It seems Western Democracy had its birth in Athens during the time of Plato and Aristotle. The system has been widely practised in western countries for hundreds of years. If we examine Western Democracy system which has spread like a disease to all ex-colonial countries we can see a lot of flaws and fraud in the system .
There are actually too many flaws and possible loop holes for frauds in the system to enumerate. Suffice to say Western Democracy is always hijacked by men of disputable characters . In short they are mostly monopolised by crooks and scoundrels who camouflaged themselves in respectable outer outlook of resplendent coats and ties.
Take for example the American Republicans and the Democrats. Aren't the two parties two sides of the same coin. They both practise the same ideologies and same doctrines and serve the same agenda. The only is difference is that the leaders in each party are fighting to be the leader or leaders of the country . As leaders many of them will pretentiously claim to fight for the people and the country but with most of them actually having secret agenda for their own benefit or selfish ends. How many of the populace have noticed that many of these political leaders after serving one or two terms in office they can live comfortably as millionaires or even billionaires which they were not in the position to do so.before.
Asia style western based democracy is even more advance. Once the party is in power it will enact laws and regulations to entrench itself in permanent power .
Actually it would be nice if all parties sincerely work for the people and the country and not for their own benefit. If that can really happen it would be beautiful and graceful for the winning party leadership to invite and incorporate some talented good character opposition leaders as members of the government. So there will be no need to demonise each other to amuse the voters except on arguments base on logic and facts.
I am actually quite ignorant and confused about western democracy which people may be amused or abused when election comes all potential candidates will be barking at each other unashamely before the people like wild dogs and hyenas. I suppose the political aspirants do not mind the hassle for once elected they can live a luxurious life of glory and comfort and the people can easily forget about their promises.
I would be pleased if netizens can contribute their knowledge about the pros and cons of western democracy to enlighten the people.
Southernglory1
Wednesday, 27th September, 2017
9/27/2017
9/26/2017
F - 1 More Good Years
More good years for who? For the foreigners to bring their cars to run on our roads and to make profits from it while our taxpayers are paying for it? During the last few sessions of negotiation it was evident that F 1 was desperate for Singapore to host this event. They could not find a more hospitable , convenient and comfortable location for this event. It was like a die die they must hold it here.
Now would this give Singapore an advantage in the negotiation to cut a better deal to Singapore's advantage? Would Singapore negotiate for a share of the revenue from the event by working on the cost from each party and apportion the revenue proportionately ? Or would Singapore still be made to bear the $150m for the 3 night event? So far nothing was said of the new terms and agreements . Did Singapore get a better deal this time or again it is OPM, never mind, just spend , who cares? What is in it for Singapore to host this event for another 4 years and what is the cost to Singapore ? Any real returns other than the intangibles? Can there be more transparency on this as hundreds of millions of public money is being spent on this event.
Posted by Chua Chin Leng Aka Redbean
Tuesday, 26th September, 2017
Now would this give Singapore an advantage in the negotiation to cut a better deal to Singapore's advantage? Would Singapore negotiate for a share of the revenue from the event by working on the cost from each party and apportion the revenue proportionately ? Or would Singapore still be made to bear the $150m for the 3 night event? So far nothing was said of the new terms and agreements . Did Singapore get a better deal this time or again it is OPM, never mind, just spend , who cares? What is in it for Singapore to host this event for another 4 years and what is the cost to Singapore ? Any real returns other than the intangibles? Can there be more transparency on this as hundreds of millions of public money is being spent on this event.
Posted by Chua Chin Leng Aka Redbean
Tuesday, 26th September, 2017
Two Chinese legends that reflect the Chinese spirit of hard work and Perseverance
Two Chinese legends that reflect the indomitable hard working spirit and perseverance of the Chinese people are Yu-Kong Yu-San and Jing Wei Niow. If there are shortcomings in these articles I beg for forgiveness and hope netizens can contribute more to these articles with their knowledgeable comments.
These two legends are selected because they have strong implications of the present hardworking spirit and perseverance of the Chinese people not only in China but also in Sinngapore and throughout the four corners of the earth.
