LTA/ MRT 'Bag down Benny': a serious compromise of public transport safety+ security.

LTA/ MRT 'Bag down Benny': a serious compromise of public transport safety+ security.
LTA bag down campaign(s) to squeeze more people (like sardines) into MRT trains:...

sauce:http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb...ess-on-pt.html 

SLA lassitude costs SG gahmen $1,362,664 in 8 mths rental revenues lost, eateries disrupted and public safety risk nightmare.

The lazy folks @SLA should have their bonuses CUT.
Full report 'Tenants upset over Evans Rd shambles' as appended below.

As I understand, it is standard practise for all landlords to collect 1 month rent asdeposit for each year in rental contract signed: e.g. for a 3 yr rental contract, 3 mths deposit is payable, 10mths for 10yrs and so forth.

'the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) terminated its tenancy agreement with master tenant Winsta Holding on July 31': the day of termination should have been THE SAME DAY that the plot was put up for re-tender, but no, the retender was delayed till Nov30th, a cool 4 months of nothing done, rent collections wasted. Now SLA is saying that the new tenancy will start on Aprils fools day (1st April) 2016, very funny SLA, that is another 4mths proper rent forgone between 1st Dec 2015 and 1st April 2016. I believe that if the SLA (and other gahmen depts) had its finger on the pulse of what was happening @ Evans Rd, " several employees were involved in 'undisclosed interested party transactions'", it would have been more prepared with the re-tender process rather than delaying the process by an additional 4 months.

PAP philosophy= Parliament needs 1/3 opposition presence for maximum growth.

PAP philosophy= Parliament needs 1/3 opposition presence for maximum growth.

Quote:

Minister Lim Swee Say: I have a formula for GDP growth for the next 10 years In his speech at an employment fair, newly-minted Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say proclaimed that he has a formula for GDP growth for Singapore in the next 10 years....'In the last 10 years, we have been growing our economy based on a simple formula of ‘3+1=4’ : 3 per cent growth in our workforce plus 1 per cent improvement in our productivity to give us 4 per cent growth in our economy.' http://statestimesreview.com/2015/07...next-10-years/

In the last 10 years, most of the 3% workforce growth has come from letting in foreigners en masse for employment in Singapore.
As at 2010, the composition of labor workforce (including foreign domestic workers) was as follows:
Source:https://wayangwayang.wordpress.com/2...-in-singapore/

Given to foreign labourers and PMETs receiving ample employment opportunities to work in Singapore, PAP achieved overwhelming success at increasing GDP (with Singaporean citizens providing only 54.7% of workforce), it is time to take a leaf from the PAP's indiscriminate dependence upon foreign workforce philosophy and apply the same to increasing opposition presence contributing to the diversity of options considered in parliamentary debate.

Indeed, Singapore will do much better with a 1/3 opposition presence in parliament.

Follow PAP's precedent, confidently vote capable opposition candidates into parliament (to drive home need for GRC system reform).

Follow PAP's precedent, confidently vote capable opposition candidates into parliament (to drive home need for GRC system reform).

When PAP faced the problem of stagnant GDP, Minister Lim Swee Say decided to import foreigners en masse to increase their employment in Singapore: "the Manpower Minister (Lim Swee Say) said that Singapore should only increase the population at 1% and get the 2% growth from increased productivity: 'In the last 10 years, we have been growing our economy based on a simple formula of ‘3+1=4’ – 3 per cent growth in our workforce plus 1 per cent improvement in our productivity to give us 4 per cent growth in our economy.... As I mentioned, 3 per cent is not sustainable because our local workforce not growing at 3 per cent. For the next 10 years, we’re working towards ‘1+2=3’ – 1 per cent growth in our workforce plus 2 per cent improvement in our productivity to give us the 3 per cent growth.' ” [ST, 01 Jul 2015: Minister Lim Swee Say: I have a formula for GDP growth for the next 10 years]

Only SMC elections can ensure that Singaporeans are effectively heard/ served (with NCMP/NMP method of ensuring minority representation)

Essay material referenced from: 'How the the PAP abused its mandate, created GRC system to terrorize Singapore.' as well; as 'NCMP scheme a great replacement for flawed GRC system of elections'.

