7/23/2018
To Buy or not to Buy Life Insurance is Individuals' Prerogative Rights.
To buy or not to buy life insurance policies is an individual's prerogative right. No one should be allowed to trample on this sacred human right on whatever the pretext. No insurance companies or corporations or conglomerates or insurance agents should have the right to force the people to buy life policies. No one in his right mind should be allowed to override this basic inherent human right.
Majority of working class people can hardly earn enough to sustain their every day life sustenance. Yet they have to be compulsorily forced to pay for their CPF. Do they still have enough cash left to be forced again into buying irrelevant life insurance schemes. If buying life insurance policies is made compulsory into a national commercial policy it is tantamount to stepping on an individual's basic human right.
There is no problem with the elites one percent or upper middle class ten percent population who earn hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars every year so they can buy any number of life policies they want to which ironically they do not need to except perhaps out of greed.
Big insurance companies anywhere in the world earn hundreds of millions or billions every year. But how much do they dispense due to claims, very minimal not even five percent or at most hardly ten percent .
CPF which is supposed to be an individual's life savings but has been hijacked into some sort of insurance schemes like Medisave, Medishield and Eldershield. Eldershield hardly dispense more than a few percent in claims out of the billions it has raked in as profit. And now the working class people are again forced to pay the compulsory Care Shield Life Insurance. How many more billions will this Care Shield Life Insurance squeeze from the people? And how does it intend to really dispense for subscribers when their needs arise without trying to give excuses of not paying out with illogical rules like what is happening with Elder Shield in which you can draw from the scheme only when you are bedridden, when you can't feed yourself, when you can't bathe yourself, when you are handicapped with only one eye or one leg or one arm. This is really atrocious. In other words they will dispense your claims only in the last episode of your life in the last few days, few weeks or few months of your life. Why can't they kick in the payment earlier to make the difference when an individual's life can still be saved?
So this sort of insurance scheme is very mercendary. The scheme is only concerned with making more and more money and yet it is claimed that the scheme is good for the people. Therefore the authority must not arrogate to itself the right to impose the scheme on the people. The people's interest must not be subservient and subsumed to the profit oriented interest of the insurance company or companies. Must the people continue to be conned and block chained?
For fair play the people must be given some leeway or else it is going to be troublesome when many really cannot afford to pay.
Southernglory1
The Singapore govt insurance business or racket?
The Singapore govt is going into the insurance business in a big way.
After the trial run of two compulsory schemes, CPF Life and Medishield
Life and facing no objection and opposition, it now feels free and
unrestrained to legislate more compulsory insurance schemes for the
people using their CPF savings. Now there are Eldershield Life,
Careshield Life and dunno what more are in the pipeline.
Is this a business or a racket? What I would consider or define as a racket is a scheme that the buyer does not want, does not need, cannot afford but still forced into buying it, compulsory, cannot say no.
How many people need or want to buy so many insurance schemes when they could not even afford to live decently, not having three good meals, everyday trying to make ends meet?
How many people can afford to pay for so many insurance when life is a financial struggle?
How many people would want to empty or deplete their diminishing life savings in the CPF due to inflation, high property prices to buy and buy, pay and pay, for more insurance schemes?
When a person cannot say no to buy things that he does not want, does not need, cannot afford to pay for it, it is daylight robbery no matter under what guises. No one shall be forced to buy things against his wishes especially when he cannot afford it and to deplete his life savings against his wishes.
Compulsory insurance schemes are rackets, daylight robbery in disguise.
No, it is good for the people? Sure they are good for the people, if they are not forced to buy them and can afford to pay for them. When they are schemed by other people to dip into their life savings against their wishes, the schemes are not so innocent and altruistic. And worse, when the schemes would end up in a lot of surplus or profits that would not benefit the people being forced into paying for them.
Oh, the schemes are not profit making! Did you hear that, non profit making whoa. Then why insist on keeping the surplus for the future that may not come to many of the contributors forced to pay for them? Keeping for the future, the rainy day that may not come is a bad excuse. Period.
