Economic frustration ie high cost of living, low income will lead to social and racial divisions

 PM Wong warns economic frustrations can deepen social, racial divisions in Singapore

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says Singapore is not immune to such pressures, pointing to racist comments online and divisions between foreigners and Singaporeans.  CNA

Lawrence has said it, the pressure on the populace caused by wars, instability and high cost of living, couple with low income, is going to take its toll on the people. If people earning $1m, $500k or $100k are feeling the stress or discomfort of money not enough, what about those in the lower rung of the income ladder? What about those living from paycheck to paycheck, and those still finding it not enough to get by? Then what about those that have no income, the unemployed and the retirees? It is so scary to see prices running away everyday when one has no income, no saving or little savings.

The frustration, fear and the struggle to live, to put food on the table are real, to be able to afford 3 meals in the richest country in the world but unable to do so. Then there are stupid schemes that taxed on the poor that are struggling with every cent they have but have to pay for plastic bags and bottles. Are these really clever ideas? The cost of implementation is not peanuts compare to the savings, and savings for who? The hardware, software, the people to manage the system, and the millions of Singaporeans crawling around like ants to get a few cents or a dollar refund. Millions of people have been set in motion to bring plastic bottles, cans and whatever just to claim back a few cents. What about those seniors that were unable to crawl to the machines to claim their 20 cents? To those that have to forfeit claiming, it means that they are paying more unnecessarily.

To the millionaires, what is a few million dollars? To those at the bottom of society, every cent counts. Stop squeezing blood from stones. Squeezing a few cents from the poor is going to increase the frustration and anger of the have nots. Oh, they did not know a few cents here and there can be very painful to the poor Singaporeans. Oops, there is no poor Singaporeans. They can afford to pay for a few plastic bags, a few cans, a few plastic bottles. I just found out that these are paid in advance in FairPrice supermarkets. So very clever. Deserving of being paid in the millions. Ooops, oops, oops,

Who really cares about economic frustration when mindless schemes are introduced to pinch on the already no money in the pocket citizens? Oops, better not say more. When so much pressure is being built up by so many things over time, a straw will break the camel's back. The anger is there waiting to blow up. It just needs a spark.  Oops, just my opinion. No need to believe this will happen.

What is economic frustration? Actually it is relative. To some, it means missing on the $1m or $100k bonus, to some it means missing on the $10k pay hike. To some it means having to pay another 20 cents, or another $1 for beer cans. A bit like Donald Trump. What I want I take. Who is there to stop me?