The following deficiencies of the GRC system of Elections have caused PAP to lose touch with the electorate on the ground exploiting inherent authoritarian slant of the GRC system of elections to 'terrorise' Singapore, a reversion to full SMC system of elections (with minority rights provided for by NCMP/NMP electoral mechanism) would make Singaporeans a much happier, productive bunch.

How the the PAP abused its mandate, invented GRC system to terrorize Singapore.

The following deficiencies of the GRC system of Elections have cause PAP to lose touch with the electorate on the ground and leverage upon authoritarian means to rule Singapore:

1) Repeated gerrymandering of GRC constituency boundaries for maximum electoral advantage. This confuses the electorate if not the candidates themselves as no candidate can be expected to be fielded in the same constituency as they are incumbent MP. The relationship between MP and his constituents thus becomes shallow and superficial as it is hard to form stable relationships given such an unpredictable future. To the extent that constituency boundaries are subject to gerrymandering also disadvantages opposition political activities from taking root since such preparations can easily be thwarted by the PAP with gerrymandered boundaries towards PAP advantage.

2) Short-changing the electorate by-elections except in extreme circumstance: i.e. the vacation of seats of of ALL MPs in the GRC since to eliminate the 'inconvenience' of conducting by-elections (which the PAP often lose) the PAP has lost an essential genuine feedback mechanism about the popularity/ acceptance of their gahmen policies. (Ref: Parliamentary Elections Act (Ch218), S24(2A): "In respect of any group representation constituency, no writ shall be issued under subsection (1) for an election to fill any vacancy unless all the Members for that constituency have vacated their seats in Parliament.")
Given the situation of GE2015 having only 13 SMC seats (16GRCs) to make up an 89 seat parliament, it can be said that 76 seats (85.4%) are exempt from any by-election: a significant loss of voter feedback mechanism to the PAP.

NCMP scheme a great replacement for flawed GRC system of elections.

NCMP scheme a great replacement for flawed GRC system of elections

The GRC system was created to promote PAP hegemony and despotism; if anybody still insists that GRC system can actually be justified by its original premise of actually "entrenches the presence of minority MPs in Parliament": then one is a fool since the following 2 examples prove this to be UNTRUE:

Firstly, the law (Parliamentary Elections Act (Ch218), S24(2A)) obviously neglects ANY interest minority existence the moment GRC election results are announced as the statute does states: "In respect of any group representation constituency, no writ shall be issued under subsection (1) for an election to fill any vacancy unless all the Members for that constituency have vacated their seats in Parliament.": there is no need to replace a seat vacated by a minority candidate for any reason: suffice to say that just one candidate who need not be a minority need remain. A bait and switch trick by the PAP?

Secondly, despite needlessly emphasizing minority race differences (through 16 GRCs occupying 76 seats in a 89 seat parliament (=85.4% of all seats post GE2015)), the 16 designated GRCs are only able to guarantee a meagre presence of 16/89= 18.0% minority representation in parliament: far less than the population census result (2014) showing 25.7% of the Singapore as belonging to minority ethnic group. The significant shortfall of 25.7%-18.0%= 7.7% (or equal to 7.7%*89=6.87=~ deficit of 7 minority MPs) remains glaring proof of how deficient/ inadequate the GRC system is at defending minority ethnic interest in parliament.

Medishield-life premiums: PRs should pay AT LEAST 30% more. Why shouldn't they???!!!

