Finally, collected my thoughts on the upcoming elections on 7 May… and I shall summarise them as simply as possible. I don’t think you guys want to read yet another TL;DR post, right?
1. PAP had done a really great job leading the country out of the haze in 1965 and beyond, I do appreciate growing up in such a safe and organised country where things worked well to a certain degree.
2. However, their strategy to herd us as meek sheep or as trained, conditioned dogs has been making me feel very uncomfortable about their policies and tactics. Please understand that we are not drones. We are living, breathing, thinking people and eventually we’d want to break out of the suppressive environment – perhaps for better or for worse.
3. This is not The Matrix. We are not living solely for the reason that we can “power” the nation. We deserve liberty, equality and perhaps the most lacking in the current regime – compassion. We deserve to be heard as people with valid opinions and concerns.
4. Save for the very few lucrative, well-paying industries, most of our jobs are lower-paying than in the other developed nations. When faced with inflation rates that grew faster than our stagnating salaries – we are practically quite powerless.
5. Your policies have benefited the economy perhaps, but not for the people. I wish for a more compassionate government who really sees the root of our concerns and one that would try to work on these issues.
6. If you really want higher birth rates, you ought to help young couples get affordable housing quickly. Not many feel comfortable enough to make babies while their parents are sitting outside watching Ai. You can continue to throw money at us, but do implement paternal leave for the fathers to share the burden of supporting a newborn. Do you know that mothers-to-be are being discriminated against by employers? Make childcare centres and baby-sitting services more affordable. Make milk powder and diapers more affordable.
Part of the reason why we are not having kids is the loss of freedom and financial comfort – just FYI.
7. I love Singapore and its quirks, but it irks me to know my country is paying the ministers such high salaries. This has been debated to death, but the short story is: I’d rather the money be channeled into more progressive causes.
8. Life in Singapore is a pressure cooker. One day the pressure will build up (it already is) and it’ll explode in your face. It won’t be nice. I feel this election is something different from the past. The sentiment on the ground is strong and it may seem like we are about to make a difference this time.
9. Stop your gutter politics and stick to the real issues please. We are not stupid. We can see through your tactics from 100km away.
10. I am not against the PAP nor am I an opposition sympathiser. I know there are good MPs in the incumbent but I’d like to give the other side an opportunity as well. However, I will keep my eyes peeled and keep my options open until I get to the voting station. For those of you who are contesting in the Hong Kah North SMC – bring it on. I want to see what you can give. I am voting for a good MP, regardless of his/her political affiliations.
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I have more thoughts… but I guess 10 points is pretty lengthy already.
Do let me know if you share any of my thoughts.