x 0

Who cares how yuppies raise their kids

Do parents who fight to get their kids into good schools or hire costly tutors get what they pay for?

MOTOKO RICH

First there was Ms Amy Chua, the Yale law professor and author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, who sent legions of parents into a tizzy with her exacting standards for piano practice and prohibitions against sleepovers.Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent is Less Work and More Fun Than You Think was published last Tuesday. In it, he argues that parenting hardly matters and that we should just let our children watch more television and play video games. With parenting made so easy, he says, we should go ahead and have more children.

Now comes Professor Bryan Caplan, an economist at George Mason University whose book

It is the age-old nature-or-nurture debate.

Ms Chua clearly favours the nurture side of the equation (if her heavy-handed approach could be described as “nurturing”).

Prof Caplan, who has already been dubbed the “Un-Tiger Mom”, writes: “While healthy, smart, happy, successful, virtuous parents tend to have matching offspring, the reason is largely nature, not nurture.”

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O V E R H E A R D :

dOn't GRC need to balance

the Religion minOritIes as well ? ? ? ?

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Members appointed to panels that

will certify minority candidates in GRC

SINGAPORE

They are the Malay Community Committee and the Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee.

The announcement in yesterday’s Government Gazette is yet another sign that the GE is near and that the Parliament may be dissolved soon.

The Malay Community Committee is chaired by Mr Abu Bakar Maidin. Its members are Mr Imram Mohamed, Mr Maarof Salleh, Mr Shafawi Ahmad and Mr Wan Hussin Zoohri.

The Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee is chaired by Mr Gopinath Pillai. Its members are Mr Gerard Francis De Silva, Mr K Kaisavapany, Mr Kirpa Ram Vij and Mr Rangareddy Jayachandran.

A Certificate of the Malay Community Committee has to be produced by candidates standing for election in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) which is designated as a constituency that must have at least one candidate from the Malay community.

Likewise, a Certificate of the Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee has to be produced by candidates in a GRC which is designated as a constituency that must have at least one candidate belonging to the Indian or other minority community.— The President has appointed members of two key committees that will certify if minority candidates in the coming General Election (GE) belong to their respective communities.

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may be

SingapOreans are sO lUcky:

ALL belOng tO the last categOry ? ? ? ?

nEEd nOt dO ? ? ? ?

everyday shakIng legs ? ? ? ?

drInkIng milo, coffee, tek tarik ? ? ? ?

bUt newspapers saId:

30+ % of young Singaporean polytechnic graduates " UNemployed" ? ? ? ?

abOUt 20% of young Singaporean university graduates " UNemployed" ? ? ? ?

WHAT is WHAT MEM ? ? ? ?

sO cOnfUsIng ? ? ? ?

Please speak sImple EnglIsh ? ? ? ?

x 0

when i lOOked and lOOked and lOOked and lOOked arOUnd ? ? ? ?

at the fOreign tOlent wOrking in SingapOre ? ? ? ?

jUst cannOt Understand ? ? ? ?

REALLY SingapOReans

dOn't want tO dO ? ? ? ?

cannOt dO ? ? ? ?

dare nOt dO ? ? ? ?

the fOllOwing jObs: ? ? ? ?

- Director ? ? ? ?

- Manager ? ? ? ?

- Accountant ? ? ? ?

- Auditor ? ? ? ?

- Banker ? ? ? ?

- Lawyer ? ? ? ?

- Engineer ? ? ? ?

- I.T. ? ? ? ?

- Secretary ? ? ? ?

- Administrator ? ? ? ?

- Clerk ? ? ? ?

- Teacher ? ? ? ?

