2/22/2015

Online debate more balanced but political blogs more anti govt




This is the finding of the Institute of Policy Studies and appeared in the ST a couple of weeks ago. The IPS survey also assured the Govt that social media is not a Wild Wild West domain and discussions are quite balanced but political blogs are more anti Govt.

I would like to correct IPS on this, that political blogs are anti Govt. There is a world of difference between unhappy and critical of govt policies and being anti govt or more appropriately anti PAP. Just like the commentator ‘simple’ who called me pro China just because I wrote about the farce and hypocrisies of the West and Japan that he is probably more in tune with and agreeable. Exposing hypocrisies and telling the uncomfortable truth that happened to favour China is not necessary pro China. Speaking about the injustice against the Chinese civilization is not pro China but pro justice. If such a simple reasoning cannot be grasped then it is a waste of time trying to explain what it means.

There are many critics of govt policies. And this is not anti govt. There will be no or lesser criticisms of the govt if the policies are well received.  Citizens do not criticize the Govt as a past time, as a fad.  Is it wrong to speak up and disagree with govt policies that are seen as unreasonable or unacceptable or even foolish and against the people? Speaking up against bad policies is NOT anti govt. Hope IPS will be able to understand this subtle difference. Does IPS know what is the meaning of anti govt? Sure they know but the comment must have come about because of an obsession to see things in black and white.

Who would be hitting out against the Govt if the policies are good and well conceived and received? Neither is there a need to praise the Govt whenever good policies are made.  Only an insecure Govt needs to be praised daily. Unfortunately good policies are few and in between for a long time. You may disagree and feel otherwise. Anyway the Govt will be well rewarded when they made good policies by their self rewarding system that is one of a kind in the word. I don’t think there is any govt in the world that would reward themselves with 12 to 24 months of bonuses if they did well. A conflict of interest? Govts are expected to do well and their reward is to be reelected or be booted out if they failed.

Oops, I am criticizing another govt policy, so am I anti govt?

6 comments:

  1. What about the Singapore Parliament?
    Is it fair to say that it is an anti-Workers' Party Parliament?
    Can we say that the Singapore Parliament is not very constructive in its criticism of the Workers' Party?

    ReplyDelete
  2. A good regime will make its people as happy as the Rulers themselves. This is SIMPLE WISDOM.

    I HAD ALWAYS WISH THAT THE SCHOOLS OF POLICY STUDIES BE CLOSED DOWN. SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING A VERY LOUSY JOB.
    THEY NOWHERE NEAR THE SOCIAL MEDIA IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS IN POLICIES AND FORMULATION OF NATION BUILDING. THEY FAILED TO BOND THE RULERS WITH THE PEOPLE. THE EXPERTS IN THESE SCHOOLS OF POLICY STUDIES ARE THEMSELVES BOOTLICKERS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. THEY KNOW TO BE PART OF THE POWER REWARDS THEM AND GIVE THEM MUCH BENEFIT.

    In the Internet, the Citizenries are contributing much ideas of nation without asking or expecting returns. Most are idealists hoping to live in a peaceful, prosperous and egalitarian society.
    Anyone with commonsense should know thatr any society rule by absolute power and worse with huge wealth gap can never be good.

    I think the Schools of Policy Studies lack the Conmonsense.

    patriot

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think the Schools of Policy Studies lack the Conmonsense.
    patriot
    February 22, 2015 11:06 am

    He who pays the piper calls the tunes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Uncle Red Bean,

    My humble opinion is:

    That when we have ordinary stones fast-tracked into precious stones, and assumed that they are diamonds, the hardest stone in the world, the best, then these stones will not withstand the real scrutiny of curious and expert eyes with their specialized and passionate skills.

    The same applies to people who have gone through life in the fast-track, just because they had scored 4 to 6 As in the A-Level Examination. These people's career-path and fortune are made for life, because some people assumed that they will make excellent leaders.

    They sail through life comfortably, easily, plainly and ingested with whatever knowledge they acquired from books but without any practical skills.

    So, how can these pampered "leaders" withstand the scrutiny of the expert eyes and mouth of passionate specialists using all the means available to them in this Information and Cyberspace Age?

    Times have changed. But our so-called "leaders" are still fixated in the Past Glory. Resting in the laurels of Past Leaders. Sailing upon the tides and waves of the Momentum created by Past Generations. Thinking that people are still dumb and daft. Thinking that they are the cleverest and smartest, and nobody should challenge their perceptions, judgements and decisions.

    So, there is a Clash of Reality,
    a Conflict of Interests,
    a Crisis of Trust,

    and an

    URGENT AND SERIOUS NEED FOR CHANGE!

    For better or for worst, nobody really knows. But try we must, for it has gone for too long. No matter what, the people must wake up collectively and give it a try.

    We have done it in 1959(Self-Rule given by Colonial Powers),

    and in 1963 (Merger with Malaysia)

    and in 1965 (Independence)!

    That was our Past Records, the Records of Singapore (not the records of PAP alone).

    Be brave, rise up and give it a try. Only then we will know better.

    IF THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY!

    ReplyDelete
  5. RB,

    I have no problem with your main comments in this posting. As you opined, Anti-policy does not authomatically mean anti-govt, and vice versa. SIMPLE logic. Tiok bo?

    But if you keep on insisting that pro-chinese civilisation goes hand-in-hand with pro-PRC govt, isn't that SIMPLY RB-illogic? Cannot be, tiok bo?

    Notwithstanding, Btw u may like to know that I generally do enjoy your postings on local issues and politics.

    ReplyDelete