Since gahmen defines medishield life as so integral and like God send (costs gahmen a lot in budget), then since PRs are at best only half citizens (or less since they can be PRs of elsewhere as well): then why shouldn't they pay an extra of 30% in annual medishield-life premiums???!!! In fact, at polyclinics, PRs have to pay almost TWICE the consultation fees as Singaporeans. Those previously NOT on medishield but now joining medishield life will also have to pay a 30% surcharge so why shouldn't PRs previously on medishield insurance scheme ALSO be charged just an extra 30%???!!!

How the GRC system of elections is a farce and promotes despotism and autocracy in Singapore.

Quote:

According to the Parliamentary Elections Act (CHAPTER 218), Writ of election 24.—(1) For the purposes of every general election of Members of Parliament, and for the purposes of the election of Members to supply vacancies caused by death, resignation or otherwise, the President shall issue writs under the public seal, addressed to the Returning Officer. (2) Every such writ shall be in Form 1 in the First Schedule ... (2A) In respect of any group representation constituency, no writ shall be issued under subsection (1) for an election to fill any vacancy unless all the Members for that constituency have vacated their seats in Parliament. [10/88] (3) Upon receipt of the writ... Source: http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/searc...ec=0;whole=yes

As mentioned: Parliamentary Elections Act (CHA218), S24(2A) "In respect of any group representation constituency, no writ shall be issued under subsection (1) for an election to fill any vacancy unless all the Members for that constituency have vacated their seats in Parliament."

Supersized GRC system of election has achieved its objective: Singapore can hail her first Emperor now.

Seems like GE2015 is about elevating Mr Lee Hsien Loong as Emperor of Singapore: why else is one man's photo posted all over Singapore, even in Potong Pasir? http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Regio...polls-posters/ 

For the sake of world peace, Greece should ASAP quit EuroZone.. So that it can CEASE to be a money laundering agent (subsidiary) of the European Central Bank.

"And for every euro in bailout funds, the Greek government receives less than 20 per cent. The rest goes to bankers and bondholders." ['Time for a broader view on what threatens Europe's future']

I always knew that the Eurozone was in a very sick situation, but I didn't know about the degree of $ laundering until I read that "... for every euro in bailout funds, the Greek government receives less than 20 per cent. The rest goes to bankers and bondholders.": which just proves that most of the eurozone GDP is from euro currency stimulus policies and not real productivity in output: e.g. business/ infrastructure investments which do not necessarily benefit society (spear headed by greedy bankers + political elites) and only making the eurozone area inequality divide wider which makes it a culture pot for terrorist ideology that is fed by wealth/ social inequality.

Pop. White Paper 2030: some foot/ bicycle path suggestions gahmen might want to adopt/consider (in line with achieving 6.9 million population by 2030)

Pedestrians/Cyclist on foot+ bicycle paths (widened to PCN network size):
- Slow movers must keep to extreme left of path and walk single file or be ready to do so moment u hear cyclist bell: reason: in order to achieve the GDP dreams of the PAP, foot/ bicycle paths must be used more efficiently and only with direction of travel consensus (keep to the left rule) can people on foot or wheels pass safely either by overtaking or pass on opposite sides. Pedestrians who do not follow rules, especially whilst having ear phones on will be warned and recalcitrants FINED. Dogs (except those assisting blind) must travel on the left side of owner so as to avoid being startled> attacking faster traffic on the right.
- No ear phones allowed to be worn by cyclist. Must always carry photo identification documents to show incase of accident (likewise motor vehicle drivers). Cyclist must notify pedestrians to keep left before overtaking with adequate berth (especially for those pushing babies in prams etc).

Pride and Arrogance of Singaporeans, a threat to the National Security of the Island State.

A slip of the tongue let the naked truth out, the 'Singapore Population White Paper 2030 (2013)' incontrovertibly denigrating the nursing profession: defining it as “low skilled” workers.[Health officials in strong defence of nurses (The Sunday Times, 10 February 2013, Pg 8)].