- ? ? ? ?

jUst cannOt Understand ? ? ? ?

x 0

O V E R H E A R D :

fOreign tOlents Only allOwed tO take Up jObs that:

1. SingapOreans dOn't want tO dO ? ? ? ? [SingapOreans' persOnal chOice ? ? ? ?]

2. SingapOreans cannOt dO ? ? ? ? [SingapOreans' InabIlIty and mUst attend cOurses fIrst ? ? ? ?]

3. SingapOreans dare nOt dO ? ? ? ? [SingapOreans' are cOwardIce and have nO bravery ? ? ? ?]

4. SingapOreans nEEd nOt dO ? ? ? ? [SingapOreans' whO have passIve rental IncOme frOm insurance commissions, MLM over-riding network, hawker stall rental, HDB flat rental, private property rental, civil servant pensions, et cetera ? ? ? ?]

fOreIgn tOlent are nOt rObbIng SingapOreans Of theIr lIvelIhOOd ? ? ? ?

out-of-the-box ( Date: 19-Apr-2011 13:38) Posted:

Pity low wage workers have to compete with foreigh workers for S$ 800 per month pay and my graduate friends are out of job when his ex-company can hire SP with much lower pay... many visitors visit Singapore to get job and they can be given SP once company take them. So my friend lower his pay but still the same faith, is still higher than SP

x 0

current level of debate is very passive and slEEpy ? ? ? ?

This is the only debate where the audiences gOne to slEEp under the brIght lIghts ? ? ? ?

3rd wOrld debate ? ? ? ?

relative tO the schOOl debate On TV ? ? ? ?

schOOL debates are ACTIVE and 1st wOrld ? ? ? ?

NEVER SAW any audIence slEEpIng at schOOl debates ? ? ? ?

are we serIOUs abOUt the DEBATE ? ? ? ?

Or is it jUst a Useless act bUt a necessary fOrmalIty ? ? ? ?

that cOsts a lOt Of mOney ? ? ? ?

x 0

seating allowance ? ? ? ?

I sEE ! ! ! !

louis001 ( Date: 19-Apr-2011 12:54) Posted:

MP allowance is $13,000 per month......it's not Salary.if one have a seat in parliament, one get that amount, of course, need to do some ground work lah, plus one get to keep your FULL-TIME profession, be it technician, clerk, businessman, sales consultant, lawyer, accountant, telemarketeer,,,,go FULL-TIME MP also can, good money right.

x 0

Apr 17, 2011

DPM Wong urges Singaporeans abroad to vote

By Ho Ai Li, China Correspondent

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said that every vote counts and it matters regardless of where Singaporeans cast their vote. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

SHANGHAI - EVERY vote counts and it matters regardless of where Singaporeans cast their vote, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Saturday, as he tried to allay concerns that overseas ballots had little impact.

Some people had noted that ballots cast abroad at the 2006 General Elections were added up only after those in Singapore had been counted and suggested that overseas Singaporeans be allowed to vote earlier.

Speaking at a carnival in Shanghai for China-based Singaporeans, Mr Wong said that this would be difficult given the different time zones, as the Government would like all Singaporeans to vote at the same time.

He explained that when the vote count in Singapore shows a clear win for a certain candidate, and if the number of overseas ballots for that particular ward would not affect the result, the candidate will be declared the winner.

But the votes from abroad would still be added up and included in the final count, he assured. 'Their votes are counted. It's important, every vote counts,' he told reporters at the Singapore Day carnival at Shanghai's Century Park.

Mr Wong urged Singaporeans abroad to register to have a say in the elections, pointing out that there was still time to do so before the date of polling day is announced.

As of end March, nearly 2,800 outside Singapore have registered to vote at one of nine overseas polling stations in cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

About 5,500 people attended the Singapore Day gathering, the fourth such event to encourage those who are away from Singapore, to keep up their ties with home.

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Updated: 18/04/2011

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew confirms his candidacy for Tanjong Pagar GRC in the coming general election.

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew says he's happy to be still representing the Tanjong Pagar constituency - thus confirming his candidacy for Tanjong Pagar GRC in the coming general election.

®Copyright MediaCorp

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew says he's happy to be still representing the Tanjong Pagar constituency - thus confirming his candidacy for Tanjong Pagar GRC in the coming general election.

