Our population can't keep rising

[makapaaa]

Our population can't keep rising


Letter from Tham Su-yin
04:46 AM Sep 14, 2011


I REFER to the study reported in "Without migration of some magnitude, Singapore's population will decline, says IPS" (Sept 8). With a low birth rate and longer life expectancy, it is obvious Singapore's population is ageing.

This situation is faced by many developed countries, and it is easy to see that if we can raise the number of young people by migration or by birth, we will have more working people to support the elderly who are living longer due to better medical science.

I am not against immigration, as migrants have made positive contributions to Singapore. However, I am concerned that Singapore views it necessary to have ever more young people to look after the elderly.

This view is ecologically unsustainable, for the ever more young people will eventually grow old and will need yet more people to support them. This benefits only the present generation at the expense of the next.

We cannot increase our population indefinitely. Resources such as food, water and land are finite. Only non-physical things such as respect, spiritual growth, knowledge, health and quality of relationships can increase in a physically finite world.

Our census shows that Singapore's total population has grown from 2.07 million in 1970 to 5.08 million last year.

As world population hits 7 billion this year and possibly 9 billion in time, and people in Singapore already complaining of overcrowding and congestion, I hope our leaders will look at ways to manage a stable population and make ageing affordable instead.

Longer, healthier lives mean we can work longer. With more flexible job arrangements, more jobs can be done by older workers. Given training and support, the fit old can care for the infirm older.

It is unwise to think we can continue adding more people into Singapore and, of course, the world.

As former United States President John F Kennedy's environmental adviser Kenneth Boulding said 45 years ago: "Anyone who believes in indefinite growth of anything physical on a physically finite planet is either a madman or an economist."

 

[makapaaa]

<TBODY> [TD="class: msgF, width: 1%, align: right"]From:

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[TD="class: msgFname, width: 68%"] ANYMOS <NOBR></NOBR>[/TD]
[TD="class: msgDate, width: 30%, align: right"]Sep-14 10:23 am [/TD]

[TD="class: msgT, width: 1%, align: right"]To: [/TD]
[TD="class: msgTname, width: 68%"] 3in1Mod <NOBR></NOBR>unread[/TD]
[TD="class: msgNum, align: right"](2 of 11) [/TD]

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[TD="class: msgleft, width: 1%"][/TD]
[TD="class: wintiny, align: right"] 57458.2 in reply to 57458.1 [/TD]

[TD="class: msgtxt"]What she says is true for a normal country. However, Singapore is not normal - it is a labour exploitation hub. Therefore, in theory, the idea of always importing young workers to support the overall population can be implemented. The PAP can do so by churning foreign workers so that when they grow old/older and less productive, most of them will return to their countries of origin, by law or by their own accord.
Already, I've met some mid-level executive Malaysians who are PRs but do not think they can sustain living and having a family here as SG citizens. Or at least, they believe, they will have a better standard of living moving back to Malaysia eventually (be it after retirement or even if and when they find a suitable job back home). The others aim to move on to 1st world countries like Australia, USA etc.
Says a lot about the overall sustainability of this country. What happens when the local-born citizens continue to decline in numbers and quality ? Eventually, together with social immobility, what happens is that the remaining citizens will be those who are rich due to inheritance and privileged backgrounds, but who will be genetically dumber and dumber by the natural laws of evolution (survival not through natural competition and selection).
We already see this happening in front of our eyes with the PAP. Wong Kan Seng the midget UNtalent comes to mind.
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[singveld]

If our economic system is capitalism, then our population must go up, no matter what, if not the economic will halt and collapse, do you even understand singapore economic model, before you talk about population growth, it is not what you are comfortable with, it is the harsh reality of economic model adopted.

 

[Cruxx]

Does everyone benefit from macroeconomic growth? If Bill Gates were to become my neighbour, the combined income of the neighbourhood would soar. And then what? Would I become a billionaire too?

 

[Fook Seng]

If our economic system is capitalism, then our population must go up, no matter what, if not the economic will halt and collapse, do you even understand singapore economic model, before you talk about population growth, it is not what you are comfortable with, it is the harsh reality of economic model adopted.

