PAP Politicians are Different

[jw5]

There's one in particular who acts like a clown and talks like a buffoon.

For most politicians, it's either one or the other.

 

[TracyTan866]

There's one in particular who acts like a clown and talks like a buffoon.

For most politicians, it's either one or the other.

hahaha..we get a two-in-one in this pap MP?

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Pai-seh. Excuse my post. I see things in relativity. My typing is slower than my thoughts.
I will try to explain.

Politicians are necessary evils. They get the jobs by winning votes. So, basically, they just want to win voters over to their side.

That is where the similarity between PAP and say ... Australian politicians ends.

Yes, we should always bear in mind that politicians the world over are motivated by power and prestige, and they can only survive if they are vote pullers. This means frequently pandering to electorate.

That being said, there is a lot of scope in the job for a true sense of community, loyal to society and to country, and genuine desire to improve the lot of fellow countrymen. What we need in Singapore is a lot more of this, and a lot less of silly wayanging to save face, look good, but never do anything substantial to improve lives.

Behind the prestige, politics also comes with a tremendous amount of sacrifice in terms of personal privacy, disruption to family life and career, etc. And that is where the opposition is most hampered. Unlike the PAP they don't get paid for what they do, and to make matters even more lopsided, the print media is not on their side. That is why when it comes to the ballot box, we must vote wisely, and we must not hesitate to punch hard when it is called for. Don't need to be rude, but don't need to be grovelling or even overly-courteous either.

If you're a nice person, don't let it show. The time comes to whack, you must do it straight, no "thank you, but it can be better ...." lame shit.

 

[TracyTan866]

Yes, we should always bear in mind that politicians the world over are motivated by power and prestige, and they can only survive if they are vote pullers. This means frequently pandering to electorate.

That being said, there is a lot of scope in the job for a true sense of community, loyal to society and to country, and genuine desire to improve the lot of fellow countrymen. What we need in Singapore is a lot more of this, and a lot less of silly wayanging to save face, look good, but never do anything substantial to improve lives.

Behind the prestige, politics also comes with a tremendous amount of sacrifice in terms of personal privacy, disruption to family life and career, etc. And that is where the opposition is most hampered. Unlike the PAP they don't get paid for what they do, and to make matters even more lopsided, the print media is not on their side. That is why when it comes to the ballot box, we must vote wisely, and we must not hesitate to punch hard when it is called for. Don't need to be rude, but don't need to be grovelling or even overly-courteous either.

If you're a nice person, don't let it show. The time comes to whack, you must do it straight, no "thank you, but it can be better ...." lame shit.

Well said. The Opposition candidates in Singapore are trying fighting against tremendous odds. They deserve our support and encouragement. We must speak out when the opportunity arises

 

[Fook Seng]

Compare the breakdown by brand between Singapore and NZ. Hidden within those figures is the reason why the PAP can get away with what it does.....

New car sales by brand - Singapore 2010

1 1 Toyota 6,927 16.5%
5 2 Mercedes 4,705 11.2%
7 3 BMW 4,708 11.2%
9 4 VW 3,486 8.3%

I believe I have argued in some other thread that the ownership of cars has nothing to do with affordability but more a lifestyle preference. The affordability of motor vehicles in NZ is definitely higher than Singapore taken on a PPP basis.

 

[Leongsam]

I believe I have argued in some other thread that the ownership of cars has nothing to do with affordability but more a lifestyle preference. The affordability of motor vehicles in NZ is definitely higher than Singapore taken on a PPP basis.

The issue is not about affordability. It's about attitudes.

 

[Fook Seng]

The issue is not about affordability. It's about attitudes.

There is nothing to choose between the two - one who loves to drive expensive cars, and the other goes on long getaways to lakes and mountains. Sometimes there is no choice. It depends on accessibility.

 

[kukubird58]

Well said. The Opposition candidates in Singapore are trying fighting against tremendous odds. They deserve our support and encouragement. We must speak out when the opportunity arises

hahaha.....this is an understatement.....given the trend.
the APs are fighting against tremendous odds not against papee but amongst themselves.
as each party grows and also with the possibilities of new parties......the challenge is actually to avoid 3 corner fights in the coming elections.

 

[rusty]

I can assure you that politicians are the same the world over. The only difference is that in many countries, they get away with it but in some countries they can't.

The big difference is PAP politicians are able to cheat the people through their noses in raising tax to help the poor but the others can't.

 

[freedalas]

I can assure you that politicians are the same the world over. The only difference is that in many countries, they get away with it but in some countries they can't.

Politicians are similar all over the world but NOT the same. As an english expert, I would have thought you would know the difference between the word "same" and "similar". Yes, politicians do have similar traits regardless of which country. For example, they would conceive of strategies to remain in power forever. But then the methods they choose to achieve this would not be the same. Some would be more evil-minded in ensuring this than others. The PAP of course falls in this category, whereas the NZ govt adopts a more gregarious approach. Perhaps as an analogy, we can say that all forum hosts are similar. But then they are NOT the same as some are nastier than others or some love to split hairs much more than others.

