Monday, June 30, 2008
i have never been deeply interested in singapore politics because my mediocre language and intellectual abilities make formulating sound arguments against certain policies difficult, but with inflation rates at 26-year high (and even higher ERP rates, petrol charges for cab etc.), a string of screw ups by MHA and to top it off, MM's fiery rhetoric against voting for the opposition, I think it's about time I start doing some work and start understanding what it really means to be living here in s'pore.
Staying home for the next week after wisdom tooth surgery will provide good time to read up on these issues. the net is well fed with articles or arguments written by educated and articulate countrymen in and out of singapore, those still within the country apparently biting the bullet to stay, and those already gone having left for greener pastures elsewhere.
i don't foresee myself having to contend with the question, 'to leave or to stay' in the near future, because what comes may my parents will still be in singapore and this is still a good place to live in, if you're more of a hermit (cares more about your own life than sound/unsound policies made by the policy makers). but I never had to bring up this question at all, so to me this is somewhat a growing sense of weariness towards the 'system', as affectionately termed by the less articulate singaporeans.
for the common man, poorly timed increases in price will only equate to an understanding that we're making the government coffers richer. a double security lapse in the span of 2 weeks, resulting in the head of ministry throwing flaks at the 'individuals responsible' rather than throwing flaks at himself for the lapses, only makes us draw closer resemblance of our country to a totalitarian state or a
'lee-gime'. surely, this isn't time for comments like ' giving the 'vociferous opposition' a chance - out of 'light-heartedness, fickleness or sheer madness'', because to us, the common men, this means that the incumbent is wavering, showing signs of fear. we ain't looking any further than that.
while i do not have any better solutions in mind to all these problems, i only wish to drive home a point, that people are starting to get weary of the political status quo in our country. i am one and for someone who never really found interest in politics, i think this is a very telling sign of the weariness.
disturbed you at 1:38 AM