The first legend is "Yu-Kong Yu-San". It is about a foolish old man trying to move the mountain in his village so that he could have more land for cultivation. People laughed at him saying it was impossible for him to move the mountain. However, the old man ignored them and continued to chip at the mountain spade by spade for days and weeks and months and years. People said how could he move the mountain since he was so old. The old man replied that when he died his sons would continue on the job and when his sons died their children and grandchildren would carry on from generation to generation until the mountain is levelled.
The story reflects the Chinese philosophy of achieving success through faith, determination and hard work. The Chinese have a strong belief that "Faith can move mountains." and that one must struggle and work hard diligently with great determination to achieve success.
Singapore will not be like what it is today without the great determination and the selfless contributions of Tan Tock Seng, Lim Boon Keng, Nee Soon, Tan Kah Kee, Lee Kong Chian , Tan Lark Sye and many more others. Most of them were not rich when they came to Singapore . But through their wisdom, hardwork and indomitable spirit they had helped to build up Singapore to what it is like today. They are really the pioneers and founding fathers of Singapore and Singaporeans will be forever indebted to them for their great contributions , their generosity and charity to the general society at large.
No modern country had suffered greater humiliation at the hands of the marauding West and Japan than China. For over a hundred years from 1830s to mid 1940s China was attacked , invaded and almost conquered by Western powers and Japan and reduced to a semi-colonial country and to penury.
When Chairman Mao's People's Liberation drove out the hordes of foreign thieves, robbers, scoundrels and plunderers in 1949 , he had before him an extremely poor penurious China , a China like a dilapidated house in absolute shamble. But with the guidance of Chairman Mao and his close comrades in arms in the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and the protection of the People's Liberation Army ( PLA ) China and the Chinese people were undaunted . They struggled and worked hard with indomitable spirit and determination to build up China to what it is like today, a rich and powerful country , a beacon of light and hope to the third world countries who were similarly oppressed and exploited by the Western powers - the whitemen from Europe. The Chinese will never forget that when they were poor and weak they were the laughing joke of the West and Japan who contemptuously disparaged China as "Sick Man of Asia." Now China has rejuvanated and stood up proudly with dignity and self-respect but they still continuously bad mouth about
China and try all ways and means to contain and prevent China's peaceful development.
China has risen like the legendary phoenix from the ashes. China is now sharing her success with the rest of the third world countries by helping them to get out of the shackles of poverty in building their houses, factories, roads and infrastructures like railways and ports and mining. The Chinese believe that when you are successful you must help others to be successful.Thus it is unlike the West , US and Japan who for centuries had exploited third world countries for their own benefit and who will clobber you down when you are successful.
The second legend is called "Jing Wei Tien Hai." It is about a little prinncess - Ni Wo , the youngest daughter of Yan-Di or king Yan-Di. Yan-di was one of the five legendary emperors of ancient China in which the most famous was emperor Sheng Nong. One day poor Ni-Wo was drowned in the Eastern Sea, probably off the Shantung province. It was said after she was drowned her spirit metamophosed or transformed into a legendary bird called "Jing Wei Niow." Jing Wei Niow was like a fairy , a spiritual bird. Jing Wei Niow constantly picked twigs and pebbles especially colourful pebbles to fill up the Eastern Sea to reclaim land from the sea so that others may not have to perish as she did. The story reflects on the dogged determination and persistent perseverance of the Chinese people to struggle and achieve success inspite of tremendous impossible odds.
This is reflected in what China is doing in the South China Sea. Many areas of the Chinese South China Sea are treacherous with out cropping rocks, shallow sand bars and lagoons and invisible shoals. In the past hundreds of ships had been wrecked in the South China Sea. To get rid of this danger China has been reclaiming land from the sea by filling up the treacherous areas with sand and earth. Then the Chinese build houses, farming community and light houses to warn ships of the danger in those areas. This helps ships of all countries to navigate safely from those treacherous areas and from being wrecked. Yet the vicious treacherous West , US and Japan try to put China in a bad light by accusing Chinese good deed for a wrong and fake reason that China is trying to prevent freedom of navigation of free passage for others. China had never stopped freedom of passage in the South China Sea in the past and will not do so now and in future. But it is a different matter when warmongers like US and Japan and the West intent to stir up choas ,trouble and instabilities in the region by sailing their warships close to Chinese shores and Chinese islands. For this China has the right to put a stop to their illegal provocative behaviour.