In a video posted on the People's Action Party's website, Mr Lee said he first won his seat in Tanjong Pagar in May 1955 and has seen the constituency transform in three generations.

He added it is no longer a scruffy area where the Harbour Board workers used to live.

MM Lee said Tanjong Pagar is as good as any constituency in Singapore.

For the coming polls, the PAP's Tanjong Pagar GRC team is expected to comprise, Minister Mentor Lee, Ms Indranee Rajah, Dr Lily Neo, Mr Baey Yam Keng and new candidate Major-General Chan Chun Sing.

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O V E R H E A R D :

S$18,000 wOw ? ? ? ?

louis001 ( Date: 19-Apr-2011 12:54) Posted:

MP allowance is $13,000 per month......it's not Salary.if one have a seat in parliament, one get that amount, of course, need to do some ground work lah, plus one get to keep your FULL-TIME profession, be it technician, clerk, businessman, sales consultant, lawyer, accountant, telemarketeer,,,,go FULL-TIME MP also can, good money right.

x 0

O V E R H E A R D :

The SUPER SCALE Part-Time MP SALARY ? ? ? ?

is EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE ? ? ? ?

in cUrrent dIre ecOnOmIc envIrOnment ? ? ? ?

That is WHY ? ? ? ?

SUPER STAR CANDIDATES ? ? ? ?

are rIsIng UP as COMPETITION to stand for election ? ? ? ?

and wIn the vOtes and prOve themselves as trUe leaders ? ? ? ?

wIthOUt havIng tO depend ? ? ? ?

On the pIty and prOtectIOn Of Others ? ? ? ?

* * * *

mOst Of all ? ? ? ?

trUe servIce cOmes ? ? ? ?

fUll tIme ? ? ? ?

jUst like 7 eleven ? ? ? ?

BETTER STILL

Is One StayIng in the Constintuency like Constintuency Guardian ? ? ? ?

tOgether weathering the day to day tOil of livelihood side by side ? ? ? ?

x 0

By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 18/04/2011

GE: SM Goh defends quality of new PAP candidates

Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong

SINGAPORE : Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has defended the quality of candidates put up by the ruling PAP for the upcoming election.

Speaking to the Singapore media delegation at the end of his visit to China, he said the PAP had, in the past, put up high—flyers, but then it was accused of being elitist.

" This time, the party has decided to select people who comprise a range of Singaporeans who can serve our future better. So in this slate of 24 candidates, we would have some people who will become office holders, then amongst them, some will become ministers, and hopefully among the new ministers will be a core team which can lead Singapore into the future," he said.

He added: " Very interestingly, this time we have a large number of people very familiar with grassroots activities. They have served for many years in the grassroots. They are known to the PAP MPs, and they are fielded for that reason.

" They key is, have they got the dedication, the commitment, the conviction, the sincerity to serve the people? That’s the test for us — the character issue, the ability to serve the people."

Mr Goh also offered a spirited response to critics of new PAP candidate, Tin Pei Ling.

He described Tin as being able to stand up to scrutiny, as well as being strong enough not to melt in the face of criticisms.

He said: " Tin Pei Ling was offered to me by PM as a candidate for Marine Parade GRC. I took her in quite happily knowing that she’s young, because I was thinking of her serving in MacPherson.

" MacPherson is an estate with a large number of old people, so I believe that she can reach out to the young, and the not so young and in particular, I would like her to do more to help the old people in MacPherson.

" I believe that for a young person to visit the rental blocks, the very old women stuck in the homes, a rapport can be forged between them. So that was my interest, so I has no difficulty accepting Tin Pei Ling into Marine Parade GRC, and there’s no reason to change my mind, having watched her."

But Mr Goh concurred that the PAP took feedback very seriously. He said perceptions were important, and could cause a candidate to lose the election.

Mr Goh added that Tin Pei Ling was a strong person, who had taken valid criticisms well.

He said that if she was weak, he would not want her on the team, because if one goes into battle, one would want to have a strong person.

