7/15/2010
American Human Trafficking Report a political tool?
Andy Ho wrote an article in the ST today claiming that the annual American Human Trafficking Report is a political tool. He also alleged that the report has a history of inaccuracies. And the better part, for almost a decade, the report conveniently left America out completely without any grading. Finally this year it placed America among the Tier One country, that is, free of human trafficking blemishes.
Am I surprised or no? This report was a de facto world authority in monitoring abuses in human trafficking. Who has accredited this report and given it such a high status is as good as god knows. For those who have been victimized by the Americans, this report is plain rubbish, biased and distorted and adulterated. It is at, its best, an American doctored bastard piece of work.
Only countries that were not smeared or attacked by the Americans would have agreed with the American reports. And they would even believe the American reports to be truthful and authoritative. Only when the Americans shafted the rubbish into their throats would they stand up to repute the reports and call it nonsensical.
Economy in the pink of health
Our economy is growing at a phenomenal rate. Thanks to the able govt. The superlative growth will bring prosperity to everyone. The next GE will surely see the ruling party being voted to power again.
It can't be helped. The people will have to accept it. Where else can you find a govt managing the country and economy so well.
IRs big contributors to economic growth
Our economic growth data for the year is astronomical and unbeliever. Thanks to the two IRs. The numbers of 13-15% are being quoted, way above the 10% of China. In absolute term our 15% may be infinitesimal, but in percentage term it is something to crow about. We are saved by the two IRs definitely.
Now what? Shall we have another one or two IRs? With the present two, our economic growth has shot up by 10%. Another two IRs will see 20-30% quite achieveable. That would be really unbelieveable and a world record again.
But going this route could push the two and then four IRs into the red, like the stock market. Too many stocks and derivatives and too few investors, with many becoming penny stocks or ghost stocks. The two IRs are doing roaring business. Another two may also do roaring business if the supply of visitors and gamblers continues to grow. If not, they will go kaput.
Maybe a little restraint will be better. Follow the public housing policy. Build lesser than the demand and be happy with the long queues of applicants and over subscriptions. Prices can be pushed higher and higher with demand swarming over limited supply. The entrance fee for citizens can also be raised if the number of IRs remains at two.
This is creative management of supply and demand in a free market economy and everything else can be left to free market forces. And if prices go up, just point the finger at the free market forces. It is the problem of the market. Or it is how free market should work. Long live free market and free entreprises.
7/14/2010
What is Third World politics?
Let me try to figure out what are the features of a Third World political system from what we see in the Third World countries.
1. Often it is run by a dictator or near dictator leader who leads with an iron fist.
2. Political power is used in every aspect of life to the advantage of the political leader. It is as good as power is right, power talk.
3. Money is a very important element to the political leadership. They just keep amassing themselves with wealth and become very wealthy. This is not true for the masses, and the income gap is always very wide, beyond any reasons.
4. The political leader is always surrounded by henchmen that do his callings. And the henchmen can be ruthless but always mindful of who they are beholden to.
5. Govt machinery and organisations are used to pursue the political objectives of the leader, especially in dealings with political opposition.
6. Political opposition are treated with disgust. They are often harassed, intimidated, persecuted, threatened and imprisoned.
7. Change in political power to another party is unheard of and cannot be accepted
8. Political power is often transferred from father to son or within the family.
9. The military is often used to back the political leadership and could be unleashed to seize political power if needed.
10. Children and family members of the political leader are often blessed with exceptional talents and abilities and are thus appointed to head all the important agencies.
We can see these features very clearly in the times of Saddam Hussein, in Libya, in North Korea and many Afro Asian countries.
7/13/2010
Notable quotes by LKY
'The Taiwanese are ruthless, Hong Kongers are shameless and Singaporeans are ignorant. People who are ignorant are not corrupt and reliable.'
The above is quoted from Today paper 13 Jul 10.
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