With the stroke of a pen, a few million policies were sold as a few million CPF captive members would be made to pay for the insurance they did not want. One compulsory scheme, say 2 million paying, multiply that by 4 schemes, how many insurance policies are sold? Imagine how tough it is for an insurance agent to sell 20 policies in a year.
Damn senang to make millions and billions without having to sweat the small stuff. Worse than ‘pah chioh’ if you understand this phrase in hokien.
Is this a business or a racket? What I would consider or define as a racket is a scheme that the buyer does not want, does not need, cannot afford but still forced into buying it, compulsory, cannot say no.
How many people need or want to buy so many insurance schemes when they could not even afford to live decently, not having three good meals, everyday trying to make ends meet?
How many people can afford to pay for so many insurance when life is a financial struggle?
How many people would want to empty or deplete their diminishing life savings in the CPF due to inflation, high property prices to buy and buy, pay and pay, for more insurance schemes?
When a person cannot say no to buy things that he does not want, does not need, cannot afford to pay for it, it is daylight robbery no matter under what guises. No one shall be forced to buy things against his wishes especially when he cannot afford it and to deplete his life savings against his wishes.
Compulsory insurance schemes are rackets, daylight robbery in disguise.
No, it is good for the people? Sure they are good for the people, if they are not forced to buy them and can afford to pay for them. When they are schemed by other people to dip into their life savings against their wishes, the schemes are not so innocent and altruistic. And worse, when the schemes would end up in a lot of surplus or profits that would not benefit the people being forced into paying for them.
Oh, the schemes are not profit making! Did you hear that, non profit making whoa. Then why insist on keeping the surplus for the future that may not come to many of the contributors forced to pay for them? Keeping for the future, the rainy day that may not come is a bad excuse. Period.
With the stroke of a pen, a few million policies were sold as a few million CPF captive members would be made to pay for the insurance they did not want. One compulsory scheme, say 2 million paying, multiply that by 4 schemes, how many insurance policies are sold? Imagine how tough it is for an insurance agent to sell 20 policies in a year.
Damn senang to make millions and billions without having to sweat the small stuff. Worse than ‘pah chioh’ if you understand this phrase in hokien.
7/22/2018
The Americans coercing the UN to do its biddings
In this little red dot, China is being singled out, identified and accused as if it is the only country that is influencing, manipulating and coercing Singapore to be more friendly in its policies towards China. Now read this on how the USA is coercing and influencing the whole world, the UN, to do its bidding.
"UNITED NATIONS: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday (Jul 20) urged UN member-states to keep tough economic sanctions fully in place on North Korea and maintain pressure on Kim Jong Un to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear program.
"We need to see Chairman Kim do what he promised the world he would do," Pompeo told reporters after meeting with the Security Council.
The United States believes that North Korea can shed its "pariah" status from its nuclear and missile programs, but "it will take full enforcement of sanctions for us to get there," he said...." CNA
The Americans are using all its powers to influence and coerce the UN to impose economic sanctions on North Korea, Iran and its enemies openly, blatantly as the biggest bully in the world. No condemnation. In the North Korean case, having a few missiles and nuclear bombs is bad, a pariah state. But owning thousands of such bombs and missiles is regarded as a super power, with respect or in fear. No one dares to breathe a word about how violently wrong for a country to possess such an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. It is a given that the Americans can have all the weapons of mass destruction they want but others especially small states, cannot do so.
What irony, what injustice and abuse of military might! And the whole world is being coerced to accept this fait acompli, this status quo. No one shall be allowed to challenge the American dominance in nuclear might. It is ok for the Americans to have all the weapons of mass destruction to coerce and bully small and big states. And the Americans are not stopping at that. They are going to develop more weapons of mass destruction with more destructive powers. How's that for insanity and stupidity?
No, the Americans are not simply manipulating or trying to influence other states, it threatens everyone with wars and destruction if anyone dares to oppose the Americans.
