Are intangible ethos important or GDP numbers?

“In a troubled world, few societies can devote themselves to such intangible ideals, much less act upon them. But here in Singapore, thanks to the heroic efforts of several generations, we can all realistically aspire to live by these values, and turn our vision into reality.”  Lee Hsien Loong

I am pondering over this statement by Hsien Loong in his latest new year message. He acknowledged that the effort and wisdom of several generations of Singaporeans have led us to what we are today. No doubt Singaporeans have come a long way to this state of affluence and hopefully this will continue to go the way of future Singaporeans. We are still having good times and living in prosperity, with some more prosperous and some less prosperous, and a few being left behind, fallen through the cracks. The latter is unavoidable but could be managed more carefully and could be avoided if there is a determined will to do so. We have the money and resources to do it. (I hope so).

How long would our good fortune last? With the influx of wildlife with different mentality and cultures, many inferior, being forced into our midst, would the new mix of Singaporeans be better off than before, to  toughen our will to succeed? Or will the high content of wildlife dilute and weaken the social fabric of Singaporeans and our social ethos? The idiots do not think so, the main reason why they are importing so many without any worries, just to boost up the GDP to justify for the million dollar salaries and high bonuses.

It is very difficult to build to what we have today, like how many families built their fortunes over generations. But it is so easy to destroy everything in one generation or by the irresponsible appearance of a prodigal son. Would Singapore be destroyed by one generation of stupidity of its leaders? We have yet to witness how Singapore would turn out in another few decades ahead and all everyone is saying is that what this govt is doing is good. Really?

The glory of an Empire would burn its last flame, the last flicker could be the brightest, before being snuffed out forever. No empires could see the making of their last days as bad, thinking they were doing their best and everything was right, and the empire would last forever in their good hands. The British Empire in Singapore could not believe that they would be overrun by the Japanese within a few days. The Americans could not believe that they are no longer the uncontested and unchallenged Number One Empire today and are furiously and desperately clinging to their glories for a few more years before being eclipsed for good.

Are we seeing the last few good years of Singapore before the curtain falls? When there are so many wrongs being ignored and even insisted as good, the days of reckoning are near. The moment of death is usually preceded by a few moments of life as if the dying has recovered. The American Empire is in this state of health under Trump, looking like it is great again but could be in its last gasp before the end.

Whither Singapore and Singaporeans?