 

[Leongsam]

whereas the NZ govt adopts a more gregarious approach.

Individuals vary. Politicians are no exception. I could easily name a handful of NZ politicians who are just as evil as the worst the PAP has to offer.

 

[freedalas]

Individuals vary. Politicians are no exception. I could easily name a handful of NZ politicians who are just as evil as the worst the PAP has to offer.

Really? If my memory serves me well, I can't recall reading anytime in NZ did those who opposed the govt were made bankrupt through slander suits nor branded as Marxist conspirators and tortured under detention without trial simply because they were wrote some articles critical of the govt. I grant you this point - that the goals of politicians are the same. But that's all, beyond that, they are different whether in terms of their values, conscience or egos etc

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Individuals vary. Politicians are no exception. I could easily name a handful of NZ politicians who are just as evil as the worst the PAP has to offer.

So what? There are good and bad hats in every country, that's not the point. The point is how to make things better. The point is the Singapore system is way too lopsided. I can name 10 PAP MPs I adore. So what. When the system is rotten, changing it must be the first priority, not paying attention to the nitty-gritties of which individual is good or bad -- although for key appt holders the individual personalities certainly are worthy of debate.

 

[Leongsam]

Really? If my memory serves me well, I can't recall reading anytime in NZ did those who opposed the govt were made bankrupt through slander suits nor branded as Marxist conspirators and tortured under detention without trial simply because they were wrote some articles critical of the govt. I grant you this point - that the goals of politicians are the same. But that's all, beyond that, they are different whether in terms of their values, conscience or egos etc

That's only because they wouldn't succeed with such actions in NZ. It's not because they don't want to do it.

The behavior of politicians the world over is the same. Their responses vary depending on the landscape. In the Middle East, opponents are taken away and shot. In Singapore, they're sued. In NZ, they wish they could shoot, they try to sue but the independent judiciary and police force prevents them from succeeding in their primeval desire to destroy their opponents.

The difference lies not in the politicians but in the electorate ensuring that politicians are not given unbridled power.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10714689

 

[freedalas]

That's only because they wouldn't succeed with such actions in NZ. It's not because they don't want to do it.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10714689

But that's the point isn't? They didn't succeed because the courts are truly independent of the govt unlike here. LKY had gone to the extent of exercising full control of the judiciary such that he always succeed in judgements if the trial is held in S'pore (as a historical fact, the PAP has lost all suits tried in other countries). The NZ govt would never go to the extent of controlling the courts. Neither would any of the first world country. Yet, LKY who claimed he had transformed S'pore from 3rd to 1st world is doing every bit of that. And that is one very huge DIFFERENCE.

 

[TracyTan866]

I believe I have argued in some other thread that the ownership of cars has nothing to do with affordability but more a lifestyle preference. The affordability of motor vehicles in NZ is definitely higher than Singapore taken on a PPP basis.

Good point...car owning as in house-proud Singaporeans is an emotive and lifestyle issue which differs much from NZ

 

[Leongsam]

The NZ govt would never go to the extent of controlling the courts. Neither would any of the first world country. Yet, LKY who claimed he had transformed S'pore from 3rd to 1st world is doing every bit of that. And that is one very huge DIFFERENCE.

The NZ govt would love to control the courts too but they can't because the citizenry would take to the streets in violent protest if they tried to. Just look what happened over an issue as minor as a Rugby game.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_South_Africa_rugby_union_tour_of_New_Zealand

I can assure you that there are very few politicians in this world who do not crave for absolute power. They have to kept in check by a system of separation of powers. This system has to be safeguarded by the citizens of the country. The politicians aren't going to the job. They're the ones who try to flout it whenever they can.

LKY could do what he did because he was allowed to. The blame ultimately lies with people of Singapore. Apathy is a politician's best friend. It allows them to literally get away with murder.

 

[TracyTan866]

hahaha.....this is an understatement.....given the trend.
the APs are fighting against tremendous odds not against papee but amongst themselves.
as each party grows and also with the possibilities of new parties......the challenge is actually to avoid 3 corner fights in the coming elections.

The pic will be clearer at the next GE

 

[TracyTan866]

The big difference is PAP politicians are able to cheat the people through their noses in raising tax to help the poor but the others can't.

Good point...they leegalise whatever they want. The SG Courts may not be able to convict them.. But the People's Court will judge and convict the PAP for moral wrong doing...and it's happening right now

 

[TracyTan866]

Politicians are similar all over the world but NOT the same. As an english expert, I would have thought you would know the difference between the word "same" and "similar". Yes, politicians do have similar traits regardless of which country. For example, they would conceive of strategies to remain in power forever. But then the methods they choose to achieve this would not be the same. Some would be more evil-minded in ensuring this than others. The PAP of course falls in this category, whereas the NZ govt adopts a more gregarious approach. Perhaps as an analogy, we can say that all forum hosts are similar. But then they are NOT the same as some are nastier than others or some love to split hairs much more than others.

Exactly..hence my thread that PAP politicians are different from other countries..