I wrote earlier about how the people in this democratic
state are not ready for democracy and how the govt too is not ready for
democracy in an article, Singapore
is a Democracy. This is a kind of Cognitive Dissonance in the people’s psyche.
This could be an Asian think, having been seduced by the western concept of
democracy but unable to unload the centuries of reinforcement in the idea of
authority and the fear of authority.
In democracy, the authority of the state is transferred from
a kingship or dictatorship to the people, or at least in a temporal mode and
vacillating to and fro at different stages of political change. This concept of
having authority over the ruler, personified in an individual or a few individuals
represented by a political party is still a very scary and confusing thought to
the masses. They did not know how to use this authority and fear the power of
this authority and would be most happy to hand it over to the people they
elected to power and to obey as their psyche expected them to. The rulers
elected to power also assume power like a mandate of heaven and have no qualms
in using that power, even believing that it is there for good.
This state of inexplicable balance in the rulers wielding
exceptional power in a democratic state, and a people so docile and so used to
defer to the power of the rulers has been in existence since the island became
an independent state and professing democracy as the nation’s guiding political
philosophy. The state is comfortable in wielding the power the people willing
surrender by default, governed by their sub conscious of being and a cultural
upbringing. It is just like that and all is well. The state decides, dictates,
and the people accept and abide by the decisions of the state. Compulsion
becomes an acceptable norm in policy making. The people need not know, the
state knows best and there is no need for the state to be transparent in all
things. Some of the naughty people may ask insensitive questions or questions
that they know would not be answered. They will ask and they will be ignored.
The CPF saving scheme is all about compulsion and the power
of authority. It started with a compulsory saving scheme introduced by the
state with a reasonable set of terms and conditions. There was limitation of
power despite the compulsive nature of the scheme and it was accepted as a
necessary instrument of living a life with some financial certainty. Over the
years many terms and conditions were changed, authoritatively, decided
unilaterally by the state, with little or no resistance from the people. More
and more compulsory schemes were introduced as a matter of fact and right of
the state to do so.
After the 7 Jun Return My CPF rally in Hong Lim, things
begin to change. There were articles saying that Singapore
is at a cross road, there is a more compelling reason for change, a change of
govt and all its unpopular policies. The CPF Protest Rally is not about the CPF
alone. It is a challenge to the conditioned psyche of the people. It is the
thinking of the people that is at a cross road. They have been dragged by their
noses, not to question the power of the state, how far could the state go in
compelling its people to accept policies without the need of the people’s consent.
The people are demanding their right to run their own lives,
to manage their own money, to limit the state’s unbridled monopoly to decision
making that affects their lives, from cradle to grave. The people are pushing
back the power of the state, demanding the state to redefine the limits of its
power over them. The state or the political leaders are rocked out of their
comfort zone. They have been making decisions without the need to consult the
people, to decide first and no need to talk later. The Govt or state knows
better and shall decide what it thinks is best. Some even openly declared that
they would do it the way they think best, no need to listen to the people, a
kind of superior beans or more than mortals. They have all the answers.
How far would this discourse and challenge to what the govt
or state can do, how much power they are allowed to possess, and whether can
they afford to do as they pleased without the consent of the people, is just
emerging. The people are taking cognitive resonance to their rights and the
rights of the rulers. The rulers too would have to re assess how far they can
go it alone, ignoring the wishes and interests of the people. The balance has
been shaken and things are getting shaky. Would there be a new balance or would
it be all the same after this flash in the pan labour pain? Is there an
awakening of the people to what democracy is all about, that power over the
people is not absolute and unrestrained, unlimited?
Is Singapore
at a cross road, a psyche change in the making?
Kopi Level - Yellow
16 comments:
“Still another danger is represented by those who, paying lip service to democracy and the common welfare, in their insatiable greed for money and the power which money gives, do not hesitate surreptitiously to evade the laws designed to safeguard the public from monopolistic extortion.
Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection.
