opt in again

Another great voluntary contribution A letter from Ronald Ang in the Today paper complained about the plight of the single senior citizens who have toiled their lives away to build what Singapore is today but left out from the Budget 2007. He praised Lily Neo for fighting to raise their allowances from the state from $260 to $400. For those strong and able and very meritorious, they would have their counter arguments against throwing free money at these people who are unable to keep up with the hectic pace of development and are now a pathetic and helpless group. Probably Ronald Ang knew that his plea or Lily Neo's proposal would not amount to anything. So he suggested the thing that Singaporeans knows best, set up an Elderly Welfare Fund. And how to get the money for the fund? Opt in everyone. Here his suggestion includes PRs and foreigners earning $3,000 and above, to make a voluntary monthly contribution towards the fund, like the CDAC/Sinda/Mendaki funds. It is voluntary, definitely. All will just be opt in. Maybe this scheme will have an opt out option. How nice.

good news or bad news

Good News or Bad News Everytime when a new and ambitious govt plan is splashed across the News, I shivered. I fear my pocket will be burnt. All the big and world class plans like world class transport system, world class medical facilities, world class education, means the people will only have to pay more. We have heard of the wonderful facilities around the Marina, all the beautiful parks, reservoirs and canals with sporting and recreational facilities going to spring up all over the island. I like it. But I am also in fear. Who is paying for all these? More medical insurance for everyone, from Ah Ma to the cute little babies. Very good, I would say excellent. Who pays? Too much govt is going to break everyone's piggy bank. It has to be. Good things don't come free. So can we beg the govt to be less kind and less caring, and leave the people to find their own comfort zones?

fantasy or brutal truth

Tan Hock Ann wrote to the forum complaining about the smallness of a 5 room flat and having only 3 bedrooms. His pain is that a 5 room flat is too small for three generations to live in. And he is replying to the call to live with our parents. He forgot that there are talks for PR purposes and there are practical considerations. Then again, he actually does not have any reasons to complain. Singaporeans used to pack more than 12 people into a single cubicle. So a 5 room flat is a luxury to have even with 2 parents and 2 or 3 children. My practical solution to him is to buy a bigger flat. If he cannot afford it, buy two 3 room flats. It is all a matter of adjusting your lifestyle according to what you can afford. Or he can try to find a way to reduce their physical body sizes. Go on a diet and shrink the body. Then he will find more space to move around. Now I am talking cock.

how to react to tribal hostilities?

We are having tough times with our neighbours. To some, ee have bent backwards to help them very generously at times. But what have we got in return? They are now threatening us with all kinds of things, taking our commercially bought assets, accusing us of unfriendly acts, threatening us to sign treaties or agreements or else, threaten to expel our diplomats etc etc How are we, as a people, to respond to such threats and war cries? The govt will have to react as it is an inter govt issue. But should the people react, or should we just shut up as if nothing happens? And if we are to react, how? Throw stones back at them if they throw stones at us? Or pretend that we are more civilised and offer the other cheek? There were conflicting views in the MSM forums on how to react when neighbours turn unreasonable or hostile. To retaliate or to appease? There are many things that we can do and so can our neighbours, both positive and negative, like behaving like little children or respectable international citizens, or exhibiting our tribal manners. But the worst thing that we can do is to let people throw all the punches at us and we meekly take the blows, be compliant.

training for better pay

Phillipines upgrading maid skills for higher pay I am very encouraged by this move from the Phillipines govt. They are giving more training to their maids, repackage them and market them with their higher skills and training. With the kinds of training and education Singaporeans are getting, from the world best education system and world class universities, Singaporeans should repackage themselves as world class employees and should demand a higher pay. Tell their potential employers that they are better educated and better trained than the FTs and thus should command a higher salary.