Blogs that do not lie also report the truth: "There’s a lot of verbal abuse that we’re suffer.We’re expected to be efficient despite being severely overworked (in Singapore)."[TOC: 30Jan2015: 'Government: Hard to get SG locals to become nurse'].

With such a prevalent culture of prejudice and abuse against frontline service staff, not least the nursing profession, Singapore seems now dependent upon transient (foreign) service staff to man its hospitals: 'Singapore faces nurse shortfall for years to come' [By Salma Khalik, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2013]

Singapore should STOP being 'accomplice' to wife/ child abuse by EP holders...

Singapore should STOP being 'accomplice' to wife/ child abuse by EP holders... ... by being much stricter in enforcing "court-ordered maintenance" payments and a cancellation of EP for default of >1-month etc.

According to the forum letter, SG gahmen does not seem to take any action even if their estranged wives (and kids who are held hostage in Singapore by virtue of the 'Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction') must be confined within Singapore borders: yet go hungry/ unfed....

How Exercise trumps Medishield-life as key to good life.

Changi General Hospital started housing patients waiting for beds in this large air-conditioned tent this week. The 800-bed CGH, along with Tan Tock Seng and Khoo Teck Puat hospitals, has resorted to sending patients to Alexandra, one of the few public hospitals here with spare beds. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said last night that he was aware of the problem - hence, the push to add 1,900 more acute hospital beds and 2,600 community hospital beds by 2020. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking...steps-20140108


- exercise will not drain your medisave unlike Medishield-life life and if everyone keeps fit, then waiting along corridors/ under tent for a proper hospital ward bed will never happen (except in case of disaster/ war).

Re: 1 Party system have made a mess out of Singapore?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomoremoney  If Singapore is in a mess, why are we one of the best cities in the world ah? Weird!

Do Singapore parliamentarians even think when they enact laws? : Reckless driving = only half as dangerous as negligent driving???!!!

"For his reckless driving, Pang could have been jailed up to 12 months, fined up to $3,000 or both. Lim's negligencecould have been punished by up to two years in jail, a fine or both."

:: Why is the jail term for reckless driving only HALF that of negligent driving if both can be perceived to be EQUALLY dangerous (fatal) on public roads. Is a reckless driver any safer than a negligent one???!!!
Singapore (esp PAP) parliamentarians are proclaimed to be the best in the world (receive world record salaries etc) and use the GRC system of elections to enter on the coat-tails of ministers with "assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election", so shouldn't Singapore's traffic rules make more sense and be effective at preventing accidents on our roads???!!! (PS: In the annexed case ironically, the negligent driver received a lesser jail term than the reckless one contrary to suggested punishment limits as suggested in the law: although I agree the judge approportioned punishment fairly).

Is the Law/ Justice in Singapore inaccessible to foreign/ local poor?

No point law society of Singapore have increased pro-bono legal services if recourse for injustice is foreign to the poor.
In the following case in which Md Raibul was jailed 7 months for attacking Mr Md Tofazzel in the head "with a 50cm metal rebar twice, resulting in acute haemorrhaging and bone fractures... He (Tofazzel) was hospitalised from March 25 to April 30 (~34days)".

The case of Md Raibul voluntarily causing grievous hurt reveals some systematic legal blindspots/ concerns that I feel begs response.
1) What is the legal procedure (contract)/ status of a private sale of a simple appliance (e.g. laptop) between private individuals?
2) What affordable legal recourse other than physical violence is available to claimants especially where the buyer defaults on payment or simply refuses to pay (?cheating?).

Like private insurers, Medishield-life should also give freebies and discounts to encourage citizens to keep fit....