Tin, who had served for seven years in the grassroots, was recommended by two PAP MPs, and deemed suitable as a candidate.

" Unfortunately for her, YouTube — people have put it on, and then it’s a complete distortion and of course some sound bites of her which pitted her as a rather light—weight person. Well, that’s a superficial view of her," Mr Goh added.

As to whether she would be an asset or a liability to his team, Mr Goh said he would not know until the election results are out. However, he believes she would make a good Member of Parliament.

Mr Goh also said the general election was not about Tin, but about the future of Singapore.

He said: " The key is to fight as a team and in the elections, I would hope that the voters will look at my team against the other team. So it’s team against team. And Tin Pei Ling should not be a distraction.

" I think you must know the opposition is going to find the weakest link and make her the red herring, turn her into a distraction so that the voters begin to chase after her.

" But is this election about Tin Pei Ling? No, this election is more than just Marine Parade GRC. It’s about the future of Singapore."

— CNA/al

x 0

O V E R H E A R D :

class 2011 is

SUB-prIme " A" TEAM ? ? ? ?

tOO many InsIders ? ? ? ?

frOm ARMY ? ? ? ?

and UNIONS ? ? ? ?

these are nOt UPfrOnt cOmmercIal peOple ? ? ? ?

takIng cOver behInd the economic battle ? ? ? ?

always prOcrastinaing in respOnse ? ? ? ?

nO Urgency ? ? ? ?

nO deadlInes ? ? ? ?

nO K P Is ? ? ? ?

nOt tUned tO the ecOnOmIc paradigm ? ? ? ?

Laulan ( Date: 18-Apr-2011 14:49) Posted:

Politicians in the elected government usually gets plenty of fringe benefits, because NGOs or the corporate world are ready to offer them jobs and directorships that sure to pay them well. So the attraction for money is always irresistible. Independent directorship appointment can fetch between $80,000 to $250,000 a year per company and they don't have to really work full time. So the lure of money is the primary concern, I think. I would not believe anyone to enter politics merely to serve. It has to be the combination of the two. Serving and getting monetary benefits. If it is just serving then society is asking too much of them. If they are just inside for monetary benefits, then they are asking too much of society. Therefore if you enter politics, I ask you to please serve more than the crave for money.

pharoah88 ( Date: 18-Apr-2011 11:34) Posted:

Class of 2011 not an ordinary slate, says PM

Up to half could become office-holders and at least five are minister material

Leong Wee Keat

weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg

# # # #

EXCELLENT for PERSONAL FUTURE OF OVER PAID SALARIES ? ? ? ?

NON OF THEM currently EARN MP level or SALARIES ? ? ? ?

* * * *

BAD NEWS for the POOR PEOPLE as PRICES WILL SURELY CONTINUE FLYING SKY HIGH ? ? ? ?

x 0

say a lOt ? ? ? ?

bUt nOt hIrIng ? ? ? ?

Older wOrkers ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 18-Apr-2011 13:51) Posted:

Not cutting older worker’s wages can boost firm’s competitiveness

Rachel Kelly

rachel@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

Human resource experts said a more flexible policy to embrace an older labour pool will help companies become more competitive given the current tight labour market

and increasing wage pressures.

Under the Retirement Age Act, employers can reduce an employee’s wage by as much as 10 per cent — assuming the reduction is based on “reasonable factors” like the employee’s productivity.

“In this tight labour market, organisations should also ensure that the needs of all their employees are taken care of and that older workers get to enjoy the same benefits as their younger counterparts where possible, in order not to lose their valuable talents to market competition,” said Mr Tim Hird, managing director of Robert Half, Singapore and Japan.

He said the recent decision of Singapore Airlines (SIA) to scrap its policy of cutting wages at 60 for all its 13,500 employees — confirmed by a spokesman on Wednesday — will send a positive signal for the labour market.

Other Singapore blue chips that currently do not cut the wages of employees who turn 60 include United Overseas Bank, Keppel, SingTel and Sembcorp.

