turn of the tides... one year on

[zhihau]

with the formation of GRCs in the late 80s, it seemed as though the opposition had no chance of clearing the hurdle. times have indeed changed, starting with the fall of Aljunied GRC, we could be seeing a trend of more GRCs turning into opposition wards. the tides have changed!

 

[Char_Azn]

Nothing have changed. Some of the neutral voters were voting opposition mainly due to some policies they are unhappy with not because the opposition got better. If PAP managed to fix their mistakes, it's back to square one

 

[dredd]

Nothing have changed. Some of the neutral voters were voting opposition mainly due to some policies they are unhappy with not because the opposition got better. If PAP managed to fix their mistakes, it's back to square one

Of course things have changed. People are beginning to see quality in alternative parties, the Internet is changing perceptions, many are waking up to new ideas and are not easily fooled or intimidated... except for pea-brained, spineless people like you who are still living in the shadow of the ruling party.

 

[Char_Azn]

Of course things have changed. People are beginning to see quality in alternative parties, the Internet is changing perceptions, many are waking up to new ideas and are not easily fooled or intimidated... except for pea-brained, spineless people like you who are still living in the shadow of the ruling party.

Like the quality of YSL? The quality of copycat Chen and Pritam? Or No Comment Low?

Heck when TPL showed more quality then them, that's just sad

When one Tin Pei Ling found out that there were poor, elderly S’poreans in her ward who were having problems paying their SingHealth medical bills, did she stomp her foot, and demand that the government give more subsidies?

No. She somehow raised a $150,000 fund to help “squeezed” elderly constituents with their SingHealth medical bills.

http://atans1.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/what-tin-pei-ling-could-teach-dr-lam/#comments

 

[Kinana]

PAP MP are better than opposition MPs any time. The loss of Aljunied was a protest vote against the shortage of housing and the yearning for an alternative voice in the parliament. I don't think other constituencies or GRCs will go along because the alternative voice is already there. There is no need for more unless WP can show themselves to be effective in parliament which unfortunately they are not.
I too like some noise in parliament but not from my GRC please.

 

[zeddy]

Nothing have changed. Some of the neutral voters were voting opposition mainly due to some policies they are unhappy with not because the opposition got better. If PAP managed to fix their mistakes, it's back to square one

Bro Char, what makes you think that the PAP will managed to fix their mistakes? One year on and its getting worse for them.. Public transport woes, the long standing problem of the influx of foreigners, and the rising living cost.. These are the issues that'll cost the PAP more votes come 2016.. I sense that there'll be more disgruntled Sporeans feeling more angry with the PAP in 4 years time.. Just my humble view..

 

[dredd]

Like the quality of YSL? The quality of copycat Chen and Pritam? Or No Comment Low?

Heck when TPL showed more quality then them, that's just sad


http://atans1.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/what-tin-pei-ling-could-teach-dr-lam/#comments

Man... are you ignorant. There is no question about the quality of YSL, Chen, Pritam... Wat is sad is there are small-brained people like you who choose to believe wide eyed everything that's written in a state-controlled media and who choose to keep inept rulers in power by living in their shadows, their threats, their chicanery.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

It is sad to see people turning a blind eye towards the flaws, very obvious flaws of WP MPs.

These have nothing to do with MSM but WP MPs basically self imploded themselves. Nobody can anyhow accuse them of plagiarism if they really didn't do it and they did it openly, on parliamentary sitting and public facebook. As for YSL, if you can't see the flaws, it is just like missing the elephant right in front of you.

We can tolerate flaws as long as they are being recognized and efforts have been made to correct them. We are after all, just humans who are imperfect in some ways or another. However, it would become intolerable if one refused to acknowledge such flaws even when these were pointed out without any prejudice or uncertainty.

Goh Meng Seng

Man... are you ignorant. There is no question about the quality of YSL, Chen, Pritam... Wat is sad is there are small-brained people like you who choose to believe wide eyed everything that's written in a state-controlled media and who choose to keep inept rulers in power by living in their shadows, their threats, their chicanery.

 

[dredd]

It is sad to see people turning a blind eye towards the flaws, very obvious flaws of WP MPs.

These have nothing to do with MSM but WP MPs basically self imploded themselves. Nobody can anyhow accuse them of plagiarism if they really didn't do it and they did it openly, on parliamentary sitting and public facebook. As for YSL, if you can't see the flaws, it is just like missing the elephant right in front of you.

