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7/03/2008
Incalcitrant or simply uncaring?
The GST is perhaps the most efficient taxation model that has arrived in paradise. And as usual, the complacent citizens of paradise just accept it without a single grunt of unhappiness. The GST is so pervasive and invasive that it taxes a person before he comes into this world and taxing him even on his last act, his funeral. No one is spare.
But the GST can be moderated to lighten the load on the miserable poor by having exemptions on basic necessities. But this has been frown upon by the gods. The gods believe that with the money collected, they could use it to help the poor in a better and more focussed way. Unfortunately, the practical aspects in redistributing this loot is not as easy as the GST. There is no way to reach everyone that needs help. Many who are badly in need of help will simply not step forward, did not know the way or refused to be helped.
And for the insenstive assholes who cajoled all those who needs help to step forward, don't be shy, we will help you, it is the worst kind of human attitude that one can display against the poor. There is nothing to be ashamed of to be poor. But it is very very shameful to stretch out your hands to beg for help. And to beg in public, under the spotlight of everyone, how dehumanising must one to go through to get that little assistance.
Exempting basic necessities from GST is the most honourable and dignified way of helping the poor without abusing their little pride and self respect. Is is help without making people beg for it. And it is as pervasive and far reaching as the GST.
When will the evil gods amend their uncaring ways in their dealings with the underprivilege? Do they get entertained or satisfaction to see the helpless poor come crawling for help at their feet?
I'm curious as to whether lowering, or abolishing the GST, would really precipitate a fall in prices or stoke inflation instead.
ReplyDeleteIncrease in GST was to help the poor. Stop your bitching and please accept this simple fact. Are you calling PAP the uncaring God? Shame on you Redbean.
ReplyDeleteok, you are right. my apologies.
ReplyDelete'Increase in GST was to help the poor'
ReplyDeleteRepeat that consistently and it becomes the brutal tooth. But I doubt the poor will understand it because it defies logic and reality. Of course it is just so logical to people of higher talents.
The evil gods will never amend their uncaring ways when dealing with the poor and needy. When economy is not doing well, despite their pay cuts, they are still earning sky-high salaries compared to the vast majority of average salaried workers in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteThey really ought to be voted out of power for goodness' sake. Even though i'm skeptical of any of the opposition parties being able to do a better job.
We need to give one of the credible alternative parties the chance to prove their mettle and worth, to prove they can be less-blood-sucking.
ReplyDeletelet's wait for a group of credible individuals to offer themselves as the new alternative. i think many are waiting for the right moment to come forward. then you will see the better people that are available.
ReplyDeleteRedbean;
ReplyDeleteno regime in the World should deny themselves the menial working class to do the dirty(physically) jobs of rubbish cleanings, construction labours, baggage handlings, driving vocations, maids and servants etc.
So, at any time, some people must be kept poor to undertake the jobs mentioned. If the people are allowed to progress beyond the poverty line, many will not do the above jobs, then how?
Bear in mind Singapore is only about 750 square kilometres, even if foreigner labours are available, it is goig to be very difficult to accommodate them physically and emotionally. Why emotionally? Because when it gets too crowded, the locals may not be able to take anymore.
accommodating the foreigners is a piece of cake. everything is so peaceful and beautiful. and they are going to welcome more here. 6.5m!
ReplyDeleteThere are reportedly over 5000 foreign talents that were retrenched from banks in US and Europe making their way here. They will compete with the locals in middle-income jobs. Will we see the same thing that we are seeing with the low-income workforce, ie forcing wages down further. It remains to be seen, because this is going to cause plenty of problems for the locals in our banking system. Good luck to them.
ReplyDelete