Hu scores in his visit to the US

Looks like Hu Jintao went to the US with a very important message during his last trip. I thought he was being slighted by Bush. But from what the way the Bush Administration is treating Chen Shuibian's request for a stop over to Paraguay, it seems that Hu had passed a very strong message to Bush. And the message has sunk in. The Bush is now distancing his administration from Chen and not sleeping with him anymore. In this sense, apart from the intentional American protocol slips, Hu has been successful in getting Bush not to meddle with China Taiwan relations.

invited and uninvited guest politicians

Over the last few days, many descriptions were made of our fresh face politicians. One description compares them to sprinters and long distance runners. The former will appear for a short run and disappear immediately. The latter is in for a long haul, will run the distance, always there. I would like to put the two groups into a clearer perspective. The long distant runners are normally high achievers, academically very brilliant and very successful or promising young people in their professions. They have spend a major part of their lives chasing their dreams of building a successful professional career, not in politics. Then the invitation card came for tea. And most of them will turn down the offer, citing other commitments of work and family. Only after a lot of persuasion will they then reluctantly accept to come forward to serve the people. It seems that to appear not keen to be politicians is a hall mark of this group. Eager beavers are not seen favourably. And once in, they are assured of a long haul. They are virtually assured of winning and becoming MPs. For even if they lose in the election, they will still be appointed as the de facto MP with grassroot leaders and organisations in their charge. And they will have more financial muscles to do more for the people than an elected opposition candidate. They can be assured of a wonderful career ahead of them, win or lose the election. On the other hand, the sprinters, or uninvited guest politicians are normally not that high achievers or very young and untested. They did not wait to be invited. They invited themselves to the political fray, risking a career, reputation and maybe even a lawsuit. This group has no qualms or hesitation about family or career commitment. To serve the people or be politicians seems to be their main life objective. They did not pretend to be uninterested in politics. They came forward on their own to be judged by the people during an election. And if they lose, they have no other means of support, financially or grassroot organisations or a big machinery to keep them active in the constituency. They have to go back to earn a living and be part time politicians. This is a reversal of what they will be, full time politicians when elected but part time politicians if not elected. This is a mark difference from the long distant runner who will be part time politicians when elected and full time politicians when not elected. The above practically sums up the differences between invited and uninvited guest politicians.

one party system is good for singapore

After considering and reconsidering, I think the best political model for Singapore is still a one party govt. There is no need for opposition MPs or opposition parties. They are really a nuisance and only cause problems for the govt. Look at the old estates and upgrading problem. If there is no opposition, no opposition wards like Hougang and Potong Pasir, the HDB would be able to do a systematic, logical and consistent programme to upgrade all the estates according to age and wear and tear. No need to adopt incoherent policies and programmes like some old and deserving estates not getting upgraded, some young and not deserving estates getting upgraded earlier. All these are the faults of opposition parties. Now some older estates, older than Hougang and Potong Pasir, are getting angry because priority is now given to these two estates if PAP wins them over. For the good of Singapore, vote PAP and support a one party system. This is the only sensible and logical way to go. Very pragmatic and very Singapore.

good sausage making machine

how to make good sausages? just find some good meat and throw them into a good sausage making machine and out comes good quality sausage. guaranteed quality sausages from a proven recipe and formula. any sausage from any other machine, with different types of meat will definitely be inferior. there is only one proven machine, branded to last forever. anyone want fine sausages? the recipe includes good quality control, sourcing from the best quality raw material, not leaving any stone unturned, and only sold or saleable locally. not available internationally. may turn bad if exported and exposed to different environment. good for local consumption only. but for the exceptional quality, be prepared to pay the price for it. good stuff doesn't come cheap.

children in wonderland

After the last few days of election campaigning I am more convinced that we are sorely in need of a strong opposition representation in Parliament. I do not know how you people out there feel. Some of you may still think that having opposition is a waste of time. But to me, without opposition we are going to be little children in our little nursery wonderland. For once, the govt is pledging to do so many things for the people, to reduce cost of living, estate upgrading, more jobs etc etc. Even crow problem was neglected and needs an election to be pointed out. I would thought all these problems should be solved a long time ago. But these are problems to be dealt with in the future, after an election. What if there were no opposition, no election? We need competition, opposing and alternative views. We need the other hand to clap. Otherwise we will be clapping with one hand.