SingTel said that, since July 1 last year, employees who turn 60 have not been subject to wage reductions.

The Keppel Group of Companies has also realised the importance of older workers.

Last year, it had a total of 232 retired and rehired employees in Singapore.

“We neither cut the wages of our employees who turn 60, nor implement a pay cut for re-employed workers post-retirement performing the same job,” said Ms Wang Look Fung, general manager (group corporate communications), at Keppel Corporation.

A spokesperson at fellow conglomerate Sembcorp Industries said: “The company initiates discussions with the employee six to nine months before he reaches retirement age to understand if the employee wishes to retire or continue on with the company.”— Companies that forgo policies to cut wages of workers who turn 60 could likely benefit in the long-run.

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 18/04/2011

GE: Ground " not so sweet" for elections, says SM Goh

Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong

SINGAPORE : Singapore’s Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, has said the issue of rising costs has rendered the ground " not so sweet" for elections.

Speaking to the Singapore media at the end of his visit to China, Mr Goh said: " I would not duck the issue, because politics is about people’s livelihood. Therefore, rising cost is a very big issue facing, not just Singapore, but facing every other country."

He questioned whether having more opposition members in Parliament would solve the problem.

He also pointed out that the government had transferred cash to the people, which more than offset additional costs due to inflation.

On immigration, Mr Goh said the government recognized it as a concern among citizens, and has moderated the flow.

But he said doing so has economic trade—offs that sometimes may not be apparent to the people.

Mr Goh also commented on People’s Action Party chairman Lim Boon Heng’s recent public display of emotions.

He said: " The man might be very quiet, might be very reticent, he has emotions, so he’s very human. Right? So in this particular case, I can understand why he broke down — because he was against the setting up of the IRs (integrated resorts). We had to debate.

" He was a very staunch Catholic — he was against it. We debated. We debated among the cabinet members, among ourselves, and he debated within himself.

" From the point of religion, he would say no. In fact, he said so quite clearly. He would be against it from that ground. But then he was a union leader — he had to create jobs."

In reply to a question on new candidates standing in single member constituencies, Senior Minster Goh said the PAP strategy is to field incumbents.

So whether it is Heng Swee Keat, Chan Chun Sing, or Tan Chuan Jin — they are members of the team, so we fight as a team in GRCs, and the 12 singles will fight as singles. And of course, the whole party will fight as a party to win the elections."

Turning to the slate and quality of opposition candidates, Mr Goh said it is easy for some voters to be impressed because so few good opposition candidates were fielded in the past.

He also said better qualified candidates could be a reflection of a greater interest in politics.

He added: " The key is to assess the motivations of the people standing for elections. I am not casting any aspersions on them. I am not suggesting that they have bad motivations. What I am saying is that in the PAP, when we interview candidates, we always try and probe the candidates’ motivations.

" It’s very important. What are your motivations.

Is it to advance your self interest, or are you there to serve the people?

Are you prepared to make time and energy, and be available to serve the people?

" So we probe for motivations, we probe for your convictions, your commitment and of course into your character."

When asked about his role in the upcoming election, Senior Minister Goh said it is the prime minister’s election and the prime minister will take charge.

He said both he and the minister mentor will take on what he called an " active role outside the arena" , watching developments and giving the prime minister feedback, when needed.

He added: " So my role will be to give some reading where I think it is useful for them to know, but without trying to crimp their style because the government has to fight it their way.

" This is the new environment, new electorate, so let them handle the new electorate. And to ensure that I win the Marine Parade GRC, so that two new candidates can be in parliament."

The senior minister also defended the PAP Manifesto, which was criticised as being short on details.

He said a manifesto cannot be too detailed or it would end up looking like a budget speech.

He added: " I frankly would like an elaboration on the challenges facing Singapore because I do believe that we are going into a period of uncertainties. Just look at events in the Middle East. How will that pan out? We don’t know yet.

