spend to look good and feel good

As I approached a MRT station I was greeted by lines of sparkling metallic studs on the floor, nicely arranged in neat rows. With a little curiosity I followed all the way to the lift and out of the lift. And on both sides of the platform, two equally brilliant rows of studs ran across the whole length of the platform. Very well designed and a visual treat. These are aids for the blind to allow them to get to the station platform. And by stretching it across the whole platform, the blind could walk from one end to the other to enjoy the beautiful sight, guided by the studs. Very thoughtful. I am glad that we are putting in great efforts to help our physically handicaps. But I thought they could do a little more. The studs only start at the station floor. How could the blind get all the way from their homes to the station without the studs? It would be better if the studs were laid all the way to the flats or houses, through overhead bridges, stairways, underpass etc. That would make it more convenient, and would have looked more caring. Then we will be more deserving of a first world nation, looking good and feeling good. And those car parks that provided only one parking lot for the invalid drivers should change their mindsets and provide more. One is too miserly. Maybe twenty or more. As our population ages, we can forsee that in the future there will be more wheelchairs and blind people on the road. We must prepare for a nation of cripples and the sightless. What we are doing is not enough. Maybe 20% of the population, statistically will need assistance to travel around to see the beautiful gardens, parks and cities, and shopping and eating. We must do more to prepare for a nation of people that cannot see and walk but would like to see and travel around. Seriously, I am for all the assistance we can do to help those who need help. But throwing away money unnecessarily to look good is not the way to go.

open apology from lky

LKY has officially replied to Badawi, something which a gentleman like Badawi deserved. I refresh my memory but could not recall Badawi making any insinuations or racial remarks about Singapore in the past, unlike his predecessor. It would be unlikely for LKY to do so if it was Mahathir making the demand. For many years, LKY has been quite reticent about the racial slurs of Mahathir and his ministers. During that period, attacking Singapore on such grounds is the implied norm. Every minister worth to be in the good book of Mahathir must utter something to this effect to cut his teeth, so to speak. What did Singapore do? Explain, explain and explain. None feel it right or up to it to take on such comments headon, probably to avoid further deterioration of relations. Even LKY refused to be dragged in. But a closure must be made to this unpleasant way to conduct interstate relations, pointing an accusing finger across borders to score political points. Hopefully, with this letter of open apology coming from LKY, the Malaysian side could bury this episode and not to reinvent more new attacks in the future. It takes two parties to clap. And if one party insists to continue, it would seem that the Singapore side will now respond more robustly by the ministers instead of keeping quiet and avoiding the issue. One just can't keep folding his arms and receive all the blows.

a remarkable obituary

Remarkable Obituary Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge). His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and I'm a Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on; if not, join the majority and do nothing. I received this in an email and is passing it on.

myth 69

'A govt must look after its citizen first' This is the common practice and first principle of all govt. And that is where most govt has got it wrong and got into trouble. Looking after the interest of its citizens is very important but the question is how? Many went to the extent of protecting their citizens and driving away investors. There are countries which demanded that a percentage of the shares of the company must be owned by the citizens or else no investment. In this area, Singapore can teach the world a lesson. The trick is to take care of foreigners and their investments first, including providing them with jobs. The foreign investments will bring in more jobs like the IRs. That is quite clear. It is the second part, providing jobs to foreigners that many cannot see the values from it. With more foreigners here, they will consume our services like housing, transportation, medical, schooling etc. They also eat, sleep and play and spend money here. And all these provide employment and jobs for Singaporeans. Treat foreign workers well and they will bring prosperity to the people. The benefits will be filtered down to Singaporeans at the lower levels, or downstream. Keep the foreigners out and Singapore's economy will suffer and our economic progress will slow down. The conventional wisdom of barring foreigners from our shore must be changed. We must welcome foreigners.

the wheel is turning

Our parents and grandparents and their parents came to this island at a time when there were turmoil in their home countries, when getting a job was difficult. Many foreigners, maids, construction and shipyard workers or even white collar workers are here for the same reasons. Perhaps more, where they could earn more here than at home. Our young and old people are told to compete for jobs here with foreigners. And if they are unable, go overseas. Looks like the cycle is now reversed. Singaporeans are finding it difficulty to get a job at home and have to move out to find jobs to feed themselves. The cycle is being repeated but in a different direction. I have a very funny feeling that things are not right. Just cannot put a finger on what is really wrong? I don't think anyone can. No one believe that there is a problem.