…….. based on Justice and Equality?

The Singapore National Pledge

We, the citizens of Singapore,

pledge ourselves as one united people,

regardless of race, language or religion,

to build a democratic society

based on justice and equality

so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and

progress for our nation.

I think our ministers, who are in the stratosphere in terms of the salary they are getting, should remember to say this pledge every morning before they set out to make policies.

“based on justice and equality?

Seriously. My ARSE.

And how do I justify my words? The 40 % voted against our government in our last election would support what I say..

The blogosphere is choke full of the issues Singaporeans are facing and the injustice dealt upon them, especially the middle-lower income folks. There are issues with immigration and our foreign blue-collar workers and associated appalling human right abuses with the Ministry of Manpower being either incompetent or derelict in their duties. We favour expatriates over our own in terms of employment. Our government gives them perks and licks their arses. The inexcusable negligence over the maintenance of our metro ( SMRT) system leading to serious disruption to transport services (repeatedly). The unbelievably inefficient public transport ( buses and taxis) — people who can’t afford cars suffer in their commute to and from their insufferably long hours of work ( Singaporeans work the longest hours in the world!)

What’s worse is the government’s and civil servants’ ( I lump them into one, which I am not supposed to usually, but in this case, they are in bed with each other) self-righteous, high-handed, arrogant and condescending attitude. They have lost touch. They have no empathy nor compassion. Not all of the ministers, but many of them. And they are compelled to toe the party line. Not serve its people. It is a tough job for sure, but if you are getting paid tens of thousands per month, you better cut the mustard.

We have one of the world’s largest income gap too (some say we are no.1) . But we are no.1 or no.2 in terms of GDP and wealth. Go figure if our progress and prosperity is based on justice and equality. And happiness … for whom? Not the average heart landers. Not when your pride and joy, the Gardens by the Bay requires a $20 entry fee. And your F1 is only reserved for the hoighty-toighty to mingle and watch big fancy cars burning up airplane grade fuel, while the ‘commoners’ suffer the inconveniences of the severe noise and road closures. Sure, we are better off than third world countries materially, but this come at severe social costs.

Check out yawningbread or mr. brown. And many other blogs. You will find them. I am not eloquent or patient or cool enough to write about them

May the powers there be come to their senses before I lose whatever respect and gratitude I have for their past effort in bringing Singapore to where it is today.