Disciplined and well educated workers 8. A cohesive, multi racial community 9. A capable and vigilant SAF and Home Team Then he went on to discuss about the problem of widening income gap and how the govt has put in measures to help those who are struggling to make a living. And there were many programmes like Comcare and Workfare to help needy Singaporeans. Actually a widening income gap may not be the real problem if the people at the lower end have enough to eat and are able to pay for their expenses. What is frightening the people and causing hardship and pain to the people is the constantly rising costs and money not enough. The galloping away of costs of essential services and basic necessities is the greatest failure of the govt. It is not a case of these costs cannot be arrested but more a case of a belief that profits are good for all these providers of goods and services. And the govt only needs to give some handouts when there is a need to. Thus the people at the lower end will forever be chasing for money to pay for the increasing costs. And whatever income or savings they have will never be enough. If the costs of living can be curbed and contained, there is no fear of a widening income gap. There is no fear of earning a little lesser as things are not going to cost more everyday. And there is lesser fear that savings, the CPF, the Medisave, will never be enough. There is no need for handouts. Give to the people by not giving. Rein in the runaway costs.