Stay alert My Taxi Drivers!

I told my taxi driver "Hello Uncle, I want to go to Hong Lim Park today." and the uncle responded "Speaker's Corner is it?" and I said "Yes." and we're on our way.

And Uncle asked me what's happening at Speaker's Corner and I told him that someone organized a protest against our government for wanting a population of 6.9m!  to which Uncle responded, "It's about time that we speak up and tell the government what we want in Singapore!"  And my mind raced to the Singapore Conversation -- and we've been telling the government what we want.



Source : www.facebook.com/FiveStarsandAMoon



And I thought about the white paper and realised that what we wanted in the Singapore conversation will be executed as part of the white paper.  So I asked uncle what are the things that Singaporeans should tell the government?  And he gave me these points:

1. We want JOBS!  The foreigners are taking away our jobs!
2. We want AFFORDABLE public transport and reliable MRT!
3. We want FREE healthcare, we are getting old!

But uncle -- our unemployment rate in December is 1.8%.  It is already a very tight labour market and the white paper details REDUCING reliance on FTs/FWs, not increasing.

But uncle -- if MRT really pull up its socks, you will have less taxi passengers.  But uncle is right, we should have affordable and reliable public transport system.

But uncle -- our healthcare system can be free IF we pay more tax.  If it's free Healthcare will become a buffet -- consume all you can.  And this will lead us to a vicious cycle of tax more for free healthcare.  I wish uncle can read this article on Healthcare in Singapore vs the UK.


Ah wells!  as I arrived I was very tempted to invite uncle to join me at Speaker's Corner.  Then again, maybe not.


The atmosphere at Speaker's Corner was like a carnival, like a gathering.  People were dressed up nicely, and yes!  it is crowded.  Feels like all 6.9m people are at the park.

I love his gear.  Looks expensive.

Photo credit : Through the Lens





Pretty Backdrop.  Like a child's party.





 

 





They don't look happy.  =(   and that looks like Mr. Tan Jee Say.

 



I wonder if children should be used in Political Activities.

Photo Credit : The Alternative View



I think this protest is misguided.  Was a little xenophobic at times.

Photo credit : The Real Singapore

My observation is that this is more politically motivated, and listening to the rousing speeches, I was not comfortable with how they have put Singaporeans down.  Are we not strong enough to face global competition? 

The organizers know that we are touchy about national identity, concerned with having a better quality of life and took the opportunity discredit the white paper to score political points for themselves. 

It's very well organized that groups of people (apparently supporters of different political organizations) would respond to their speaker in the same way.  And when the next speaker comes up, another group of supporters will respond.

The different political parties were eager to lend weight to the organizer as the international and main stream media would be there.  And why not?  When was the last time so many Singaporeans showed up?  Nevermind that this might tarnish our country's reputation.

The danger in this is that as opposing parties oppose for the sake of scoring political points for themselves.  And if Singaporeans are not discerning, our nation will really go into this decline ignoring the signs and warnings along the way, distracted by the blinking lights of words.

The White Paper alerts us on the crises we face ahead:

an ageing and declining population
                                            as well as shrinking workforce

The white paper details how our government is preparing to face these crises instead of leaving it to a new and less experienced government.  I think our Prime Minister has guts to tell us this now, and not sweep it under the carpet. 

Stay alert my taxi drivers,
and look ahead, look back and look around 
to avoid dangers.