We can tolerate flaws as long as they are being recognized and efforts have been made to correct them. We are after all, just humans who are imperfect in some ways or another. However, it would become intolerable if one refused to acknowledge such flaws even when these were pointed out without any prejudice or uncertainty.

Goh Meng Seng

GMS, I have only this to say to you: Those who can, do. Those who cannot, criticize. You are right - Flaws are inherent in everyone. You want me to point out yours?

So who died and made you political analyst? You are nothing but a two-bit politician wannabe with views that are about as half-baked as your screwed up political ambitions. Who gives a flying fark whether you are intolerable to anything? You have never been anywhere near parliament and you want to "advise" those who have been there, done that? That's a little like teaching your granny how to fark!

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Well, what can I say?

GMS, I have only this to say to you: Those who can, do. Those who cannot, criticize. You are right - Flaws are inherent in everyone. You want me to point out yours?

So who died and made you political analyst? You are nothing but a two-bit politician wannabe with views that are about as half-baked as your screwed up political ambitions. Who gives a flying fark whether you are intolerable to anything? You have never been anywhere near parliament and you want to "advise" those who have been there, done that? That's a little like teaching your granny how to fark!

 

[deepblue0911]

It is sad to see people turning a blind eye towards the flaws, very obvious flaws of WP MPs.

These have nothing to do with MSM but WP MPs basically self imploded themselves. Nobody can anyhow accuse them of plagiarism if they really didn't do it and they did it openly, on parliamentary sitting and public facebook. As for YSL, if you can't see the flaws, it is just like missing the elephant right in front of you.

We can tolerate flaws as long as they are being recognized and efforts have been made to correct them. We are after all, just humans who are imperfect in some ways or another. However, it would become intolerable if one refused to acknowledge such flaws even when these were pointed out without any prejudice or uncertainty.

Goh Meng Seng

Why did you keep saying people turn a blind eye to the flaws of WP MPs, YSL, etc? Just because in this forum and other social media, you get whacked non-stop when you flogged the deadhorse (YSL saga in your own words)?

Nobody (few at worst) disagree that the YSL incident is bad for himself and WP. But for intelligent people like us, we get the point, we get it, and we absolutely hate imbecile like you who think we don't and keep repeating, going on and on and on like a broken record. It's annoying. Your actions are small-minded and 钻牛角尖.

Your problem is you can't get WP to respond to you. They're indifferent to your nonsense and that must really frustrate you. That's why you can't stop. But guess what, the more you do that, the more they'll ignore you.

Wake up, Mr. Goh!

 

[freedalas]

We must also not ignore the influence of the massive show of discontent by the ordinary people across the world against incumbent ruling parties on S'poreans. From the Arab states to Europe, from Malaysia to Russia , from the Occupy Wall Street in USA to Hong Kong etc, people are now standing up against gross injustice and abuses by those in power and the wealthy. Even shareholders are protesting against obscene compensation packages for corporate head honchos in full force. The mood is very prevalent now and will only gets stronger. Let's hope all these will make our S'poreans to grow bigger balls to register their unhappiness throught the ballot box at the next GE (and the by-election if there is one ) with PAP's abdication of their social responsibilities in health, housing and transport, policies that only enrich their GLCs and the wealthy, and discriminating its very own citizens in favor of foreigners.

 

[elephanto]

Why did you keep saying people turn a blind eye to the flaws of WP MPs, YSL, etc? Just because in this forum and other social media, you get whacked non-stop when you flogged the deadhorse (YSL saga in your own words)?

Nobody (few at worst) disagree that the YSL incident is bad for himself and WP. But for intelligent people like us, we get the point, we get it, and we absolutely hate imbecile like you who think we don't and keep repeating, going on and on and on like a broken record. It's annoying. Your actions are small-minded and 钻牛角尖.

Your problem is you can't get WP to respond to you. They're indifferent to your nonsense and that must really frustrate you. That's why you can't stop. But guess what, the more you do that, the more they'll ignore you.

Wake up, Mr. Goh!

好说！好说！clap clap !

 

[Perspective]

Why did you keep saying people turn a blind eye to the flaws of WP MPs, YSL, etc? Just because in this forum and other social media, you get whacked non-stop when you flogged the deadhorse (YSL saga in your own words)? Nobody (few at worst) disagree that the YSL incident is bad for himself and WP.