Why should the whole world, the UN, do the biddings of the Americans to bully smaller states. The UN should say no to the Americans and ignore the American sanctions on North Korea and Iran. The whole world and the UN must rise up against this world menace from bullying small states. The Americans have no moral high grounds to stop other countries from posssesing WMD when they are the biggest culprit and daily threatening to use them to destroy smaller states.
Say No to the evil Americans and their hypocrisy. Do not agree to their sanctions against any state. The real pariah state is the USA, the biggest bully and murderer of human beans. Russia and China should take the lead to stop the Americans in the UN. Put a stop to this world menace. The sanctions must be on the Americans instead.
When would the UN tell the Americans to denuclearise? Why the Americans no need to denuclearise?
PS. Open your eyes and see which country has been fighting wars non stop all over the world, killing hundreds of thousands, millions of innocent civilians, not counting those maimed and the destruction of their countries. Which country is threatening wars, provoking wars, inciting wars and bullying countries all over the world?
"UNITED NATIONS: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday (Jul 20) urged UN member-states to keep tough economic sanctions fully in place on North Korea and maintain pressure on Kim Jong Un to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear program.
"We need to see Chairman Kim do what he promised the world he would do," Pompeo told reporters after meeting with the Security Council.
The United States believes that North Korea can shed its "pariah" status from its nuclear and missile programs, but "it will take full enforcement of sanctions for us to get there," he said...." CNA
The Americans are using all its powers to influence and coerce the UN to impose economic sanctions on North Korea, Iran and its enemies openly, blatantly as the biggest bully in the world. No condemnation. In the North Korean case, having a few missiles and nuclear bombs is bad, a pariah state. But owning thousands of such bombs and missiles is regarded as a super power, with respect or in fear. No one dares to breathe a word about how violently wrong for a country to possess such an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. It is a given that the Americans can have all the weapons of mass destruction they want but others especially small states, cannot do so.
What irony, what injustice and abuse of military might! And the whole world is being coerced to accept this fait acompli, this status quo. No one shall be allowed to challenge the American dominance in nuclear might. It is ok for the Americans to have all the weapons of mass destruction to coerce and bully small and big states. And the Americans are not stopping at that. They are going to develop more weapons of mass destruction with more destructive powers. How's that for insanity and stupidity?
No, the Americans are not simply manipulating or trying to influence other states, it threatens everyone with wars and destruction if anyone dares to oppose the Americans.
Why should the whole world, the UN, do the biddings of the Americans to bully smaller states. The UN should say no to the Americans and ignore the American sanctions on North Korea and Iran. The whole world and the UN must rise up against this world menace from bullying small states. The Americans have no moral high grounds to stop other countries from posssesing WMD when they are the biggest culprit and daily threatening to use them to destroy smaller states.
Say No to the evil Americans and their hypocrisy. Do not agree to their sanctions against any state. The real pariah state is the USA, the biggest bully and murderer of human beans. Russia and China should take the lead to stop the Americans in the UN. Put a stop to this world menace. The sanctions must be on the Americans instead.
When would the UN tell the Americans to denuclearise? Why the Americans no need to denuclearise?
PS. Open your eyes and see which country has been fighting wars non stop all over the world, killing hundreds of thousands, millions of innocent civilians, not counting those maimed and the destruction of their countries. Which country is threatening wars, provoking wars, inciting wars and bullying countries all over the world?
7/21/2018
Singapore China bashing or Kausikan China bashing?
For several weeks the Singapore main media have repeatedly publishing
Bilahari’s view on how China manipulates and coerces Singapore to become
more pro China in its policies. One comment by a Kesavapany even
suggested that this is Singapore govt’s position and Singaporeans should
speak out in a similar view to attack China for doing so. The
impression given is that only China is the only bad guy manipulating
Singapore and other big powers are not, all so innocent and angelic.
The recent spat with Malaysia over the HSR and water agreement is another episode of how Malaysia tried to influence and manipulate Singapore’s policies and decision to favour Malaysia. Or is this not manipulation or coercion? Every state would influence and manipulate another country to its advantage without exception. This is called cultivating good relations or diplomacy.
