I'm one person who thinks a lot about right and wrong - my responsibilities as a human being, my obligations to my country and how my govt should treat
me..
In recent years, we saw the re-emergence of poverty in Singapore and a widening gulf between the right and poor. Even the average singapore has seen is quality of life erode and today his life is harder than what it was a few years ago. Owning a home, being able to have children and retire comfortable have become bigger challenges. Not only has competition intensified, the intense competition has produce more losers than before and deepen the pain of losing. This competition is conducted on an increasingly unlevel field stratifying our society and creating an underclass.
In response to the plight of the Singaporean commoner, meritocracy was brought up as a explanation for their situation. We have a meritocratic system so you get what you deserve - what you deserve is what your ability/talents/hardwork brings you. Since I was young, I was told Singapore is a meritocracy. Meritocracy? Let me ask you who polices or regulate this meritocracy? How is merit connected to effort? How can you be can we be sure a man gets what he deserves? The argument that a citizen gets what he deserves because we are a meritocracy is a circular one. Many responded to my earlier posting saying that what has happened to me is fair because we are a meritocracy. Our meritocracy is so perfect that everyone gets what he deserves....I don't buy that. I tell you why this argument is flawed. Our reward system is entirely man-made.
Our ministers get millions in pay because they have the mandate to determine their own pay. Our bankers make tons because they are given licenses to operate banks and competition is limited. Our big businesses do well because our govt takes care of them by keeping taxes low and labor cheap. Our labor is kept cheap because the govt allows the import of labor - if the govt does otherwise, the "merit" that workers get will be different. What we get is not what we deserve but a complex function of what the govt policies are vs how we are positioned to benefit or lose out from its actions.
My frustration stems from my belief that my plight is due to govt actions. They are constantly putting up challenges for the average Singaporeans so much so I blame them and not myself for my situation. Which govt import foreigners on scholarships to fill up its universities taking aways chances for its own people giving little help to ordinary citizens to elevate themselves. Yet it asks for the highest sacrifice of life to defend this country. We must be worse than blind to think that we don't deserve better. How you tell me this is a functioning meritocracy when a man can work all day and still not make enough to feed his family when another can make $3 millions shaking hands and kissing babies.
me..
In recent years, we saw the re-emergence of poverty in Singapore and a widening gulf between the right and poor. Even the average singapore has seen is quality of life erode and today his life is harder than what it was a few years ago. Owning a home, being able to have children and retire comfortable have become bigger challenges. Not only has competition intensified, the intense competition has produce more losers than before and deepen the pain of losing. This competition is conducted on an increasingly unlevel field stratifying our society and creating an underclass.
In response to the plight of the Singaporean commoner, meritocracy was brought up as a explanation for their situation. We have a meritocratic system so you get what you deserve - what you deserve is what your ability/talents/hardwork brings you. Since I was young, I was told Singapore is a meritocracy. Meritocracy? Let me ask you who polices or regulate this meritocracy? How is merit connected to effort? How can you be can we be sure a man gets what he deserves? The argument that a citizen gets what he deserves because we are a meritocracy is a circular one. Many responded to my earlier posting saying that what has happened to me is fair because we are a meritocracy. Our meritocracy is so perfect that everyone gets what he deserves....I don't buy that. I tell you why this argument is flawed. Our reward system is entirely man-made.
Our ministers get millions in pay because they have the mandate to determine their own pay. Our bankers make tons because they are given licenses to operate banks and competition is limited. Our big businesses do well because our govt takes care of them by keeping taxes low and labor cheap. Our labor is kept cheap because the govt allows the import of labor - if the govt does otherwise, the "merit" that workers get will be different. What we get is not what we deserve but a complex function of what the govt policies are vs how we are positioned to benefit or lose out from its actions.
My frustration stems from my belief that my plight is due to govt actions. They are constantly putting up challenges for the average Singaporeans so much so I blame them and not myself for my situation. Which govt import foreigners on scholarships to fill up its universities taking aways chances for its own people giving little help to ordinary citizens to elevate themselves. Yet it asks for the highest sacrifice of life to defend this country. We must be worse than blind to think that we don't deserve better. How you tell me this is a functioning meritocracy when a man can work all day and still not make enough to feed his family when another can make $3 millions shaking hands and kissing babies.