They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.
They are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.”
― Henry A. Wallace
"Is Singapore at a cross road, a psyche change in the making?"
RB
What psyche change are u talking about, when the opposition is still far from the most needed and basic psyche change, that is to become ready to be govt?
6000 strong CPF rally crowd in Hong Lim?
More than $100K donated to Roy for him to fight LHL law suit?
So? (For those who don't know, That's LKY favourite style of asking)
Does that make the opposition ready to be govt?
If not, will 60% vote for opposition if they are not ready to be govt?
Any smart Sinkie will know that these are the type of questions PAP will be asking (not aloud of course lah), and not whether there is psyche change in Sinkies, crossroads or what not, which is asked by those who need kopi. And PAP need and want majority votes, not kopi.
Long post: 1/2
@muddled thinking RB:
Firstly, let's tighten up some definitions. Singapore IS NOT a "democratic state". It is a REPUBLIC. The members representing the people in various constituencies are chosen by ballot, which is a democratic process.
That means the people have the legal right and means to CHOOSE the people to represent them. This does not automatically translate into "the people have the legal right to VOTE on policies". PARLIAMENT is where policy is debated and decided on, by elected representatives not fucking Hong Lim Park or some boisterous internet forum or kopitiam.
Cognitive Dissonance: this is the effect, consequence or discomforting stress experienced by humans holding in their mind (brain) two or more conflicting ideas. It usually shows up as a mismatch between behaviour and knowledge. For e.g.: there is mental stress caused in people who smoke but are fully aware that smoking causes cancer. This stress will continue until behaviour changes to restore "balance" -- i.e. they decide to quit smoking.
In many cases though, the "hardwiring" of addiction trumps "willpower" and people just adapt to their cognitive dissonance and continue with the potentially lethal behaviour.
Cognitive Dissonance is a NATURAL human condition. It is not restricted to Singaporeans in matters of local politics. EVERYONE has some cognitive dissonance at sometime. No human brain is immune from this condition.
However cognitive dissonance has BENEFITS. The ability to hold conflicting or contradictory ideas in your mind, and compartmentalise them at will if necessary can be useful when you are trying to look at "big pictures" and consider all options and alternatives. The "discomfort" caused could be thought of as a 'signal" that urges something to change, and it is up to you to discover how, why and when to do so, or to just leave it alone and adapt to the discomfort.
contd...
2/2
@champion of freedom wannabe RB:
>> The state is comfortable in wielding the power the people willing surrender by default, governed by their sub conscious of being and a cultural upbringing. It is just like that and all is well. The state decides, dictates, and the people accept and abide by the decisions of the state. Compulsion becomes an acceptable norm in policy making. The people need not know, the state knows best and there is no need for the state to be transparent in all things. Some of the naughty people may ask insensitive questions or questions that they know would not be answered. They will ask and they will be ignored. <
In every mother-cuntree, the people get the government they deserve. Singapore too. The govt in power is ALWAYS the "perfect choice" for the people and their underlying CULTURE.
The single-party, quasi-Confucianist, quasi-fascist cum communist, benign dictatorship-authoritary mixture of political ideas and philosophies is the well-entrenched way of governing (ruling?) Singaporeans, and the results have been impressive. The world is in awe of Singapore.
Even pundits from the "human rights" camp are at a loss for words -- the best they can come up with is a weak attempt to attack the lack of freedom of speech and probably the death penalty...that's their best shot. They cannot attack the low crime rate, the amount of growing prosperity, level of health and longevity, incredible infrastructure and excellent education...fuck them -- those assholes from the Huff Post, Mother Jones, Democracy Now etc.
I am no fan of the PAP. However, at least they aren't fucking up the cuntree -- even with their arrogance and human propensity to make mistakes. At least they are forward thinking and are unafraid to make stinky, unpopular decisions. Like I said, I'd choose the PAP over the Aust Abbot/ Rudd/ Gillard govt any day.