Reflect a little on Singapore’s actions and policies with other countries and ask the same questions Kausikan had asked, whether Singapore has been influenced, manipulated or coerced to act or speak in the way it did. The Philippines China island dispute case would be a good starting point. Singapore kept saying that it was not a party to the dispute and had no claim to the South China Sea islands but was the one that carried the biggest loudspeaker to lambast China, telling China to accept the decision of the funny private court in Hague and even telling China to obey the rules of law as if China was not. On the other hand, nothing was said when the Americans broke all international laws and agreements, the TPP, Paris Climate Accord, not being a member of UNCLOS.
So, was Singapore coerced, manipulated or influenced by the Americans to say those things, to behave in such a bizarre manner that eventually led to the souring of relations with China when it should have just shut its mouth like other countries? The big question, was it in Singapore’s interest to be the spokesman for the Americans against China? Singapore did it freely, willingly, to harm its own interest? If Singapore did not open its little big mouth then Singapore’s interest would be harmed by the coercive big power and by opening its little big mouth, Singapore’s interest was advanced, protected by the big power?
Another point, why would a little prick like Singapore be so willing to send its soldiers to the Middle East and Afghanistan to fight along side the Americans when all the smart countries in the world would not do so? Was Singapore being forced by the Americans, arm twisted by the Americans to do so and in so doing, stand up like a sore prick and risking itself being a target of ISIS attack? Singapore doing it willingly without being coerced to do so? The Americans did not manipulate, pressure or force Singapore to send troops to the Middle East and Afghanistan? Are Singapore leaders really so stupid to play with fire when they don't have to?
Between China and the USA, who has been influencing and coercing Singapore into doing things against its national interest? Who is the bigger devil and why nothing was spoken against the bigger devil?
You ask me? It is ok to be manipulated and do the biddings of the Americans or what the Americans did were not coercion or manipulation, no, the Americans did not influence our policies and decisions in how we conduct our international relations?
How did Singapore's healthy relations, crafted over decades by Lee Kuan Yew denegerated to this poor state of affairs? Who has or have been instrumental in sowing the seed of hate against China. Where did this hate China agenda originated?
Any Chinese Singaporean with a little ethnic pride and self respect would not take it kindly with such open warfare to bash China. It is so insensitive for Kausikan and his likes to promote such a hate China agenda in a multi racial society paying no due respect to the feelings of the Chinese community. Be he a banana, a chap cheng or a Chinese Singaporean, he has his roots in China. And no self respecting man would ignore or show distaste to his roots and ethnic identity in the face of a loose cannon attacking his roots open defiance. The reticence of the Chinese community does not mean that they are taking this kind of attack kindly or condoning it.
The recent spat with Malaysia over the HSR and water agreement is another episode of how Malaysia tried to influence and manipulate Singapore’s policies and decision to favour Malaysia. Or is this not manipulation or coercion? Every state would influence and manipulate another country to its advantage without exception. This is called cultivating good relations or diplomacy.
Reflect a little on Singapore’s actions and policies with other countries and ask the same questions Kausikan had asked, whether Singapore has been influenced, manipulated or coerced to act or speak in the way it did. The Philippines China island dispute case would be a good starting point. Singapore kept saying that it was not a party to the dispute and had no claim to the South China Sea islands but was the one that carried the biggest loudspeaker to lambast China, telling China to accept the decision of the funny private court in Hague and even telling China to obey the rules of law as if China was not. On the other hand, nothing was said when the Americans broke all international laws and agreements, the TPP, Paris Climate Accord, not being a member of UNCLOS.
So, was Singapore coerced, manipulated or influenced by the Americans to say those things, to behave in such a bizarre manner that eventually led to the souring of relations with China when it should have just shut its mouth like other countries? The big question, was it in Singapore’s interest to be the spokesman for the Americans against China? Singapore did it freely, willingly, to harm its own interest? If Singapore did not open its little big mouth then Singapore’s interest would be harmed by the coercive big power and by opening its little big mouth, Singapore’s interest was advanced, protected by the big power?