Exactly. Ask this one question to any forummer who is pyro-ing this chap - "Would it be good that the YSL incident did not happen", none of them will say "No". Nobody is such an imbecile - even in the opposite direction as him.

 

[scroobal]

I honestly did expect the GRC hurdle to be cleared. It does show that bad policies cannot be covered and bad govts cannot hide. I even remember someone saying that WP may lose Hougang and be left empty handed. It was Chaim who was relentless to bring down a GRC in his lifetime and spent a lot of time convincing others. He was prepared to form alliances to do it. Now that one obstacle is out of the way, watch for more.

The PE is another example. The fact that they allowed a candidate who should not qualify stand is quite amazing. It did the job of splitting votes.

This is an insidious govt.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

with the formation of GRCs in the late 80s, it seemed as though the opposition had no chance of clearing the hurdle. times have indeed changed, starting with the fall of Aljunied GRC, we could be seeing a trend of more GRCs turning into opposition wards. the tides have changed!

I hope you're right. Unfortunately too many people are still playing by the old rulebook and not changing with the times. Too much dead wood still in opposition ranks, and the promising newcomers (nicole, jeanette, etc) are marooned until they make certain tough choices.

That's why I think a small, core group of leaders will eventually come together to fill up the gap and play a major role in lifting the standard and quality of the opposition as a whole. And I'm not talking about TJS. I'm talking about politically astute, well groomed individuals with a keen nose as well as important connections, coming together, and showing the way forward. This may materialize in time for GE2016, who knows. But I have hopes.

 

[GoldenDragon]

The PE is another example. The fact that they allowed a candidate who should not qualify stand is quite amazing. It did the job of splitting votes.

This is an insidious govt.

That move to allow an unqualified candidate to split votes is nothing compared to many things executed covertly to cripple the opposition for the past 4 decades. To exacerbate matters, $$$ not from PAP funds but taxpayers'.

 

[deepblue0911]

That move to allow an unqualified candidate to split votes is nothing compared to many things executed covertly to cripple the opposition for the past 4 decades. To exacerbate matters, $$$ not from PAP funds but taxpayers'.

Gee, this is really scary isn't it big brother GD? But surely the govt can't just spend state funds against opposition parties per se right? How to justify?

 

[geylangchickenloyangduck]

nah beh...i don't really see what spectacular things the TPL has done...with the RC, and all the state organs behind her and her party, what she cannot do? Raise funds for needies, please loh, there are many ways to sugar coat a pill, raise funds, personal donation, some good Samatrian, whatever.

the fact that WP manage to bring down a GRC, helmed by a cabinet minister speaks as much about the wants and desire of the electorate. And the fact that WP manage to strategise and put in a team into parliment is already news.

nah beh...PAP set up GRC on their terms, and WP now beat them at their own game, what more to say? Of course, no regime last forever, and surely PAP must now rethink, restrategise, and come up with new measures. Whoever in power will always want to stay in power, that is an age old fact. From ancient emperor to today's leaders.

And WP, with limited resources did not degenerate Aljunied & Hougang into slums is quite remarkable.

YSL is a flaw - yes, its a human flaw but did he misappropriate funds, was he charged in court? Wanna count how many ex-PAP MPs are charged in court?

Nah beh...i say monopoly is not right whether in business or in politics.

 

[deepblue0911]

I see two things clearly here. One is the natural cycle of birth, growth, plateau and then decline/death. The other is the corrupting influence of power.

Even a political party like the PAP is not immune to this natural life cycle. When you've difficulties attracting good, talented people with a heart to serve, then your decline starts. And it's a no brainer why there're difficulties -- when there's no longer trust that you care about the people. Politics are all about people and when you can't attract new blood, you'll die soon.

Having said that, some die faster than others, from the corrupting influence of power. Power is sexy and seductive and if you're not careful, becomes addictive. You like it so much that you'll do anything and everything to hold on to it. You start to allow personal interests to influence your decision making, hurting the people along the way. You may not have the intent to hurt the people, but you're so consumed in pursuing your own political agenda that you no longer care. You become indifferent to the needs of the people. And when this happens, it will hasten the decline of a political party.

And in life, your just can't escape these two things. It will happen.