>> that power over the people is not absolute and unrestrained, unlimited? <
That depends on who is interpreting the Constitution. Most Singaporeans DON'T EVEN FUCKING KNOW the constitution...and they go and VOTE in IGNORANCE.
Like I said, The People Get The Government They Deserve. Which means, I think it is not just unfair, but WRONG to blame the govt. The govt are just people like you and me...from the same genetic stock and culture...who happened to be elected (The MPs) and tasked (the elected and the appointed) with running the mother-cuntree.
At the end of the day, the govt and the people ===> SAMA SAMA.
"The people are demanding their right to run their own lives, to manage their own money..."
RB
Under PAP, smart Sinkies are already running their own lives, and making lots of money in the process, and managing their own (bank account) money. Because they know that CPF money is hard to take out and PAP is hard (or never) to be voted out.
Matilar, knn sprouting nonsense again. Go write your books lar u motherfucker!
) how to boast about sexual power when both tiny are missing
2) the art of incest
3) the guide on how to bull shits
4) how to irritate people and waste their time daily
5) learning to be thick skin and flameproof
6) how to tahan when your ass kena fucked
7) how to act as patriot when you are a traitor
8) how to act and look normal when you are actually insane
9) learning to speak when a cock is stuck in your mouth
10) how to con your sisters and daughters to continue having sex with you without reporting to the police.
11) How to develop multi tasking skill. Sharing of secret on Learning how to type on keyboard posting commentary on blog when there is a hard cock pushing in and out in matilar mouth.
12) How to cook two tiny to be delicious enough that the pigs would eat them.
13) How to brag about your intelligence when you have none and how to tahan when both mouth and ass kena screwed at the same time.
14) How to inflate two flat tyres when the holes in the tires have not been mended!
15) How to boast to women you have a rolls Royce when you only have a Mini Cooper with four flat tires and running out of petrol!
16) The matilar secret. How do you stick your little pecker into a donkey's mouth and don't ended up the donkey chew off your little pecker and two tiny.
They are not fucking up the country. Not yet.
There is a saying, people who regular catch colds and small illness will always get them but heal quite rapidly.
People who does not get ill from small illnesses, appears healthy and good, will fall and die if they get sick. It will be a big one when it comes.
Matilar, knn sprouting nonsense again. Go write your books lar u motherfucker!
) how to boast about sexual power when both tiny are missing
2) the art of incest
3) the guide on how to bull shits
4) how to irritate people and waste their time daily
5) learning to be thick skin and flameproof
6) how to tahan when your ass kena fucked
7) how to act as patriot when you are a traitor
8) how to act and look normal when you are actually insane
9) learning to speak when a cock is stuck in your mouth
10) how to con your sisters and daughters to continue having sex with you without reporting to the police.
11) How to develop multi tasking skill. Sharing of secret on Learning how to type on keyboard posting commentary on blog when there is a hard cock pushing in and out in matilar mouth.
12) How to cook two tiny to be delicious enough that the pigs would eat them.
13) How to brag about your intelligence when you have none and how to tahan when both mouth and ass kena screwed at the same time.
14) How to inflate two flat tyres when the holes in the tires have not been mended!
15) How to boast to women you have a rolls Royce when you only have a Mini Cooper with four flat tires and running out of petrol!
16) The matilar secret. How do you stick your little pecker into a donkey's mouth and don't ended up the donkey chew off your little pecker and two tiny.
Matilar, knn sprouting nonsense again. Go write your books lar u motherfucker!
) how to boast about sexual power when both tiny are missing
2) the art of incest
3) the guide on how to bull shits
4) how to irritate people and waste their time daily
5) learning to be thick skin and flameproof
6) how to tahan when your ass kena fucked
7) how to act as patriot when you are a traitor
8) how to act and look normal when you are actually insane
9) learning to speak when a cock is stuck in your mouth
10) how to con your sisters and daughters to continue having sex with you without reporting to the police.
