I believe Singaporeans are really one of THE most hardworking people in the world. (arguably) but then due to the policies which the government has opted for, they have turned people into working cows constantly draining any milk inside them with all the crazy taxes imposed and miscellaneous fees, electricity and water which are not subsidized as in other countries, crazy housing prices, non welfare state and overly lenient immigration policies.
IT IS PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THE NON WELFARE STATE CHARACTERISTIC, that makes Singapore so attractive to foreign talent and foreign wealth. The government is always seeking to broaden its tax base and increase tax revenue… I understand that surpluses are important to build reserves but not to the extent that it squeezes the middle income people so much so that they become over worked, jaded, do not have a positive outlook in life and can’t look forward to the retirement years. How much reserves do you want? For the low income group, the plight is even worse now, it’s as if they will not be able to come out of this social class unless they are somehow born a genius. Which is one every century like Albert Einstein.
Transport cost (going to work) already takes up so much money. (public transport ain’t that cheap you know) and FOOD prices are soaring. The cost of living is so high that people don’t even want to have babies. And then this is what you justify your immigration policies by. By blaming Singaporeans for not giving birth enough. And you plead your case by saying that you give birth benefits. $10000? Seriously, after seeing a pediatrician a few times, it is enough to completely use it up. And the doctors can’t be to blame completely as well, their tuition fees like the rest of the courses are so high that they need to charge this amount to pay their bills.
WHY DO UNIVERSITIES CHARGE SO MUCH? And what do they do with the money, they give it away in scholarships which the locals are not able to get. MONEY IS FLOWING OUT. SINGAPOREANS HARD EARNED CASH. You’re lucky Singaporeans are still willing to work at 60. Just look at Greece, the people aren’t willing to work anymore, and thus they are in deep shit. So you’re lucky Singaporeans are cooperating with you.
Instead of spending so much in defense which is like almost useless if any major superpower wants to take control. They do not fear us because of our army. Instead, it’s because the only way they can stead to gain from us, is if we are still around and coopertate with them, since Singapore only has human resource to offer, no oil no gold, etc etc. hence, there is no point for them to attack us.
When will the money be used to help the poor? I’m not talking about all the poor, only those that are willing to work hard. And when I mean help, it doesn’t mean a lump sum of 2000 dollars in the FAS we have in school, but rather to sponsor them to study as long as they are hardworking enough. CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN PLACES GIVEN AND GIVE MORE TO LOCALS IF YOUR EXCUSE IS THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PLACES. There are so many things you can do yet you choose to ignore this part and focus on the rights of foreigners and not the rights of your own people.
Instead of focusing on how to attract even more foreign talent with IRs and GARDENS BY THE BAY, RWS etc, as well as focusing on the rights off maids etc, why not focus on the rights of your own people first, the freedom of expression for instance. I’m not saying you aren’t focusing at all on your people, but rather focus MORE! So much MORE can be done. This is not demanding, this is basic necessities.
Foreigners love that Singapore has no welfare system so that they know their tax is spent on themselves and not the lower classes of society. HOW FLAWED IS THIS CONCEPT? If you really want the poor to be motivated to work hard and study hard, they need to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now the light is so small that they don’t even bother. SO MANY LOW INCOME STUDENTS CHASING AFTER SO FEW SPOTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. how can that be motivating. They know that even if they work super hard, the fact is many of them will still not be able to get the scholarships. PROVIDE MORE FOR LOCALS. also, why aren’t ASEAN scholarships for locals to study at local universities? A bit funny don’t you think considering your own people are from ASEAN as well? Think about it
To add on, Singaporeans and PRs have to serve army and use 2 years of their life which they could be using to build a career and save up for their golden years. Foreigners come take the scholarships, study and leave WITHOUT NS. and although, I know what I mentioned above is a lot of things that need to be handled, but you are one of the highest paid ministers of the WORLD, if you can take that kind of salary home, you better be able to handle this kind of shit and be able to bear the responsibility of solving ALL the problems associated with it.
IN SHORT, YOU SIGNED UP FOR THIS DEAL, YOU BETTER BE ABLE TO TAKE EVERYTHING IN THE DEAL, NOT JUST THE PERKS BUT ALL THE NECESSARY HARDWORK AND HOURS OF WORK AS WELL. Even if that means working through the night. That’s what a million dollars is worth. Am I right?