"Those who pass all four health markers — Body Mass Index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and cholesterol — and are currently insured under NTUC Income’s IncomeShield or Enhanced IncomeShield will receive a S$50 CapitaMall shopping voucher each year that they take the test. Singaporeans who are not yet insured with NTUC Income will receive a S$50 discount off their first year premiums if they decide to sign up for Enhanced IncomeShield."[Rewards await healthy NTUC Income clients (TDY, 28May2015)]

For one thing, I believe that medishield-life premiums are probably going to increase exponentially no matter how much 'prefunding' premised deductions are made from individual CPF medisave accounts if there is no policy effort at promoting/ rewarding healthy lifestyle adoption amongst (compulsory) insurance policy holders.

Parliamentary Elections Act says that RCs under PA treating residents to attend PAP election meetings constitutes a corrupt practice?

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT: (CHAPTER 218)
CORRUPT PRACTICES:
..
Treating
58.—(1) A person shall be guilty of treating if he corruptly, by himself or by any other person, either before, during or after an election, directly or indirectly gives or provides, or pays wholly or in part the expense of giving, any meat, drink, refreshment, cigarette, entertainment or other provision or thing or any money or ticket or other means or device to enable the procuring of any such meat, drink, refreshment, cigarette, entertainment or other provision or thing, to or for any person —
(a) for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person or any other person to vote or refrain from voting;
(b) for the purpose of inducing that person to attend or remain at any election meeting;
(c) on account of any such person or any other person having voted or refrained from voting or being about to vote or refrain from voting at the election; or
(d) on account of any such person having attended an election meeting.

Greedy and Lazy Singaporeans cause healthcare to be unaffordable to themselves.

[pict source][backup pict]
Singaporeans consider healthcare in Singapore expensive because Singaporeans have not only neglected their health (Feb2012: 'Health alert: One in 3 will develop diabetes'; May 2015: 'A new dialysis patient every 5 hours in S'pore'), but are also unnecessarily KIASU and KIASI where hospitalisation is concerned with a vast majority (67.9%) of current medishield members (2.404M/3.593M members (FY2013) quandering $ on private integrated shield plans), out of aFY2013 resident population of 3.8448M. Even as a proportion of the total resident population (2013) of 3.8448M, the proportion of Singaporeans expecting to seek private (B1 and above class ward treatment in gahmen and private hospitals) is still 2.404/3.8448 = > 62.5% which shows that a vast majority of Singaporeans DO NOT ACCEPT SUBSIDISED PUBLIC C or B2 class ward treatments.

Minister of Health Gan admits that ill-health among citizens is a public policy planning mistake?

“If you look around, our investments in health promotion and diseases prevention, I think... it is actually significantly lower than the amount of money we spend on treating diseases,” he (Minister Gan Kim Yong) said.
: Due to a lack of "holistic approach towards health promotion, taking into account how can we empower consumers so that they make the right choice"
All this in the light of evidence that 'Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent 86% Of Heart Attacks'[Åkesson, A et al “Low-risk diet and lifestyle habits in the primary prevention of myocardial infarction in Men” J Am Coll Cardiol 2014; DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.06.1190.]

Poor Minister of Health Singapore, he is locking the stable door only after the horse has bolted...:a lack of "investments in health promotion and diseases prevention"...

Medishield-life: A Missed Opportunity to Shape Unhealthy/Kiasu Singaporeans up.

Oki, sorry to have now made a majority of Singaporean readers UPSET by reminding them of their Kiasuism flaw, but folks, isn't seeing many kiasu Singaporeans join a queue EVEN WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE QUEUE LEADS TO: quite a frequent sight? (Visit to casino/TOTO, Hello Kitty toys from McDonalds, Korean Boy band at Airport, Gold certificate/ Land-banking ponzi schemes, tution classes sufficient to make any kid go berserk?)[reference: Top 10 Things Singaporeans Will Willingly Queue For | scene.sg].

Amongst all this queueing for what is deemed 'ideal', isn't personal health an important asset too?: both for country and self (as in the context of medishield-life: Singapore's planned compulsory national health insurance plan whereby those who fail to pay premiums could well find themselves in jail (even after paying up hefty fines)): falling sick early could well raise premiums for all: so shouldn't medishield-life incentivise healthy lifestyles: not least disincentivise smoking/ unhealthy lifestyles/ the avoidance of health check-ups (as is the current situation) so as to keep overall premiums/ health care costs low.

