Saturday, February 27, 2010
Survey: Elected Member of Parliament
Here are the survey results, based on the first 50 responses. The results surprised me. Although my blog does attract a larger proportion of people who are disillusioned with the ruling party, I do not expect the results of the survey to show an overwhelming dislike of the current government.
Enslaving a person for life
When a working person buys a very expensive property, he is enslaved for life. He has to work hard and long hours to earn sufficient income to meet the monthly payment over a period of 30 years - which is almost the entire working life. The worker cannot afford to be unemployed, as the monthly payment still has to be made, or the debt will mount, leading to high interest charges. Many people are highly stressed by this heavy burden and uncertainty.
There is a view that most people have bought their property earlier at lower prices, and the recent increase in price has enhanced the value of their assets. This is mostly an illusion. As they own only one property, they are not able to sell the property (to unlock its value) as they still need a place to stay. They also have to find someone to buy the property at the high price, and the next buyer will then be enslaved for life.
The people who benefit from the property bubble are the foreigners who are able to sell their property at the higher price, pocket the profits and return to their countries to buy a property at a modest price. The local Singaporeans have to carry the lifetime burden of the expensive property.
I hope that Singaporeans know the difference between a fair value and an inflated value from a property. They should not chase property prices at its inflated value, hoping to make a profit from its further inflation. The property bubble will burst and cause great financial hardship on them.
I also hope that our government leaders will take measures to bring property prices down to a reasonable multiple of the average earnings. As existing properties are over-priced, they have now to create a new market for a different type of "affordable" properties, which are not subject to the normal market forces. Let the consumers decide which market they wish to "invest" in.
Tan Kin Lian
There is a view that most people have bought their property earlier at lower prices, and the recent increase in price has enhanced the value of their assets. This is mostly an illusion. As they own only one property, they are not able to sell the property (to unlock its value) as they still need a place to stay. They also have to find someone to buy the property at the high price, and the next buyer will then be enslaved for life.
The people who benefit from the property bubble are the foreigners who are able to sell their property at the higher price, pocket the profits and return to their countries to buy a property at a modest price. The local Singaporeans have to carry the lifetime burden of the expensive property.
I hope that Singaporeans know the difference between a fair value and an inflated value from a property. They should not chase property prices at its inflated value, hoping to make a profit from its further inflation. The property bubble will burst and cause great financial hardship on them.
I also hope that our government leaders will take measures to bring property prices down to a reasonable multiple of the average earnings. As existing properties are over-priced, they have now to create a new market for a different type of "affordable" properties, which are not subject to the normal market forces. Let the consumers decide which market they wish to "invest" in.
Tan Kin Lian
Brave and sincere people
REX asked me to form a new political party as he thinks that the politicians from the alternative parties "lack credibility" and have baggage.
I have met many politicians from the alternative parties. Most of them are brave and sincere people and have the interest of Singaporeans at heart. They come from humble backgrounds and are able to represent the views of the people on the ground well.
These politicians have not been fairly represented in the mainstream media, which explains the negative impression that many Singaporeans had of them. I hope that Singaporeans will get the chance to know these politicians and be willing to give them a chance to prove themselves. They are likely to perform as well as Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong.
Tan Kin Lian
I have met many politicians from the alternative parties. Most of them are brave and sincere people and have the interest of Singaporeans at heart. They come from humble backgrounds and are able to represent the views of the people on the ground well.
These politicians have not been fairly represented in the mainstream media, which explains the negative impression that many Singaporeans had of them. I hope that Singaporeans will get the chance to know these politicians and be willing to give them a chance to prove themselves. They are likely to perform as well as Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong.
Tan Kin Lian
Blog promotion (15% discount) ends today
Today is the last day for the BLOG promotion (15% discount). There was a surge of order yesterday from many customers to catch the promotion. You can order now to enjoy the discount and pay next week. To order, click here.
Availability of elected MPs
At the SDP party, I met a guest who works in a family service center. She told me that in her constituency, the elected MP was too busy and could not attend the Meet the People session. This weekly session was handled by the local chairman, who is an unpaid volunteer. But the constituents preferred to see the MP and was disappointed that the MP was not available for several weeks.
In my view, it is better to have elected MPs who can devote their full time to constituency work and to actively debate government policies in Parliament. Some MPs may also initiate legislation to improve the lives of the people.
Two MPs in Singapore are already working full time, to my knowledge. They are Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong. I hope that the next general election will see more MPs being elected that can perform their duty on a full time basis. The monthly remuneration as an MP is quite generous and is sufficient for a MP to make a living.
I have watched the the members of the US congress expressing their views on legislative issues over Bloomberg and CNBC television. They are well informed of the issues at hand and of the views of their constituents.
Who will you vote in the next general election? Give your views in this survey.
Tan Kin Lian
In my view, it is better to have elected MPs who can devote their full time to constituency work and to actively debate government policies in Parliament. Some MPs may also initiate legislation to improve the lives of the people.
Two MPs in Singapore are already working full time, to my knowledge. They are Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong. I hope that the next general election will see more MPs being elected that can perform their duty on a full time basis. The monthly remuneration as an MP is quite generous and is sufficient for a MP to make a living.
I have watched the the members of the US congress expressing their views on legislative issues over Bloomberg and CNBC television. They are well informed of the issues at hand and of the views of their constituents.
Who will you vote in the next general election? Give your views in this survey.
Tan Kin Lian
30th anniversary of Singapore Democratic Party
I attended the 30th anniversary celebration party of the Singapore Democratic Party. Dr. Chee Soon Juan is the Secretary General. The event was fully attended by party members and guests.
I spoke to a few guests and asked about their occupation and views of Singapore. Several of them were not members of any political party but attended the event to show their support for change in the political system. They love Singapore but had been disappointed with the policies of the ruling party in recent years. One of them, who has worked in China for six years said, "The PAP has betrayed the people of Singapore". Two others made rude remarks about the top leaders of the Government.
I spoke to a few guests and asked about their occupation and views of Singapore. Several of them were not members of any political party but attended the event to show their support for change in the political system. They love Singapore but had been disappointed with the policies of the ruling party in recent years. One of them, who has worked in China for six years said, "The PAP has betrayed the people of Singapore". Two others made rude remarks about the top leaders of the Government.
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