Creating a new social divide

The high cost of living is going to be the deciding factor in how society will polarise. The rich will be rich and the poor will be poor or poorer. This is a reality that no one can escape. What is unfortunate and apparent is how Singaporeans contribute to this division consciously. Without a healthy bank account or income, the life and future of the lower income are quite bleak actually. No matter how much assistance the govt is going to throw at them, if the poor do not help themselves and lighten their own burden, they will succumb to the pressure of simply living. Families with one or two children will definitely fare better, all things being equal, than those with 4 or 8 children. They just have more resources to bring up fewer children. And they will float to the top of the social class. Those who could not support their abundant children will simply sink lower. This is a natural social law and order. Will this social divide bring more tension and stress to our society down the road? Definitely. And it will manifest in many forms.

Unbelieveable! Taxi drivers not happy with fare hike

The taxi fare hike is coming to town and taxi drivers are unhappy. Some. Others think it is good as it will pay for some of the higher costs. For the unhappy lot, the reason is simple. All the consumers are feeling the pinch not just because of higher transport cost but everything is up. Even a 30c increase will affect a significant portion of the people. And this will affect their income. Why is it that only the taxi drivers and the commuters are the people to bear the brunt for the increasing cost? Why are taxi operators still protecting their income without having to bear any of the increases? A 30c increase for 100 passenges daily will bring in an additional $30 to the taxi driver or about $900 monthly. This will definitely be enough to cover the additional costs and maybe even pay for higher rental fees to the taxi operators. Whatever increases the commuters pay. So commuters who cannot afford the rising cost, just go for substitution. Take public transport. And if public transport also goes up, ride bicycle. For those aged or have difficulties in moving around, don't move around. Everyone must adapt to the rising cost and change their lifestyle. Lifestyle is changeable according to one's pocket.

Comparing a well against an ocean

Dr Wong Jock Onn wrote to the Straits Times lamenting how well he was received and treated by the Australians while living and working there. He said that the Australians did not have a 'us and them' mentality vis a vis foreigners. How true. He is born way pass the time when there was a 'white policy' with regards to immigration. In fact that policy is still in place but watered down. But his gist is that Singaporeans must welcome foreigners with open arms like the Aussies and make foreigners feel at home. He forgot that Australia is a continent of less than 30 million people while Singapore is a dot with 4 million people and everyone is fighting for space and air to breathe and a job to feed themself. Think carefully before comparing a well with an ocean. Australia has all the space for people of the world. Do we? We are even fighting for a seat in the train with foreigners. One day they will come to blows. In Oz, you can drive for hundreds of km without seeing a human bean.

Money grabbing politics

'Much money-grabbing from the national tills were effected by those within or connected to the elite ruling political party. I sincerely hope the Hindraf case will not only bring the plight of the Indians to the international forum but the plight of other minorities as well.' The above quote is copied from www.littlespeck.com. It is written by a non Malay who said he had left but not sure whether it is Malaysia or the civil service.

Lawyers touting?

Lawyers were fined for touting or soliciting for business. And I think many businesses are also affected by such archaic practices. Why can't a professional offers his services at the best rate that he can offer? Should we liberalise all the practices and allow the free market to regulate businesses? There shall be minimum rules governing business and commercial practices as long as fair and ethical practices are adopted. There shall be transparency and a level playing field. Cartels, monopolies and protectionism shall be removed and made illegal. We need free trade and free entreprises to bring out the best in business and individual enterprise.