The recent government budget announcements was one in which almost the whole population waited for with bated breath. And it didn't disappoint. A comprehensive helping hand to ensure that all Singaporeans progress together while redistributing the wealth and positive growth Singapore has managed over the last year. Total worth $3.6 billion. Now that's a lot of money.
Yeah, I know, it's election time and this is just another ploy by the ruling PAP to garner more votes and to consolidate it's position. But think about it. It is because of the current government that we have that much money to disburse in the first place. It's policies, while not popular, have been the cornerstone of Singapore's success since independence. Plus, the stability of continous governing by the PAP has afforded Singapore it's stable atmosphere all these years. Not many countries can boast of such a stable environment. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a PAP person, far from it.
In fact, I am one of the discerning citizens who think that despite the high approval ratings the government currently enjoys, it is downright underhanded to sue the opposition when they make a remark slightly off the mark. For the most part the government has been above board with it's business dealings via Temasek Holdings and also through the many charitable acts it has done for the countries of the region and beyond. However, I find it disconcerting to see that many of the opposition are either bankrupt or behind bars.
About the package the government is disbursing, I am surprised that despite the average household getting help amount to thousands, probably close to $2-3k each, there are still some voicing out that that is still not enough. This is on top of the NSS in 2001 and ERS in 2003. I mean, the people who are grumbling for more are not exactly destitute. They are not poor. They just want more hand outs. Singapore has never been a welfare state and probably never will be. I do shudder at the thought that if we were, there would be snaking queues, ala Hello Kitty, waiting for handouts every week.
Put it this way, many of those so-called foreign talents would give a limb to be a citizen, and to be a part of such a vibrant and progressive society like ours. They could only throw envious glances our way when it comes to handouts such as this Progress Package, wondering if they would ever be part of it. As a society based on meritocracy, you get what you work for. The harder you work, the better the payout and the higher you climb that ladder.
Just don't grumble that the handout is not enough when you have a roof with air-conditioning over your head and a car for your daily travels.
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