Another point, why would a little prick like Singapore be so willing to send its soldiers to the Middle East and Afghanistan to fight along side the Americans when all the smart countries in the world would not do so? Was Singapore being forced by the Americans, arm twisted by the Americans to do so and in so doing, stand up like a sore prick and risking itself being a target of ISIS attack? Singapore doing it willingly without being coerced to do so? The Americans did not manipulate, pressure or force Singapore to send troops to the Middle East and Afghanistan? Are Singapore leaders really so stupid to play with fire when they don't have to?
Between China and the USA, who has been influencing and coercing Singapore into doing things against its national interest? Who is the bigger devil and why nothing was spoken against the bigger devil?
You ask me? It is ok to be manipulated and do the biddings of the Americans or what the Americans did were not coercion or manipulation, no, the Americans did not influence our policies and decisions in how we conduct our international relations?
How did Singapore's healthy relations, crafted over decades by Lee Kuan Yew denegerated to this poor state of affairs? Who has or have been instrumental in sowing the seed of hate against China. Where did this hate China agenda originated?
Any Chinese Singaporean with a little ethnic pride and self respect would not take it kindly with such open warfare to bash China. It is so insensitive for Kausikan and his likes to promote such a hate China agenda in a multi racial society paying no due respect to the feelings of the Chinese community. Be he a banana, a chap cheng or a Chinese Singaporean, he has his roots in China. And no self respecting man would ignore or show distaste to his roots and ethnic identity in the face of a loose cannon attacking his roots open defiance. The reticence of the Chinese community does not mean that they are taking this kind of attack kindly or condoning it.
7/20/2018
A bestest solution to the perceived flaws in our education system
I say the flaws are perceived because not everyone will agree that the
education is flaw. If it is, how could Singapore be bragging to the
world that we have one of the best education system in the world with
world class top universities ranking at par with the best in the USA and
UK? If our education is so loathsome, how could our students be tops in
many tests conducted by international agencies, not ranking agencies?
Before anyone could attempt to come out with a solution to the perceived flawed education system, let’s look at the perceived problems raised as these would help those who are trying to work out a solution. The solution must address the perceived flaws or else it would be like chicken and duck talking.
From what I could gather, the perceived flaws can be narrowed down to a few points. 1. The education system is too stressful because of the great emphasis on test and grades. 2. The children are not happy because of the stress placed on them because of test and grades. 3. As a result many could not go to the top schools that they wanted, or the parents wanted them to be there.
If only that education could be less stressful, no test, and the children could end up in the top schools, everyone would be happy, the children and their parents. See, the solution is surfacing once the sources or causes of the perceived problems are highlighted.
Here is my brilliant solution
Actually ACS has in a way solved this problem by having 3 kinds of ACS schools, ie ACS Independent, ACS International and just ACS Normal or Ordinary or Traditional. What do all these meant?
Simply it means that all the parents and children would be happy if the children could be admitted into the tops schools like RI, Hwa Chong, ACS, Victoria etc etc. And when the children are in these top schools, how to make them happy, without test and the stigma of poor grades and still do very well on graduation? This is an idealistic type of education system that everyone wins, the ministry, teachers, parents and children will all be very happy, and no stress to worry about. So how to do it? Generally only a small number of parents and children are unhappy with the present education system. On one end are the parents that aspired for their children to be in the tops schools, to get good grades, without test and be happy children. On the other end there are parents and children are are realistic and understand the nature of things and are willing to accept that their children will go to the appropriate schools according to their performance in schools. This group is not crying or protesting about the present education system. Similarly, for parents and children that are doing well academically, they are also not complaining either but only in praises for the present system. So, there is only the first group of parents and children that needs to be appeased with some changes to the perceived flawed education system. There is no need to shake and rock the whole system just to cater to this group, maybe 10% or 20% of the cohorts.
