When are they going to stop?

Before they stop and you stop, you have lost by default. And all Singaporeans have been losing all these years by default to the extent that the govt thinks that it is its right to plan the people's life using the people's hard earned money. This is the most serious implication of all this compulsory annuity schemes and using legislation to keep the people from their life time savings. The people must say no to this kind of mentality. The govt can self help itself with the public coffer but not the pockets of the people. Singaporeans have given up this right to their own money. And if they don't do something, this right will be forever enshrined in all the legislations that they no longer have any say to their money. If this is not ridiculous, what else can be, in the city of possibilities? My message is simply, don't mess around with my money. I want my money back. I decide what and how I want to do with my money. And don't give me that crap that I will come crawling to the govt for charity. I am prepared to sign an undertaking if needed be that I will not ask for public assistance, not even for $290. Would that be enough? There is an online petition on this and Singaporeans should say no by signing on it.

HDB lease buy back scheme

This is perhaps the best option that the govt has proposed recently. With this scheme, oldies can at least live their last years with some financial certainty and a roof over their heads. They will be independent even if their children abandon them. And with this scheme, there is no need for annuity. The people need to be suspicious if any joker still insists on an annuity on top of such a scheme. And for anyone who can provide proof of his assets that are better than those 3 roomers who opted for this scheme definitely do not need annuity. They have much much more to provide for themselves and are capable of providing for themselves.

Celebrating Singaporeans: Ho Ching

The East is getting redder. That's what Mao said in his heydays. Yes the world is changing and changing so rapidly. Of the 3 women that were voted the most powerful or influential in the world by Forbes, two were from Asia. Wu Yi, a deputy premier of China is ranked number 2. And Ho Ching, a private business excutive, CEO of Temasek, is number 3. Wu Yi is from the world's most populous nation, and moving fast to become an economic power. And Ho Ching, from a little red dot, one of the tiniest nation. She even out ranked Condolezza Rice and woman Presidents and Prime Ministers. Her achievements even outshine LKY and Hsien Loong in being ranked in the top three by Forbes. LKY and Hsien Loong have never been in the top ten. She is not only a giant in a little red dot but in the international community. Wow!

Korean hostages - Not end of story

Now that the hostages have all returned to S Korea, it is time to settle scores and talk cock. One corner are the bravados, the never negotiate with the enemy heroes. They are now screaming at the S Korean govt for giving in and undermining their position. This will encourage more hostages to be taken. How they wish the S Koreans were killed as martyrs. Then they can called for more attacks against the kidnappers. The S Korean govt is a big let down. Whimps. Another corner are the evangelists. They should be screaming 'Praise the Lord' for answering their prayers and returning the hostages safely. God has answered. And time to plan for more missions to save the Afghans. Their belief in the Almighty must have been strengthened. Some interviewed have expressed that the S Koreans were there to do a good deed and would likely be encouraged to do more good deeds. And the S Korean govt is going to settle the scores for the foolishness of those involved in the mission. All will have to pay, at least financially, for the ruckus. It was humiliating for the govt to have to negotiate with the Talibans and to be blame for any failure to bring the hostages home safely. Will the story be repeated again, by some other countries?

The Singaporean Dream

In his first National Day Rally speech after the general election Hsien Loong painted a big dream for Singaporeans, a first world lifestyle with the two IRs. In his second rally he painted a renewed Singapore with Punggol 21 as an example of how things will be. These will be the dreams of the new generations. The older generations used to dream of reaching 55 and getting their CPF to go Batam. Now they have two more dreams. One to start collecting their minimum sum at 62(may 67 next time) and a second dream to collect their annuity forever when they hit 85. The 55 dream used to be the biggest dream of all. A time to reap their life time reward that they have saved all their working years. Now this will only be a fleeting dreams to many as not all will have much money to withdraw when the day comes. And for those who are below 57, the 62 dream will progressively be pushed further to the future. It will become the 63 dream, 64 dream and 67 dream. Who knows, it can become the 70 dream one day. Likewise, the 85 dream is still a dream and may become a 90 dream. It is good to have so many dreams. Carry on dreaming, Singaporeans.