11) How to develop multi tasking skill. Sharing of secret on Learning how to type on keyboard posting commentary on blog when there is a hard cock pushing in and out in matilar mouth.
12) How to cook two tiny to be delicious enough that the pigs would eat them.
13) How to brag about your intelligence when you have none and how to tahan when both mouth and ass kena screwed at the same time.
14) How to inflate two flat tyres when the holes in the tires have not been mended!
15) How to boast to women you have a rolls Royce when you only have a Mini Cooper with four flat tires and running out of petrol!
16) The matilar secret. How do you stick your little pecker into a donkey's mouth and don't ended up the donkey chew off your little pecker and two tiny.
Shall we say no leeder in Sin is at fault or faulty.
IT IS THE SINKIES THEMSELVES THAT CHOSE THE LEADERS
Always bear in mind that there were and is free elections for the people to pick their leaders and sinkies preferred the PAP.
PAP is not perfect, not very bad but just bad. A lot of Fts come here, take away jobs, kick sinkies out of jobs or out of country and enjoy the fruits of the stability and security that sinkies built up here. These Fts may be sinkies one day. Its a matter of perspectives who is good or bad. Anyway there is no good gov. There is only bad or very bad or less bad gov. Look after yourselves is more reliable. Depend on gov to improve lives is waiting for a pig to fly. Election is only a game. Voters have to play it smart.
Singapore is a democratic society in the communist-run systems.
Survive and living well is the priority, and you must making sure it is sustainable.
The decision is yours to make it sustainable.
If you do not decide, other will do it for you, not in your favor !
Matilar, knn sprouting nonsense again. Go write your books lar u motherfucker!
) how to boast about sexual power when both tiny are missing
2) the art of incest
3) the guide on how to bull shits
4) how to irritate people and waste their time daily
5) learning to be thick skin and flameproof
6) how to tahan when your ass kena fucked
7) how to act as patriot when you are a traitor
8) how to act and look normal when you are actually insane
9) learning to speak when a cock is stuck in your mouth
10) how to con your sisters and daughters to continue having sex with you without reporting to the police.
11) How to develop multi tasking skill. Sharing of secret on Learning how to type on keyboard posting commentary on blog when there is a hard cock pushing in and out in matilar mouth.
12) How to cook two tiny to be delicious enough that the pigs would eat them.
13) How to brag about your intelligence when you have none and how to tahan when both mouth and ass kena screwed at the same time.
14) How to inflate two flat tyres when the holes in the tires have not been mended!
15) How to boast to women you have a rolls Royce when you only have a Mini Cooper with four flat tires and running out of petrol!
16) The matilar secret. How do you stick your little pecker into a donkey's mouth and don't ended up the donkey chew off your little pecker and two tiny.
Matilar, knn sprouting nonsense again. Go write your books lar u motherfucker!
) how to boast about sexual power when both tiny are missing
2) the art of incest
3) the guide on how to bull shits
4) how to irritate people and waste their time daily
5) learning to be thick skin and flameproof
6) how to tahan when your ass kena fucked
7) how to act as patriot when you are a traitor
8) how to act and look normal when you are actually insane
9) learning to speak when a cock is stuck in your mouth
10) how to con your sisters and daughters to continue having sex with you without reporting to the police.
11) How to develop multi tasking skill. Sharing of secret on Learning how to type on keyboard posting commentary on blog when there is a hard cock pushing in and out in matilar mouth.
12) How to cook two tiny to be delicious enough that the pigs would eat them.
13) How to brag about your intelligence when you have none and how to tahan when both mouth and ass kena screwed at the same time.
14) How to inflate two flat tyres when the holes in the tires have not been mended!
15) How to boast to women you have a rolls Royce when you only have a Mini Cooper with four flat tires and running out of petrol!
16) The matilar secret. How do you stick your little pecker into a donkey's mouth and don't ended up the donkey chew off your little pecker and two tiny.
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