Change the names of some schools to RI Special School, Hwa Chong Special School, ACS, Victoria etc. These special schools would be staffed with the best teachers money can buy, best to recruit teachers from US or Europe and pay them the highest salary possible. Not to worry about the cost of these teachers. The cost can be passed to the parents who can afford to and want their children to enroll in these bestest special schools, ie the fees would be high. Good quality schools must have the right to charge high fees.
The curriculum of these schools should be very relax to make the students happy, no pressure, a lot of play, study less, learn more. And all will graduate with a certificates issued from the respective schools, with straight As. No need to take PSLE, no need to take O or A level examinations. Just take inhouse examinations and be awarded with inhouse certificates from Singapore’s top schools.
One caveat, there is no guarantee if universities or polytechnics would accept these certificates, or if employers would want to employ such happy and stress free graduates. For those who don’t have to work for a living, this is the best school system for them. Happy happy and no need to be stressed out, a lot of free time to enjoy life, no homeworks and guaranteed good grades.
Hope the ministers in education would adopt this novel and marvelous education system of Special Schools.
Before anyone could attempt to come out with a solution to the perceived flawed education system, let’s look at the perceived problems raised as these would help those who are trying to work out a solution. The solution must address the perceived flaws or else it would be like chicken and duck talking.
From what I could gather, the perceived flaws can be narrowed down to a few points. 1. The education system is too stressful because of the great emphasis on test and grades. 2. The children are not happy because of the stress placed on them because of test and grades. 3. As a result many could not go to the top schools that they wanted, or the parents wanted them to be there.
If only that education could be less stressful, no test, and the children could end up in the top schools, everyone would be happy, the children and their parents. See, the solution is surfacing once the sources or causes of the perceived problems are highlighted.
Here is my brilliant solution
Actually ACS has in a way solved this problem by having 3 kinds of ACS schools, ie ACS Independent, ACS International and just ACS Normal or Ordinary or Traditional. What do all these meant?
Simply it means that all the parents and children would be happy if the children could be admitted into the tops schools like RI, Hwa Chong, ACS, Victoria etc etc. And when the children are in these top schools, how to make them happy, without test and the stigma of poor grades and still do very well on graduation? This is an idealistic type of education system that everyone wins, the ministry, teachers, parents and children will all be very happy, and no stress to worry about. So how to do it? Generally only a small number of parents and children are unhappy with the present education system. On one end are the parents that aspired for their children to be in the tops schools, to get good grades, without test and be happy children. On the other end there are parents and children are are realistic and understand the nature of things and are willing to accept that their children will go to the appropriate schools according to their performance in schools. This group is not crying or protesting about the present education system. Similarly, for parents and children that are doing well academically, they are also not complaining either but only in praises for the present system. So, there is only the first group of parents and children that needs to be appeased with some changes to the perceived flawed education system. There is no need to shake and rock the whole system just to cater to this group, maybe 10% or 20% of the cohorts.
Change the names of some schools to RI Special School, Hwa Chong Special School, ACS, Victoria etc. These special schools would be staffed with the best teachers money can buy, best to recruit teachers from US or Europe and pay them the highest salary possible. Not to worry about the cost of these teachers. The cost can be passed to the parents who can afford to and want their children to enroll in these bestest special schools, ie the fees would be high. Good quality schools must have the right to charge high fees.
The curriculum of these schools should be very relax to make the students happy, no pressure, a lot of play, study less, learn more. And all will graduate with a certificates issued from the respective schools, with straight As. No need to take PSLE, no need to take O or A level examinations. Just take inhouse examinations and be awarded with inhouse certificates from Singapore’s top schools.
One caveat, there is no guarantee if universities or polytechnics would accept these certificates, or if employers would want to employ such happy and stress free graduates. For those who don’t have to work for a living, this is the best school system for them. Happy happy and no need to be stressed out, a lot of free time to enjoy life, no homeworks and guaranteed good grades.
Hope the ministers in education would adopt this novel and marvelous education system of Special Schools.
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