This
is a follow up to my article If I am the PM and my good intention to make sure
all the MPs are up to it to run the country. And my contention is that they are
to attend a degree course in one of our top universities on the subject of
government and how to run a govt. I know that some immortals are naturally
gifted to have this skill set in born, born to rule, in them. So immortals can
be exempted from this course since they already born with this talent. For the rest
of aspiring politicians and wannabes, despite their successes in their
professional fields, they must attend this course, compulsory, if they want to
be qualified to stand for election as an MP. Our country must be run by able
men and women who are properly trained to do the job and to be paid in the
millions, more lucrative than any other profession.
The
first topic to teach them is about Democracy. They must be made to know that
this island republic is a democracy and not a monarchy or some dictatorship. So
for the first lesson I would want them to write 1000 lines everyday. And this
is what they should write.
‘A
democracy is a govt of the people, by the people and for the people.’
They
not only have to submit this to the lecturer everyday, they must all rise and
recite this everyday before the class starts. They must be told that the
political leaders of a democracy comes from the people and elected by the
people to serve the people, not to serve themselves or to serve
foreigners. Repeat this everyday, of the
people, by the people and for the people until it is second nature to them,
that they will never forget these three phrases.
9 comments:
Good luck on that.
I share the view that "democracy" is not about "freedom", and that democracy is not what most people think it is.
When he was in opposition, Lee Kuan Yew came across as a passionate defender of democracy. However as he grew older, wiser and kena "hamtam" by Malaysia's version of "democracy", plus analysing his observations in the REAL WORLD, this is his view:
"With few exceptions, democracy has not brought good government to new developing countries...What Asians value may not necessarily be what Americans or Europeans value. Westerners value the freedoms and liberties of the individual. As an Asian of Chinese cultural backround, my values are for a government which is honest, effective and efficient."
Lee Kuan Yew (educated in Cambridge and speaks English, called Harry when young) in speech entitled 'Democracy, Human Rights and the Realities', Tokyo, Nov 10, 1992
i.e. "Democracy" will only work in a culture which not only supports it, but a culture which BREEDS it.
In Singapore, the Sheeple prefer (and need) AUTHORITY to guide them and run their society.
That is UNLIKELY to change.
However, I give you 10 out of 10 for wishful thinking :-))
The Singapore Pledge was recited every day in school in the 1960s and 1970s.
Judging by the quality of LHL's cabinet and PAP MPs ... reciting the Pledge everyday got any use or not?
The first criteria for every aspiring politician is a compulsory medical examination.
Cardiologist must first confirm they have a heart in the right place.
Then a proctologist must confirm their brain not located in their arse hole.
Then the ENT specialist must confirm they are not deaf.
And an eye specialist must confirm they are really not blind.
Finally a lawyer to witness them signing a legally binding contract to agree to peacefully fuck off and retire from politics after serving two terms.
Seriously.
What part of a legally binding Advanced Medical Directive don't Yew understand?
"As an Asian of Chinese cultural backround, my values are for a government which is honest, effective and efficient."
As a Singaporean of PAP cultural background ... I've had enough of PAP's honest, effective and efficient government.
Bring on western freedom and liberties.
Degree Course No More! COE Yes!
No! No! No more degree courses
for would-be politicians.
They are very busy people.
In future, we may need those wish
to stand for GE to firstly BID
for a very LIMITED number of COEs
(Certificate Of Eligibility).
Don't laugh! Don't laugh!
The number of COEs to be released
and the members of the COE panel
may be decided by the govt of the
day.
A good system?
What say U?
Cheers.
The comment posting on Comparative roles of opposition politicians in Parliament is broken (aka "bX error"), so here is my followup:
@ patriot & RB:
The framework of the Westminster System inherited from our British overlords is akin to a kitchen.
Suppose a kitchen, say a modern kitchen. If you invite Malay chefs, you get nasi lemak, sambal goreng etc. If you have Japanese chefs, you get sushi and ramen. With American chefs (assuming there are such people who exist), you get burgers, lousy coffee and heart attacks.
i.e. Political culture EVOLVES OUT OF the overall social-ethnic culture of said cuntree. Malaysia evolved to have an opposition, and Singapore did not. Singaporeans are much more authority centric than the "relac lah brudder" "tidak apa" "suka-suka" culture of Malaysia. Singaporeans need and want AUTHORITY.
Thus we have a Benign Dictatorship to look after us from sperm-ovum to grave, and beyond the grave/ cindery remains in govt-approved columbariums.
