We are Singaporeans

Sometimes I wonder if we are Singaporeans or only some people are Singaporeans and the rest are not or even worse, are enemies of some Singaporeans. Alternative parties and their members are also Singaporeans. They are not enemies of the country. They are there to provide an alternative govt. The real enemies of Singaporeans and Singapore are those that sold out the interests of the people to foreigners. Make that very clear.
 
Critics of govt policies, people who disagree with govt policies, bloggers, netizens, they are also Singaporeans. There are the soul and conscience of the people. They wanted the wrongs to be righted, they wanted the country to steer away from the cliff, from making irreparable damages to country and people. They are loyal citizens that are brave and willing to speak out. If there is no one to speak out for Singaporeans, it would be a sad day as they could be sold by rogue govts one day. The critics are not enemies of the country. Who made them enemies of the people, or what made them enemies of the people? Why are they treated like enemies of the people for speaking out against policies that they passionately feel are not good for the people and country? It is not a crime to disagree with govt policies. The govt is not always right.
 
I must admit that some people will regard the critics and alternative parties as enemies and would want to get rid of them by all means. When you make someone an enemy, they will make you their enemy as well. Why would people want to make enemies of other people when they could be friends or if not, worthy opponents in the political arena, without being enemies. It is a right protected by our democratic Constitutions to form political parties, to express freely without going into libels or defamation.
 
The days of revolution, when the contest for political power was by the barrel of the gun are over. If we have not progressed from that dark period of history and still live with a mindset of yesteryears, then we are asking to be buried by the old ways. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
 
Many countries, even 3rd world countries, have developed a mature political system when the transfer of political power becomes part and parcel of their system, when politics is a contest of ideas and not gangland warfare waged by gangsters. They have moved on and become more civil in relations among rival politicians. They know that they have to be civilised to each other in a democracy. They know that their turn will come when they will lose power and would like to be treated decently by the new power of the day.
 
In democracy, political power cannot be forever, cannot be entrenched for life. Every politician will have to face defeat sooner or later, or have to step down from office. They cannot hide and be protected by the power of their office forever and think they can behave arrogantly or act like gangsters. They cannot afford to make enemies unnecessarily. Their good fortune must come to an end one day and they must face the consequences. If they make enemies, they will have to contend with their enemies in power. If they make friends, they can expect their friends to treat them kindly.
 
That is the politics of a mature society. Have we reached this new level of civility? Or are politicians of rival camps still regard each other as enemies and walking around with knives and daggers waiting for blood letting?
 
We are Singaporeans, and better to stay that way as family than enemies, all inclusive.