Proof that Medishield-life is squandering public money, sponsoring people to spend/consume way beyond their means:

Firstly, if stay HDB and low income automatically = poor? Haha, Minister must be a joker/fool. What about those either holding foreign PR or even Singaporeans secretly holding foreign citizenship (illegal I know: they just didn't declare to anyone) and either (i) deceptively use poor relative's house as residence address, (ii) sold their pte property at property mkt peak and bought 2-rm HDB as single to use as chalet for the rare occasion of stopover to check out property mkt (can sell the 2-rm open mkt at profit after 5 yrs kept empty for a profit; they stay in luxurious mansion in their newfound country of residence (planning to return to SG for medical treatment to exploit medishield life A class IP benefits to the max if need be (max GST credits after fooling the stoopid SG gahmen into believing the deceit: whoopee!!!))).
PS: a single/ childless couple staying in a smaller unit has a better quality of life compared to some large multigenerational families staying in larger sized units but too small relative to occupant residing there. 

Proof that PAP/ MPs not as trustworthy as once thought.

Instead of earning citizen's/ international praise by promulgating upright, cohesive, progressive policies that benefit both the poor and enterprise alike, MPs like Lim Wee Kiak like to show off their pay slips to CEOs to obtain their attention/ 'respect', Lim Wee Kiak must as well point a gun at the CEO's head to hold ransom their respect. It seems that Lim Wee Kiak is speaking from the POV of an uncivilized cannibal: the more human teeth dangling from his necklace/ human scalps around his waist: the more fear ('respect') he obtains from CEOs... like a fascist/ authoritarian ruler. Me thinks that the only real effect that the said PAP MP has on enterprise is to chase away foreign investors because any fool will spot the barbarism and crassness of his mindset: that greed (his own wealth) is the greatest good of all.

Mass fish suffocation(deaths) @SG fish farm: Sinkie's(PAP's) fault, not God's.

Why the recent/ annual loss of ~ 500+ tons of fish is Singaporean's/ PAP's fault:
Re: Up to 600 tonnes of fish lost to algal bloom: AVA

1. Dissolved oxygen in water depends on rainfall (raindrops cause surface turbulence when they fall , rain is oxygenated as it fall from sky etc)which depends much on rainforest transpiration volume there is in the first place (number of plant leaves/ unit area, water retaining top-soil etc). Concrete/ glass buildings transpire ZERO water vapor unlike tropical rainforest where much transpiration is involved. Damming up all waterways (to save for precious little concrete jungle rainfall) also reduces sea water aeration since highly oxygenated freshwater streams are now detained in reservoirs.

[Parody]: MediShield Life: Must take medicine but won't? Jail, fine on the cards

The following is a parody of 'MediShield Life: Can pay but won't? Jail, fine on the cards',grey=delete, red = added new text.
Feedback welcomed, pls enjoy.

PS: The old Singapore nanny state is now becoming a police state, Singaporeans, please be prepared.

================================================== =============

MediShield Life: Can pay Must take medicine but won't? Jail, fine on the cards
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015
My Paper
By Salma Khalik

Apologetics against Jesus portrayal as mean spirited megalomaniac.

 Originally Posted by The Wyrd of Gawd 

Re thread (PF): Reading The Bible Properly Can Improve One's Reasoning Skills.
Sorry but your knowledge of the Bible is in the 1% range. Any atheist on this site will steamroll you without a burp.
Luke 4:23-29 (CEV) = "23 Jesus answered:You will certainly want to tell me this saying, “Doctor, first make yourself well.” You will tell me to do the same things here in my own hometown that you heard I did in Capernaum. 24 But you can be sure that no prophets are liked by the people of their own hometown.
25 Once during the time of Elijah there was no rain for three and a half years, and people everywhere were starving. There were many widows in Israel, 26 but Elijah was sent only to a widow in the town of Zarephath near the city of Sidon. 27 During the time of the prophet Elisha, many men in Israel had leprosy. But no one was healed, except Naaman who lived in Syria.