Übermensch Lee Kuan Yew has been criticised by political theorists He's dismissed them because most of the time, he is RIGHT. Lee understands: POLITICS EVOLVES FROM CULTURE thus he states that leadership action adjusts to THE CULTURE:
"I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn't be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn't be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters - who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think." 100% correct
"With few exceptions, democracy has not brought good government to new developing countries...What Asians value may not necessarily be what Americans or Europeans value. Westerners value the freedoms and liberties of the individual. As an Asian of Chinese cultural background, my values are for a government which is honest, effective and efficient." 100% correct
"Supposing Catherine Lim was writing about me and not the prime minister...She would not dare, right? Because my posture, my response has been such that nobody doubts that if you take me on, I will put on knuckle-dusters and catch you in a cul de sac...Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society." 100,000% correct Deng Xiaoping proved this correct in his response to the Tianamen incidents in 1989.
OK, I do get it that people do not like the above. Humans are BIOLOGICALLY the same. However the culture this "biology" operates in will yield different results. "Culture" is a sort of Operating System for our brains mental activity, because culture, in a large part, constructs MEANING.
I prefer Singapore's system of Benign Dictatorship over Malaysia's "democracy". Malaysia's "democracy" is exactly why democracy can be UGLY and DANGEROUS, especially to minorities. Malaysia is overtly and legally RACIST.
It has a governing majority class of elite Malays who bully all the other ethnic groups. The ruling class is openly corrupt, and gets away with it time and again.
In Singapore, the PAP always make it crystal clear what they're about. You might not like it. It might come across as 'draconian", but at least YOU KNOW what it means.
After Lee Sr shrugs off his mortal coil, probably soon, we have no more Übermensch. Singapore needs an Übermensch---even if it is SYMBOLIC, because our culture requires it.
@121:
You want to fight culture? Good luck on that :-)
For me, I am lazy and only interested in myself. So as a lazy dun-fuck-care Singaporean, it is better to look for "lobangs" in the system and exploit them to maximum benefit.
You don't have to look very hard to find "lobangs" in Singapore politics and culture. As an 'average" person, you can live much better with a higher standard of living in Hotel Singapore, than those debt-ridden presumably rich white folks in their failing, overtaxed, welfare-entitled cuntrees.
However without an Übermesch (aka Benign Dictator/ Confucian Emperor) I don't know if Singapore will prevail. Survive, yes, prevail at the top....that's another matter.
In Singapore culture, SYMBOLISM is very important. You can argue that it is an illusion, it is fake/ dishonest/ unenlightened/ silly {insert blahdy-blah-blah-cheem-philosophical-theory-cut-and-paste-from-internet}, but you will not change the COLD HARD FACT that Singaporeans EMBRACE symbolism.
That is why Singapore has to be among #1 in arbitrary rankings of who-the-fuck-cares polls. Or that if you are rich or need to be perceived as rich, you must FLAUNT your worth (hence we have Orchard Rd and many supercar dealers). For e.g. The new Audi R8 has just been unveiled. I'll bet the Singapore dealer will be SOLD OUT and back-ordered.
"Symbols are for the symbol-minded" --- paraphrase George Carlin :-))
So in response to redbean's wishful thinking about "democracy" in Singapore, the budding politician needs to understand CULTURE and how Singaporeans are MOTIVATED through their cultural fixations---IF said politician is to be effective, be able to lead by carrot-and-stick (the only thing which works in Singapore), and to have the POWER to make a difference in the Singapore context.
A budding Singapore politician must aspire to become an Übermensch, or he/ she will FAIL.
Sorry redbean, I have to disagree with you. I know you probably mean well, but you are unfortunately wrong on this one. ;-)
Good luck on your next Hong Lim gabfest!
To Matilah Singapura my Idol.
A very Prosperous Lunar New Year to You.
Thank You for the Reminder.
I believe me am in no position to ask for democracy or anything else. However, I do enjoy saying my piece when I can, whether others like it or not.
Me very much a Ah Q or a Forrest Gump alike; mountain tortoise suits me best. I smoke, drink, gamble and do whatever within the Law or behind the Law.
I can sleep under the tree, at the void deck or anywhere like cats.
When I say or do anything, I am most at ease when others are not offended and most happy when accepted approvingly. I will avoid any curse inducing and swear inviting act but will not be kiasi to reason and scold when others deserve them.
I believe I can survive without Science and Religion but shall die like any other mortals. As such, within the short span of my existence, I shall be here to enjoy the Company of Everyone here. Let us enjoy talking.
patriot
@patriot:
The idea of me being considered an "idol" makes me feel very creepy ;-)
Yah man, enjoy your life. What is illegal, just take cover; be discreet. In Singapore the unwritten rule from the govt is "If I don't see it, I don't care" when it comes to individual freedoms which are illegal under Singapore's laws.
You can d all sorts of wild shit in Singapore. Just enjoy them in private and everything will be OK. :-))
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