The Chinese people must never forget about the Old Man who moved the mountain and Jing Wei Tien Hai. They will always motivate and inspire Chinese to struggle hard to achieve success.
Southernglory1
Tuesday, 26th September,2017.
These two legends are selected because they have strong implications of the present hardworking spirit and perseverance of the Chinese people not only in China but also in Sinngapore and throughout the four corners of the earth.
The first legend is "Yu-Kong Yu-San". It is about a foolish old man trying to move the mountain in his village so that he could have more land for cultivation. People laughed at him saying it was impossible for him to move the mountain. However, the old man ignored them and continued to chip at the mountain spade by spade for days and weeks and months and years. People said how could he move the mountain since he was so old. The old man replied that when he died his sons would continue on the job and when his sons died their children and grandchildren would carry on from generation to generation until the mountain is levelled.
The story reflects the Chinese philosophy of achieving success through faith, determination and hard work. The Chinese have a strong belief that "Faith can move mountains." and that one must struggle and work hard diligently with great determination to achieve success.
Singapore will not be like what it is today without the great determination and the selfless contributions of Tan Tock Seng, Lim Boon Keng, Nee Soon, Tan Kah Kee, Lee Kong Chian , Tan Lark Sye and many more others. Most of them were not rich when they came to Singapore . But through their wisdom, hardwork and indomitable spirit they had helped to build up Singapore to what it is like today. They are really the pioneers and founding fathers of Singapore and Singaporeans will be forever indebted to them for their great contributions , their generosity and charity to the general society at large.
No modern country had suffered greater humiliation at the hands of the marauding West and Japan than China. For over a hundred years from 1830s to mid 1940s China was attacked , invaded and almost conquered by Western powers and Japan and reduced to a semi-colonial country and to penury.
When Chairman Mao's People's Liberation drove out the hordes of foreign thieves, robbers, scoundrels and plunderers in 1949 , he had before him an extremely poor penurious China , a China like a dilapidated house in absolute shamble. But with the guidance of Chairman Mao and his close comrades in arms in the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and the protection of the People's Liberation Army ( PLA ) China and the Chinese people were undaunted . They struggled and worked hard with indomitable spirit and determination to build up China to what it is like today, a rich and powerful country , a beacon of light and hope to the third world countries who were similarly oppressed and exploited by the Western powers - the whitemen from Europe. The Chinese will never forget that when they were poor and weak they were the laughing joke of the West and Japan who contemptuously disparaged China as "Sick Man of Asia." Now China has rejuvanated and stood up proudly with dignity and self-respect but they still continuously bad mouth about
China and try all ways and means to contain and prevent China's peaceful development.
China has risen like the legendary phoenix from the ashes. China is now sharing her success with the rest of the third world countries by helping them to get out of the shackles of poverty in building their houses, factories, roads and infrastructures like railways and ports and mining. The Chinese believe that when you are successful you must help others to be successful.Thus it is unlike the West , US and Japan who for centuries had exploited third world countries for their own benefit and who will clobber you down when you are successful.
The second legend is called "Jing Wei Tien Hai." It is about a little prinncess - Ni Wo , the youngest daughter of Yan-Di or king Yan-Di. Yan-di was one of the five legendary emperors of ancient China in which the most famous was emperor Sheng Nong. One day poor Ni-Wo was drowned in the Eastern Sea, probably off the Shantung province. It was said after she was drowned her spirit metamophosed or transformed into a legendary bird called "Jing Wei Niow." Jing Wei Niow was like a fairy , a spiritual bird. Jing Wei Niow constantly picked twigs and pebbles especially colourful pebbles to fill up the Eastern Sea to reclaim land from the sea so that others may not have to perish as she did. The story reflects on the dogged determination and persistent perseverance of the Chinese people to struggle and achieve success inspite of tremendous impossible odds.