This means that in a capitalist society, the system will eventually collapse as indefinite population growth is not sustainable.

 

[Cruxx]

Capitalism this, capitalism that. Anti-capitalists would put the blame on capitalism for every social ill they could think of. But what is capitalism? It is the economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for private profit. Nowhere does it mandate infinite growth and all the nonsense that socialists associate capitalism with.

 

[psy83]

Capitalism will stop local business from surviving or opening up. Just like the Prc Barbers edging out all the Malay barbers with cheaper hair-cuts. As long as Certain Local business is not protected, Singapore Entrepreneurship cant take off unless you can come up with a solid Idea/Innovation to compete with the Big boys on the International Front. For an example.. If 7-11 is not allowed to operate here,Just like Australia and is protected for Locals, We can see more Locals opening up Mama Shops. Control has to be put in place. And further more.. When was the last time you entered 7-11? Have you seen the price of things in there? A can of coke in a 7-11 here is the same price as a Can of Coke in Australia. Also take note of Cheers which is belongs to Ntuc, Their price is a couple of cents cheaper then 7-11 as their goods are obviously from the same stock as Fair-price but if you enter any one of those, We will see that it Hires P.R.C/Pinoys where-else this type of jobs can be given to Local women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to mend plus if franchise of this type of business is not allowed to operate or Ntuc doesnt open up this chains, We can also see more local Mama shops. So the big boys come in Edge out the locals or Small local shops and put a Price tag and Monopolies the Market which in-turns makes consumers paid more. Singapore is the most business friendly country in the world and look where the Commoners are now? Poly grads Entry wages are still at 1.8, The same as 15-20yrs ago and so are Local grads. More people are asking for welfare and Food-stamp then ever before and wages across the board is still the same. Data showing Low unemployment might be Correct but majority are working with very little wages, Part-time, Project-base freelance, 3/6/12 month contract basic and double 2 jobs per day. Lets not kid our-self Cos its pretty obvious majority of Singaporeans who went thru the same System are not benefiting with Full-on Capitalism or the Influx of Immigrants, Foreign Businesses and Investments.

No One model can accommodate everyone in the Society, But our model gives an Advantage to the Elites,Rich and Very Well-educated with special skills and those well connected, Instead of the the Majority of Singaporeans whom doesnt not fall within that group. Also take note that Singapore has the Highest Rich/Poor Gap in the World, Doesnt mean the papers doesnt show the plight of the poor or the government doesnt release the data on how many Singaporeans earn between 500-1000 a month, or 1k to 1.5 or the Difference between earning power of P/R an Citizens seperately doesnt mean things are ok..

One day when it really hits the society hard etc.. Depression, Then chaos will ensure.. If i cant feed my family.. Im pretty sure Im going to beat you up and take your money to buy food for them. Then we will go back to the time of Hunter/Gather where the one with the bigger balls, Bigger muscles, the one that can run faster and the one that can fight will Triumph.

P.s Everyone agrees that USA is in Shambles right now is because of Capitalism. 1/4 are living the life and 3/4 is on the streets or is heavily in debt and its very much caused by Capitalism.. The rich get Richer cos they now Import from 3rd world countries or out-sources the manufacturing of their products to 3rd world country sweat-shops instead of producing it locally thus closing down more locally run companies. Singapore will defiantly enter a Recession soon and Depression will hit, Even before leading towards the 1998 recession, I dont believe there was this case of Countries fighting very hard not to default, Climate changes etc Devastating crops and civil unrest. When it kicks into gear, Im pretty sure it will be worst then 1998 and all those American/British and Even chinese business here will be heavily hit and all those Foreigners they hired will be left stranded on this Island, Competing for territory space with our local Ganang guni man.

 

[Agoraphobic]

Capitalism, communism, socialism, lalaism, all the same = materialism and consumerism.

Higher population density = lower quality of life.

No matter what ism is in.

Cheers!

 

[psy83]

Capitalism, communism, socialism, lalaism, all the same = materialism and consumerism.

Higher population density = lower quality of life.

No matter what ism is in.

Cheers!

That sums up every thing. More people eating a pie means less share and less Happiness.