1. About policies.
People are quick to point out that the opposition are able to point out problems, and flaws, but do little in the way of offering solutions. They have proposals which are deemed as "improbable", "unrealistic", and are "pandering". On the PAP's side, we have schemes, figures, statistics, and things like that which make they're arguments seem more convincing. Unlike the opposition's "ideas", what they bring to the table are "pragmatic solutions".
The thing about the PAP is that they probably has whole ministries working on their side to come up with policies. They have a host of workers researching into this and that area of interests.
The opposition is not privy to this resource. It wouldn't be fair to expect something completely fool-proof from them. What we should expect from them is ideas which they will then bring forward to the parliament.
2. About numbers.
Numbers are really easy to play with. When the PAP manifesto stated that the Grow & Share Package more than offset the higher costs of living for most, they probably calculated the LOWEST possible increase in cost of living. When Mah Bow Tan (I'm pretty sure I'm spelling his name wrongly) stated that couples can get flats for as little as $36 per month, he did not mention the fact that the couple will be using up ALL of their CPF contributions for 30 years. What does that leave them for retirement?
Numbers are one thing. Reality is another.
3. About the opposition's attacks on the PAP
I think some of them are wholly unjustified. To say that they are uncaring, that they are motivated only by themselves is unfair. I believe that they do want to serve the nation. Sure, some of them might have a degree of self-interest, but at the end of the day, everybody wants Singapore to succeed.
I hope that in the coming days, the different parties can just put mud-slinging aside. I'd rather not see this Elections as an emotional contest. What we need is a rational one. It's not a matter of who loves Singapore more. It's about who can serve us better.
4. About the PAP Manifesto
Some of the things in there are pure wayang. Schools don't need fancy "indoor sports halls" and "performance arts and dance studios". Our neighbourhoods don't need fancy playgrounds, and parks. I think what we have is enough. There are bigger issues that need to be solved. Superficial change is not what we need at the moment.
Why upgrade the estates when the bigger problem lies in the fact that people can't get a home? Why bother putting in more facilities in schools when the bigger problem lies in the education system?
5. About campaigning
It seems like PAP has a lot more money to spend on campaigning. While other parties have to beg for donations, and sell merchandise, the PAP freely distributes brochures/newsletters and ferries people from GRCs to their rallies. I just hope that that's not our money that's being spent and that they have their own funds.
6. About the Future
I must admit that the PAP has done a good job in the past. It's no easy feat to bring about such sweeping economic progress to a nothing-much island state. No, I do not want all of the opposition parties to win. What I want is for enough of them to win such that they will represent a strong enough voice in the parliament to offer an alternative to the PAP.
You know what they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
A strong opposition in the parliament will ensure that the PAP does not abuse their authority, and is held accountable for their mistakes. We have some very capable people in the PAP at the moment. It would be a great loss if we were to lose them.
Ahh, I'll leave it here. I'm tired, and I'm gonna sleep.
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