This is reflected in what China is doing in the South China Sea. Many areas of the Chinese South China Sea are treacherous with out cropping rocks, shallow sand bars and lagoons and invisible shoals. In the past hundreds of ships had been wrecked in the South China Sea. To get rid of this danger China has been reclaiming land from the sea by filling up the treacherous areas with sand and earth. Then the Chinese build houses, farming community and light houses to warn ships of the danger in those areas. This helps ships of all countries to navigate safely from those treacherous areas and from being wrecked. Yet the vicious treacherous West , US and Japan try to put China in a bad light by accusing Chinese good deed for a wrong and fake reason that China is trying to prevent freedom of navigation of free passage for others. China had never stopped freedom of passage in the South China Sea in the past and will not do so now and in future. But it is a different matter when warmongers like US and Japan and the West intent to stir up choas ,trouble and instabilities in the region by sailing their warships close to Chinese shores and Chinese islands. For this China has the right to put a stop to their illegal provocative behaviour.
The Chinese people must never forget about the Old Man who moved the mountain and Jing Wei Tien Hai. They will always motivate and inspire Chinese to struggle hard to achieve success.
Southernglory1
Tuesday, 26th September,2017.
9/25/2017
The Dark Age of China 1830s - 1905, China Lost Territories , Self-Respect and Dignity
In the years from 1830s to Mid 1940s China and the Chinese people suffered the worst outrage, insult and humiliation at the hands of Western imperialism and Japanese imperialism. It was a Dark Age when China was forced to cede large chunks of Chinese lands to the Western imperialists inclusive of England, France, Germany, Russia and Japan. China was reduced to a semi-colonial country where all the political and financial powers rest in the hands of the hordes of invading imperialists. All the major ports and cities were under imperialists control where they assume full control over customs, excise duties and taxes and thus depriving the Chinese of its revenues and impoverished China.
In the years from 1830s to mid 1940s China was weak because the Ching Dynasty and later the Kuomintang were corrupted to the core and were unable to stand up to foreign aggressions. Many European countries inclusive of England, Russia, France, Germany, Holland and Japan and US took undue advantage to invade China.
Each and every country that invaded China would after their victory in wars against China demanded from China to cede large chunks of territories to them . And on top of that they each forced China to to pay "indemnity " of several hundred million Chinese silver dollars. This indemnity money impoverished China for over a hundred years for China had to pay the extortion every year until the victory of Chairman Mao's Peoples' Republic of China in 1949 , when China stopped the payment.
In the years 1850s to 1860s there was a Chinese revolution - The Taiping Rebellion to get rid of the corrupted Ching Dynasty and to evict all foreigners from Chinese soil, The Taiping Revolution was led by a just as corrupted leader called Hong Siu Chuan.
The European powers , Japan and US saw no advantage in supporting a strong Chinese government where they would stand to lose all the advantages and benefits. Therefore they banded together to help the Ching Dynasty to destroy the Taiping Revolution.
With the corrupted Ching Dynasty back in control the Europeans and Japan were able to rob off big chunks of Chinese territories with impunity from 1850s to 1905. Russia occupied vast tracts of Chinese territories of a few million square miles from Lake Baikal to the Pacific coast including the Sakhalin Island. Russia also carved away large chunks of Chinese land from the western province of Sinkiang. England took away Hong Kong and many of the ports and cities inclusive of Shanghai, Tien-Ching, Ning-po and Amoy. Germany took control of the province of Shang-tung Peninsula and the Japanese took away Liu-Chiu Tao ( renamed by Japan as Okinawa ). In 1905 Japan also invaded Taiwan and some other smaller islands in the East China Sea.
All these stolen lands from China are still in foreign hands awaiting for the day of redemption when China is strong enough to claim back. The Chinese would never take an inch of foreign land but the recovery of all lost Chinese territories is a must.
Southernglory1
Monday, 25th September,2017
In the years from 1830s to mid 1940s China was weak because the Ching Dynasty and later the Kuomintang were corrupted to the core and were unable to stand up to foreign aggressions. Many European countries inclusive of England, Russia, France, Germany, Holland and Japan and US took undue advantage to invade China.
Each and every country that invaded China would after their victory in wars against China demanded from China to cede large chunks of territories to them . And on top of that they each forced China to to pay "indemnity " of several hundred million Chinese silver dollars. This indemnity money impoverished China for over a hundred years for China had to pay the extortion every year until the victory of Chairman Mao's Peoples' Republic of China in 1949 , when China stopped the payment.
