Presidential Elections and other ramblings...

I have pretty much given up on posting.
It's not like anyone's listening.
BUT, for me, it's more of a form of therapy. I just ramble on online and hopefully, someone, someday, will see the light.

Singapore's 46th birthday just passed. Unfortunately, unlike when I was a kid, this year (and the previous few years too), just seemed more like a Sunday. OR, a public holiday with nothing to celebrate. I no longer feel the belonging. I no longer feel any pride. It feels like the leaders of this country care more about economic growth and themselves rather than the citizens. It feels like the leaders of this country care more about the foreigners who can provide economic growth, than the citizens who got us to where we are today. It's heartbreaking.

Singapore is now very torn. There is a huge online community that has sprouted up that is constantly rocking the boat (myself included), because, that's the best we can do without getting arrested under the ISA. But, this community will only serve to divide the country. In the most recent days, it almost seems like its the us (Singaporeans) against them (foreigners) war.

There was that PRC Wang guy who created an uproar.
Then came the curry incident.
Then came the National Heart Centre Pinay employee's comment incident, which came about as a result of the Penny Low National Day Parade incident.

Heartbreaking... absolutely heartbreaking... seeing what how the policies of our leaders have started to tear the country apart...

There may possibly be more but I seldom read the local news these days. Like I said, I don't feel a sense of belonging anymore and I rather read international news and sports rather than follow anything local.

With that said, let's me give my two cents worth on the Presidential Elections.
Let me get to the root of the problem. It's not the $4m we pay the President...

WHY DO WE EVEN NEED A PRESIDENT?????

Years and years ago, 46 years to be exact, maybe, to follow the commonwealth system, which had a King and Queen, we instituted the role of the President. I don't even know the real reason, I am just speculating. But that was just a figure head position. We could have left it as a figure head position. Who's bright idea was to make it become an elected position?
Now that it has become an elected position, it's just like the other elections we have, the one they call the General Elections, it's just another joke. The only thing democratic about any of our elections is that it is one-man-one-vote. Otherwise, all our elections are so orchestrated, we make a mockery of elections.
The President of Singapore is a ceremonial position. The President does nothing in the form of policy making. The President has some veto powers but I believe they can be counted on one hand. The President is NOT worth $4m per year!! We are a tiny country with just too many leaders who make themselves rich off of taxpayers money, the Presidential position included. If the President has less power and control than the Prime Minister, why on earth is the President being paid more than the Prime Minister? This makes no sense at all. We find ourselves complaining about the pay of the President, the powers of the President, the selection of the candidates for President... WHY? Why don't we just get rid of the most redundant position in the country (next to the Minister without Portfolio, or whatever the hell name they call it these days)?? Without this position, which is the root of the entire problem, we will not be complaining about his salary, his power, his selection, etc, etc, etc. Stop wasting the taxpayers monies.
But like I said, no one's listening... so, there will be a Elected President... and here's my take on the candidates.


First off, I have either one question or request for clarification for each of them:

T Tan - Please explain in exact detail the reasoning why your son was treated differently than any other male performing national service. His lengthy deferment. His not so NS vocation. In exact detail please.

Tan CB - Why do you feel the need to stand up now for the citizens of Singapore and not while you were running as a PAP candidate in these and past elections? Give me, preferably more than one, example where you have stood up against the party whip.

Tan KL - Please explain what NTUC really is? Is it really a union? Or is it just a conglomerate business?

Tan SJ - Please explain how contributing as a President is going to be different than contributing as a elected Member of Parliament? As stated earlier, the President pretty much has no policy making powers, how is that going to help in contributing to the citizens of Singapore?

I would beg anyone who is going to host any presidential debate (and I doubt there would really be one) to ask these questions of the candidates. I know my decision is far from made. However, that being said, this is how I stand right now.



T Tan - Unless something profound comes up about the explanation of his sons NS saga, he is last on my list. He is just another PAP dog who is going to make himself even richer than he already is. He has run two of the biggest scams this country has to offer... GIC (where our money goes and never seems to come back) and SPH (the monopolistic media whore of this country).
FOURTH CHOICE.

Tan CB - I'm not sure he is not a plant. Some say he is outspoken and dares to speak up. But, at the end of the day, he is but still a ex-PAP MP. I don't trust them all.
THIRD CHOICE.

Tan KL - I know he is no longer CEO of NTUC Income. But, the link with that organization just leaves a foul taste in my mouth. NTUC is also another big scam. A union that sells grocery, insurance, pharmaceuticals, runs a taxicab company, runs playschools with the wrong spelling... pretty much does anything and everything to kill the livelihood of the small mom and pop stores just doesn't sit well with me. BUT, the fact that he said he is going to donate half his Presidential salary actually puts him neck and neck with...

Tan SJ - I heard him speak during the GE. I witnessed the exchange he had with his former boss (the last holder of another redundant position, the senior minister position). He is truly from the opposition and I am pretty much convinced he is not someone the PAP wants as the President. BUT, what puts him neck and neck with Tan KL is that, I am afraid he is not going to be constructive, instead, divisive. I am not convinced he does not have revenge on his mind and as much as I do not approve of the government we have, it's completely wrong to have someone trying to divide us with every step the government takes.

All said, I still do not think that the president's position is necessary and have half a mind to do nothing constructive come Aug 27.