" At the moment, the impact is not that large because the oil price has shot up, but Saudi Arabia is pumping more oil into the market, so the oil price is within a manageable limit.

" In our case, Singaporeans have not felt the effects of the oil price because we have tightened our monetary policy. The Singapore dollar has strengthened against the US dollar.

" So, while the oil price has shot up over 100 dollars, in terms of Singapore dollars, the prices have not gone up very much. So people don’t see that."

— CNA/al

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CONSOLIDATED ? ? ? ?

FALL BACK TO

S$0.280 ? ? ? ?

x 0

Opposition reacts to PAP manifesto

Some party chiefs express scepticism over promises others see similarities with their own

Hetty Musfirah and Wayne Chan

hetty@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

manifesto drew varied responses from the

Opposition parties yesterday, with some

taking credit for parts of it while others

cast doubt on the ruling party’s ability to

fulfill its promises.

Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam

was scathing in his assessment of the manifesto:

“The PAP have failed to raise median

household income significantly over the

last decade, so why should the electorate

trust them to do better over the next decade

when global economic conditions are

likely to be worse?”

In an email to MediaCorp, he added:

“The PAP talks about raising productivity

but the fact is that we are still falling further

and further behind the advanced nations ...

and there is no clear blueprint for how we

can stop the gap from continuing to widen.”

Mr Jeyaretnam was also sceptical of

the PAP’s pledge to raise educational levels

of the lower income groups “when we do

not have universal free education or the

investment to improve teaching standards

or lower class sizes”.

Commenting on the PAP manifesto, the

National Solidarity Party said there would be

no future for Singapore if the PAP cannot provide

cheaper housing for future generations.

During a walkabout yesterday, veteran

Opposition MP Chiam See Tong told reporters

that some of the points raised in the

PAP manifesto were similar to his party’s,

including the pledge to offer more help for

the lower-income group, senior citizens,

as well as the need to get Singaporeans

involved in shaping their own future.

Said the Singapore People’s Party chief:

“We will be happy to dialogue with the PAP

on those points.”

Similarly, Singapore Democratic Alliance

(SDA) secretary-general Desmond Lim

said his party was glad the PAP is singing

the same tune as the SDA in hoping to

build a better Singapore for Singaporeans.

To achieve this, Mr Lim said, would mean

including more Opposition voices among

the country’s next generation of leaders.

Said Mr Lim: “Whatever points the PAP

has presented, I will say it would be very

good for this country ... they had mentioned

securing the future together, which means

that they alone cannot actually (accomplish)

what they have listed.”— The People’s Action Party’s

MANIFESTO HAS AN EYE ON POTENTIAL ‘FAULT LINES’

Non-partisan political observers noted that the PAP manifesto places more emphasis on inclusiveness, compared to previous editions.

One reason for this could be the recognition that fault lines may appear as society becomes more open and complex, former Nominated MP Zulkifli Baharudin noted.

Said Mr Zulkifli: “There’s a fear that some of the population may not find their aspirational goals reflected in the PAP and, therefore, I think PAP has tried very hard to make sure that every segment in society, their aspirations and wishes are reflected in the manifesto.”

Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan pointed out that “the challenge for the PAP is, how do you craft a manifesto that suggest that you could have done a lot more in the last 40-odd years”.

Unlike some Opposition manifestos which try to address hot-button issues such as housing prices and transport, observers noted that the PAP manifesto does not spell out the specifics — given that its track record is evident.

Said Assistant Professor Tan: “I suspect voters might want more clarity, more detail, instead of a big-picture approach.”

Disagreeing, Mr Zulkifli said that the PAP “clearly presents its manifesto knowing very confidently that it will still form the Government after election”.

He added: “PAP has a greater burden ... its manifesto will have to be realised in the form of public policies once it gets voted in. In the case of the Opposition, certainly, that’s not the case. I think they’re just trying to provide fodder for more debate during the elections.”

Additional reporting by Hoe Yeen Nie and Evelyn Choo