In the years 1850s to 1860s there was a Chinese revolution - The Taiping Rebellion to get rid of the corrupted Ching Dynasty and to evict all foreigners from Chinese soil, The Taiping Revolution was led by a just as corrupted leader called Hong Siu Chuan.
The European powers , Japan and US saw no advantage in supporting a strong Chinese government where they would stand to lose all the advantages and benefits. Therefore they banded together to help the Ching Dynasty to destroy the Taiping Revolution.
With the corrupted Ching Dynasty back in control the Europeans and Japan were able to rob off big chunks of Chinese territories with impunity from 1850s to 1905. Russia occupied vast tracts of Chinese territories of a few million square miles from Lake Baikal to the Pacific coast including the Sakhalin Island. Russia also carved away large chunks of Chinese land from the western province of Sinkiang. England took away Hong Kong and many of the ports and cities inclusive of Shanghai, Tien-Ching, Ning-po and Amoy. Germany took control of the province of Shang-tung Peninsula and the Japanese took away Liu-Chiu Tao ( renamed by Japan as Okinawa ). In 1905 Japan also invaded Taiwan and some other smaller islands in the East China Sea.
All these stolen lands from China are still in foreign hands awaiting for the day of redemption when China is strong enough to claim back. The Chinese would never take an inch of foreign land but the recovery of all lost Chinese territories is a must.
Southernglory1
Monday, 25th September,2017
9/24/2017
Rugao, Jiangsu, China
Rugao, Jiangsu, China
This is my third day in Rugao. Weather a bit cool, about 25C and clear sky, no haze.
Yesterday spent whole day on tour of city area and the main place of interest was a huge mansion of a Ming Dynasty gentry, Mo Pi Jiang and his consort Dong Xiaowan. It was as big as Chinese Garden and with the houses and ponds still intact. would post some of the pics to show the architecture on my return.
Friday was a big rush, leaving office at 10.10am for Changi, depart at about 1pm, arrived about 5.30pm. Then waited at Pudong Airport in Shanghai for 1 and a half hour for our coach to Rugao. It took another 3 and half hour travelling in the day. The highway was new and smooth flowing and did not travel at high speed. Had a couple of stops along the way. Coach was new and comfortable.
Reach Rugao almost midnight. First big problem was struggling with the local Sim card. It did not work. The phone did not support the card and affected several of us. Finally confirmed the problem and had to rent a temp hp costing 10rmb per day this morning.
Rugao is a small city, probably 4th or 5th tier, about 1440 sq km, twice Reddot but only 1.4m people. It is a booming little city and the high rise is taking over the city scape. The residential homes were low rise semi Ds or detached and low rise condos. My, anytime better than ours and the roads were clean and nicely landscaped, quite like Reddot but cleaner in many places.
The people are well dressed, looking very well off and modern. But they are locals and were quite surprised that we could converse in Mandarin. Our Indian colleagues were celebrities and sought after for photo taking as novelties.
Oh, the lunch for the tour was unbelievable. About 14 courses in a restaurant private room. Cost, 38 rmb or about $8 per head. We were speechless as they kept pushing out the dishes non stop. And the dishes were good, very good, with green tea.
We had another great feast for dinner. When they served the cold dish, 8 plates, including cold steam prawns, cold beef, cold pork jelly etc etc, we were stoned. Definitely could not finish, the cold dish alone. And they served another 15 or so dishes, more prawns, crabs, big fish, pork leg, chicken etc etc, we gave up by the 4/5 dish. There were 6/7 of us per table.
Help came when another 6 late arrivals came to join us. Even then so much food were left unfinished.
Cost 600rmb per table. That is the cost of living here. Unspoilt by commercialism in a small ancient city with all the modern facilities. The shopping malls were no different from ours. I did not bring my shaver, thought it would be provided by the hotel and had to get a new Philips shaver, the cheapest at 119rmb.
In the evening there was a stage performance out our hotel next to a shopping mall to promote the opening of a gym. The stationary bikes for for the gym were the latest models, nver seen before. And the performers, all young people not different from our Orchard Rd kids. The drummer of the life band was a 12 year old boy and whacking the drums like a pop artiste.
Posted by Chua Chin Leng
Sunday, 24th September, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)