Like it or not the PaP system is totally ebedden within our social and political system. We can only slowly stop the growth and slowly remove the vilest part slowly. If u guys want to go for a revolution, then it may destroy the entire system. I don't think anyone in his right mind wants that. No matter what anyone says, Singapore is still doing pretty well - this coming from one of the 40%. First thing get rid or put more stringent controls on ISA, 2nd thing get rid of PA, and 3rd...no more redrawing of electoral boundaries....
U have answered you own question and contradicted yourself. I totally agree that the the PAP is embeded in our system to such a degree that its ridiculous when u think of it. All the things u mention, get rid of the PA, redraw the electoral boundaries, etc. are all pipe dreams. As long as the PAP is in power, why would they want to do that?
The sooner that you and everyone else accept the fact that the PAP will never leave peacefully, than you will realise the only way to get rid of these assholes will be to take to the streets. The degree of blood that will be spilled is entirely dependent on how much the PAP will resist. If the Lee/Kwas and their cronies take their money and quietly flee, than maybe not too much bloodshed. If the citizen army says we will not shoot our friends, relatives and neighbours on the streets, than the bloodshed will be minimal. It all depends.
Study your history closely. Look at all the people/political parties that were once so entrenched in their countries that no one would ever thought they would be gone, but gone they were and not by peace ful means either.
1) ROC - I would consider this to be a close analogy to Singapore. here is a country dominated by a cult figure like Chiang kai Shek, and very entrenched political party, the KMT. You can insert Lee Con You and the PAP here. Who would have ever thought the KMT would be lose political office one day? But they did, and the change was a result of people taking to the streets against them. happened in 1990 during the White Lily student protests when 300,000 students took to the streets to demonstrate for reforms. Fortunately, although some violence happened, not too much blood was spilled. It could not have happened otherwise as the KMT had banned all opposition parties at that time. Gee you ask, why would a developed wealthy country like taiwan actually take to the streets to protest against their govt.? Don't these people have food on their tables? Roof over their heads?
2) South Korea- Another country that was an economic success and one of the 5 tigers of asia, along with Singapore. SOme of the world's largest and most prominent businesses reside here. If you wanted a good job, a university spot, u could get it quite easily in South Korea. Yet in 1987, millions of people took to the streets to demand an end to military rule and defacto martial law. Why? Was the authoritarian military govt. incompetent? Not really, many of their economic policies and the development of certain economic sectors were quite successful.
SO why did the people of these 2 economically successful countries take to the streets and demand change? This is the same reason and excuse the PAP gives all the time. Namely "Look, how successful we are, keep voting for us again. There is no reason for u to vote otherwise, and well if you do, we have all these laws and powers like the ISA to take care of you".
The people of ROC and South Korea were not exactly starving on the streets, and their water, trains, power, roads, etc. worked quite well. They had jobs even and a chance at a university education. They were just as well off, if not more than their counterparts in Singapore. Why than did they want a change?
1) The time had come for their old model political system of authoritarian rule, and democratic restrictions to move on. These people know that these old system were needed to bring their country to where it was. But for the country to go up to the next level you need to have less govt. domination, less restriction on ideas and freedom of expression. Many viewpoints must be allowed to be heard and seen, not just only the govt.'s viewpoint. This has proven to work, these 2 countries have actually become even stronger in the world economy, and in South Korea's case they are almost at the level of japan. Could the SOuth Koreans have gotten where they are today with the old military junta? Not likely.
2) People work harder and more creatively when they are not threatened, restricted or confined by dictatorial rules. This is just a human fact of life. People work hard every day, but at the end of it, they do not want to be careful about what they say out loud and to whom. If you can be just as successful within the context of a democracy, than that is much preferable to trying to be successful within a dictatorship.
3) The people of these 2 countries saw that when u have absolute power and have been entrenched for a long time, corruption always happens. And this was one of the main reasons that did the KMT and the Korean military juntas in.
After you look at these 2 examples, (and there are many more like Thailand, Indonesia, Phillipines etc. but they have the added ammunition of poverty and 3rd world status), you will realise that no matter how the ballot box turns out, the PAP will never go quietly. The sooner u understand this the easier it will be for everyone. The PAP has been running this country like their own private property for decades now, do not be afraid to physically take it back. Preferably by non violent means.
