Let me start by proclaiming that I am a patriot. I am born and bred Singaporean and I love this country. Singapore has given me a world class standard education, a convenient transportation system and a safe environment where I can walk alone at night and not worry too much about crimes.
I also preach often to my disgruntled friends that we need to be grateful. Grateful for the government for our economy, our high standard of living and our safe country. Our founding father, MM Lee, was a visionary, a gutsy risk taker and an very wise men. Not discounting of course, the equally as intelligent people who helped him in building this country.
Sad to say, I am also slightly apathetic towards politics. The every day hustle and bustle of life tires me enough to not want to "burden" myself with the woes of the nation. I have the same struggles as all normal middle class families. My father was a business owner who enjoyed brisk business in the good times but saw his livelihood close in the financial crisis. My mother, his life and business partner, stuck through thick and thin with him, was also forced into retirement at an early age. Lucky for my parent, the money they saved and the investments they owned, allowed them to retire and work only on a leisurely basis. My parents put 3 daughters through overseas education and we never needed to worry about the food on the table and money in our pockets.
In 2006, I married a wonderful man of my dreams. (well technically, false because Brad Pitt was the man of my dreams, but realistically speaking). He is a civil servant and in 2008, we moved into our HDB and led our middle class married lives.
Despite being a patriot and carefree individual, I watch the GE unfold in front of my eyes and I start to ponder. Why are the opposition so strong this time? Aren't we all happy middle class citizens?
I read both the PAP's and Workers Party manifesto and reflected on my own life.
Improvements can be made. And should be made.
I'm am not talking about overthrowing the regime. We have not been suppressed for a decade under an authoritarian rule or suffered under the hands of a corrupt government. But merely an alternative voice, a different perspective, an alternate view.
I also preach often to my disgruntled friends that we need to be grateful. Grateful for the government for our economy, our high standard of living and our safe country. Our founding father, MM Lee, was a visionary, a gutsy risk taker and an very wise men. Not discounting of course, the equally as intelligent people who helped him in building this country.
Sad to say, I am also slightly apathetic towards politics. The every day hustle and bustle of life tires me enough to not want to "burden" myself with the woes of the nation. I have the same struggles as all normal middle class families. My father was a business owner who enjoyed brisk business in the good times but saw his livelihood close in the financial crisis. My mother, his life and business partner, stuck through thick and thin with him, was also forced into retirement at an early age. Lucky for my parent, the money they saved and the investments they owned, allowed them to retire and work only on a leisurely basis. My parents put 3 daughters through overseas education and we never needed to worry about the food on the table and money in our pockets.
In 2006, I married a wonderful man of my dreams. (well technically, false because Brad Pitt was the man of my dreams, but realistically speaking). He is a civil servant and in 2008, we moved into our HDB and led our middle class married lives.
Despite being a patriot and carefree individual, I watch the GE unfold in front of my eyes and I start to ponder. Why are the opposition so strong this time? Aren't we all happy middle class citizens?
I read both the PAP's and Workers Party manifesto and reflected on my own life.
Improvements can be made. And should be made.
I'm am not talking about overthrowing the regime. We have not been suppressed for a decade under an authoritarian rule or suffered under the hands of a corrupt government. But merely an alternative voice, a different perspective, an alternate view.
Housing
An issue close to heart, my husband and I have applied unsuccessfully, 6 times for a flat. Out of which, I have only given a "Q" number once. And that ONE time, I had a number of 2xxx for about 1xx flats. And when I called into HDB to enquire about the estimate date of selection, I was told by the HDB representative that "Its a number that have zero chance of selecting. Its actually a number to tell you, you wont have a chance." My husband serves his country. He is hardworking and he has the passion, yet his country doesn't want to give him a roof over our heads.
My biggest thought on housing is that policies should not be made in silo. While one ministry encourage living young couples to live near their parents, another should not make it difficult to.
Housing remains one of, if not the biggest ticket item purchase. And as wages increase with economy, the government needs to shift income ceiling for HDB upwards as well, especially with the couples marrying late. Because you end up with the dilemma, "Do you wish for lower salary so that your combine income allows you to buy a HDB or enjoy the luxury of a private condominium but struggle with your monthly mortgage?"
My friends in Hougang GRC who have been unhappy with Worker's Party, stop and think about this. Why til today, is upgrading of Potong Pasir and Hougang, the "carrot" that PAP dangles to secure more votes? Just because residents there want to have that a different perspective in the government, someone to help play devils advocate, that they don't deserve a conducive living environment? While you are quick to judge WP for not "taking care" of Hougang, do you also then think whether they had a chance to?
HDB flats are government housing meant for all citizens of Singapore. When Singaporeans pledge, we use words like "equality" and phrases like "regardless of race, language or religion". Do we now need to also add "regardless of political belief"? Should basic infrastructure like government housing and transportation discriminate citizens who wish for a alternative perspective in government?
I am still at odds of who to vote for. A tried and tested PAP who has, afterall, brought Singapore tremendous success in last 40 years or an alternative voice, that also seem rather credible, if given an opportunity, to continue our success as a nation. But I refuse to vote solely for the "brandname" - as suggested by Mr Chin Harn Tong at yesterday's Aljunied GRC PAP rally.
7 May. Polling Day. We shall see.
My biggest thought on housing is that policies should not be made in silo. While one ministry encourage living young couples to live near their parents, another should not make it difficult to.
Housing remains one of, if not the biggest ticket item purchase. And as wages increase with economy, the government needs to shift income ceiling for HDB upwards as well, especially with the couples marrying late. Because you end up with the dilemma, "Do you wish for lower salary so that your combine income allows you to buy a HDB or enjoy the luxury of a private condominium but struggle with your monthly mortgage?"
My friends in Hougang GRC who have been unhappy with Worker's Party, stop and think about this. Why til today, is upgrading of Potong Pasir and Hougang, the "carrot" that PAP dangles to secure more votes? Just because residents there want to have that a different perspective in the government, someone to help play devils advocate, that they don't deserve a conducive living environment? While you are quick to judge WP for not "taking care" of Hougang, do you also then think whether they had a chance to?
HDB flats are government housing meant for all citizens of Singapore. When Singaporeans pledge, we use words like "equality" and phrases like "regardless of race, language or religion". Do we now need to also add "regardless of political belief"? Should basic infrastructure like government housing and transportation discriminate citizens who wish for a alternative perspective in government?
I am still at odds of who to vote for. A tried and tested PAP who has, afterall, brought Singapore tremendous success in last 40 years or an alternative voice, that also seem rather credible, if given an opportunity, to continue our success as a nation. But I refuse to vote solely for the "brandname" - as suggested by Mr Chin Harn Tong at yesterday's Aljunied GRC PAP rally.
7 May. Polling Day. We shall see.