ANON
*The above was first posted as a comment on The Temasek Times.
THE TEMASEK TIMES 
Why Singaporeans are one of the most hardworking people in the world
Posted by temasektimes on July 4, 2012
IT IS PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THE NON WELFARE STATE CHARACTERISTIC, that makes Singapore so attractive to foreign talent and foreign wealth. The government is always seeking to broaden its tax base and increase tax revenue… I understand that surpluses are important to build reserves but not to the extent that it squeezes the middle income people so much so that they become over worked, jaded, do not have a positive outlook in life and can’t look forward to the retirement years. How much reserves do you want? For the low income group, the plight is even worse now, it’s as if they will not be able to come out of this social class unless they are somehow born a genius. Which is one every century like Albert Einstein.
Transport cost (going to work) already takes up so much money. (public transport ain’t that cheap you know) and FOOD prices are soaring. The cost of living is so high that people don’t even want to have babies. And then this is what you justify your immigration policies by. By blaming Singaporeans for not giving birth enough. And you plead your case by saying that you give birth benefits. $10000? Seriously, after seeing a pediatrician a few times, it is enough to completely use it up. And the doctors can’t be to blame completely as well, their tuition fees like the rest of the courses are so high that they need to charge this amount to pay their bills.
WHY DO UNIVERSITIES CHARGE SO MUCH? And what do they do with the money, they give it away in scholarships which the locals are not able to get. MONEY IS FLOWING OUT. SINGAPOREANS HARD EARNED CASH. You’re lucky Singaporeans are still willing to work at 60. Just look at Greece, the people aren’t willing to work anymore, and thus they are in deep shit. So you’re lucky Singaporeans are cooperating with you.
Instead of spending so much in defense which is like almost useless if any major superpower wants to take control. They do not fear us because of our army. Instead, it’s because the only way they can stead to gain from us, is if we are still around and coopertate with them, since Singapore only has human resource to offer, no oil no gold, etc etc. hence, there is no point for them to attack us.
When will the money be used to help the poor? I’m not talking about all the poor, only those that are willing to work hard. And when I mean help, it doesn’t mean a lump sum of 2000 dollars in the FAS we have in school, but rather to sponsor them to study as long as they are hardworking enough. CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN PLACES GIVEN AND GIVE MORE TO LOCALS IF YOUR EXCUSE IS THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PLACES. There are so many things you can do yet you choose to ignore this part and focus on the rights of foreigners and not the rights of your own people.
Instead of focusing on how to attract even more foreign talent with IRs and GARDENS BY THE BAY, RWS etc, as well as focusing on the rights off maids etc, why not focus on the rights of your own people first, the freedom of expression for instance. I’m not saying you aren’t focusing at all on your people, but rather focus MORE! So much MORE can be done. This is not demanding, this is basic necessities.
Foreigners love that Singapore has no welfare system so that they know their tax is spent on themselves and not the lower classes of society. HOW FLAWED IS THIS CONCEPT? If you really want the poor to be motivated to work hard and study hard, they need to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now the light is so small that they don’t even bother. SO MANY LOW INCOME STUDENTS CHASING AFTER SO FEW SPOTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. how can that be motivating. They know that even if they work super hard, the fact is many of them will still not be able to get the scholarships. PROVIDE MORE FOR LOCALS. also, why aren’t ASEAN scholarships for locals to study at local universities? A bit funny don’t you think considering your own people are from ASEAN as well? Think about it
To add on, Singaporeans and PRs have to serve army and use 2 years of their life which they could be using to build a career and save up for their golden years. Foreigners come take the scholarships, study and leave WITHOUT NS. and although, I know what I mentioned above is a lot of things that need to be handled, but you are one of the highest paid ministers of the WORLD, if you can take that kind of salary home, you better be able to handle this kind of shit and be able to bear the responsibility of solving ALL the problems associated with it.
IN SHORT, YOU SIGNED UP FOR THIS DEAL, YOU BETTER BE ABLE TO TAKE EVERYTHING IN THE DEAL, NOT JUST THE PERKS BUT ALL THE NECESSARY HARDWORK AND HOURS OF WORK AS WELL. Even if that means working through the night. That’s what a million dollars is worth. Am I right?
ANON
*The above was first posted as a comment on The Temasek Times.
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