Only in the mutual virtues of charity and austerity, can solutions to the Greek debt crisis be found...

Quote:

Originally Posted by neddy Re (SBY): It is not just the debts, you Greek fools 1.Tsipras may be from a modest background, but pride and assertively will be needed to stand tall in Europe. To be humble is to be weak. 2. A bankrupt Greece is more a headache for creditors because Greece lives on self sufficiently . Unlike Singapore where basic needs like food is imported. Greece olive oil is also exported as "Italian" olive oil. 3. Debt is not a bad servant. In Japan, debt is acquired domestically. In countries that depend on foreign investments and debt, the money will disappear and return to source at a sign of trouble. Remember 1997 and 2008. 4. If you have been living in Greece before, you will find that Greeks are more refined and educated. But they are stubborn. In general, Greeks are in general more tolerant, generous and kind people who value human dignity. I have been to their community farms, etc. Their history has not always being kind to them. Just think about it. If one day, Singapore has no money to buy food from Malaysia, should it ... Be humble and beg for food from Malaysia. BE ASSERTIVE and tell Malaysia, I have nothing left but bombs to hit your business. I have nothing to lose. Give me some food on IOU and when we eat the food and have strength, we will work to pay you for the food later.

Greek debt crisis= a dilemma of moral proportions...:

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras [dials emergency EU helpline]: 'my people are suffering, we need the funds and resources to jump start out economy. Papa EU, please also forgive our €315b debt'...
Papa EU (fronted by Merkel/ Germany): ' sorry to see U in so much pain, sorry for not warning U earlier not to borrow so much Euros (we too were having such a good time pre2008 selling U useless stuff then, remember), U have since already received €240b bailout package, but now I want the rest of my $$$ (/'one pound of flesh') back!' [slams down phone]...

Austerity medicine a bitter pill - Opinion Eye On The World ST Editorial - The Straits Times

Instead of raising GST, foreigners should pay up their fair share of property taxes locally.

Instead of raising GST, foreigners should pay up their fair share of property taxes locally.

Singaporeans who serve NS defend the land and thus should be the ONLY ones enjoying discounted rate residential property taxes (for their living premises only). Foreigners who DO NOT serve NS should have to pay non-discounted, aka current 'Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Properties' rate taxes.

Better still, all residential properties should be made to pay similar tax rates across the board with Singaporeans and PR (especially those who have served NS) receiving property tax vouchers for the offset of a certain median amount payable in property tax (as recognition for defending the land and also ease of calculation of property tax):

Edz Ello is 50% right: LKY has given up, Sinkies will be extinct (by sloth (lack of exercise)/ greed).

[Pict link ] [sauce]

Yes, Edz is WRONG to curse Singapore with natural disasters. But about the losers (?poor health?) part, I cannot help but agree somewhat that in so far that the godfather of Singapore says:
"One Man's View of the World" he (Lee Kuan Yew) has said "I cannot solve the problem, and I have given up. I have given the job to another generation of leaders. Hopefully, they or their successors will eventually find a way out." Singapore Dissident: Singapore strongman Lee Kuan Yew admits defeat on falling birth rate

One third of Singapore students have no pocket $$$ for lunch.

Guess that is all worth it so long as the dignity of CEOs and Ministars is upheld... The seeds of Singapore's own umbrella movement are now being sown...

"About a third of our students go to school with no pocket money to buy lunch. ....the president of one of our universities told us recently that 60 per cent of his students need financial assistance.... - See more at: Three wishes for the New Year - Opinion By Invitation ST Editorial - The Straits Times "