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pharoah88 ( Date: 25-Sep-2010 17:02) Posted:

Is Ms sIngapOre a SarOng Party gIrl [SPG] ? ? ? ?

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O V E R H E A R D :

DEMO-CRACY has PARTISAN DIVISION ? ? ? ?

COMMUNISM has nO PARTISAN DIVISION ? ? ? ?

If DEMO-CRACY dOes nOt wOrk ? ? ? ?

dOes COMMUNISM wOrk ? ? ? ?

CHINA Is wOrkIng WELL ? ? ? ?

better than USA and JAPAN and EUROPE ? ? ? ?

Is CHINA   DEMO-CRACY ? ? ? ?

Is CHINA   COMMU-CRACY ? ? ? ?

Is CHINA   CONFUSE-CRACY ? ? ? ?

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Sep 25, 2010

What matters is a democracy that works

MR GERALD Giam's version of democracy ('What makes a democracy'; Wednesday) is precisely what I think Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew fears Singaporeans take for granted - an auto-pilot flight to success without recognising what made us successful.

Mr Giam dreams of a paradoxical democracy where all political parties compete vigorously and yet form a strong independent government institution void of partisan interest.

The fact is, there will be a partisan division because political parties cannot agree.

The world's greatest democracy, the United States, is stymied by its democratic structure. The President needs to submit his proposal (Bill) for approval by both the House and the Senate, with the two political parties at odds with each other.

Every Bill is debated vigorously by intelligent men on both sides and is often either amended or abandoned. While they debate and bicker, millions of Americans remain unemployed and jobs are lost to China daily. American wages have fallen since 2001.

Is this the type of democracy we should wish for?

It took an outstanding leader like President Barrack Obama many months to navigate partisan agendas to pass health-care reforms that give American workers basic access to health care.

Would we prefer to wait so long should MediShield require fixing one day? I am glad my Government is not only capable but free from being politically shackled.

When we are in a crisis, the Government is free to act swiftly. When manufacturing jobs were lost to China, the Government's response was swift, as was its rapid reaction to the global recession.

Theodore Yeo

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ImmIgratIOn department shOIld send a cItIzenshIp applIcation form to this AmerIcan ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 25-Sep-2010 17:12) Posted:

An American view

'I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to have the people's well-being at heart.'

MR MARK J. TOPOLSKI, North Carolina, United States: 'The democracy practised by America and Singapore, although different, are probably well suited for each county's size and demographic (Ms Margo McCutcheon, 'No say? It's simply not true, she says'; Sept 17).

Having observed Singapore's for more than 10 years now, I sometimes wish American politicians would always, or at least sometimes, first ask themselves what is best for the people, rather than what will get them elected another term. I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to really have the people's good and well-being at heart.'

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WHY "admIre" and nOt LOVE ? ? ? ?

WHY "sEEms" and nOt CONFIRMED ? ? ? ?

WHY "wIsh" and nOt WANT ? ? ? ?

WHY "Observed" and nOt ACCEPTED ? ? ? ?

ONLY ENJOY the DEMO-CRACY fOr OTHERS bUt nOt fOr hImself ? ? ? ?

WHAT SENSE Is thIs ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 25-Sep-2010 17:12) Posted:

An American view

'I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to have the people's well-being at heart.'

MR MARK J. TOPOLSKI, North Carolina, United States: 'The democracy practised by America and Singapore, although different, are probably well suited for each county's size and demographic (Ms Margo McCutcheon, 'No say? It's simply not true, she says'; Sept 17).

Having observed Singapore's for more than 10 years now, I sometimes wish American politicians would always, or at least sometimes, first ask themselves what is best for the people, rather than what will get them elected another term. I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to really have the people's good and well-being at heart.'

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An American view

'I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to have the people's well-being at heart.'

MR MARK J. TOPOLSKI, North Carolina, United States: 'The democracy practised by America and Singapore, although different, are probably well suited for each county's size and demographic (Ms Margo McCutcheon, 'No say? It's simply not true, she says'; Sept 17).

Having observed Singapore's for more than 10 years now, I sometimes wish American politicians would always, or at least sometimes, first ask themselves what is best for the people, rather than what will get them elected another term. I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to really have the people's good and well-being at heart.'

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Sep 25, 2010

Singapore democracy

'There is room for improvement.'

DR YIK KENG YEONG: 'The perfect democracy is as mythical as the unicorn (Mr Gerald Giam, 'What makes a democracy'; Sept 22). Elections are rigged, the electorate is apathetic and bribe-able, idealistic politicians commit sins, the administrative branch becomes inefficient, the judiciary operates under fear and the press resorts to gonzo journalism. These happen in democracies. There is, of course, room for improvement in Singapore, such as a more considerate bureaucratic response to public sentiment over bread-and-butter issues. The impression of an impassive leadership bent on pursuing its lofty goals, regardless of feedback on the ground, does prevail - well-considered though the goals may be. Singapore also does not yet have a credible opposition to present an alternate viewpoint, which is why it is important for the Government to be more empathetic towards direct complaints from the ground.'

An American view

'I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to have the people's well-being at heart.'

MR MARK J. TOPOLSKI, North Carolina, United States: 'The democracy practised by America and Singapore, although different, are probably well suited for each county's size and demographic (Ms Margo McCutcheon, 'No say? It's simply not true, she says'; Sept 17). Having observed Singapore's for more than 10 years now, I sometimes wish American politicians would always, or at least sometimes, first ask themselves what is best for the people, rather than what will get them elected another term. I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to really have the people's good and well-being at heart.'

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Is Ms sIngapOre a SarOng Party gIrl [SPG] ? ? ? ?

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neVer H E A R D :

sIngapOrean has DUAL CITIZINSHIP ? ? ? ?

sInce WHEN ? ? ? ?

WHICH LEGISLATION ? ? ? ?

WHAT ANNOUNCEMENT ? ? ? ?

WHOSE's POLICY AUTHORIZATION ? ? ? ?

hOw cOme ? ? ? ?

WHY ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 25-Sep-2010 16:54) Posted:

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Sep 25, 2010

Why PR to citizen is not easy or practical

MR ANIELLO Castellano's letter ('Separate permanent residents into two groups'; Sept 16) also touches on the issue of dual citizenship in the current discussion on permanent residency versus citizenship.

I have grown a deep respect for Singapore in the 16 years I have lived here. I am a permanent resident, married to a Singaporean and we have a son born here. I also contribute fully to the economy through a business created with my wife.

However, I cannot erase the identity, relationship or culture from the country of my birth, Britain.

I must also retain a financial umbilical cord as a member of Britain's national pension scheme, which is structured in such a way that withdrawal of funds (as is possible with the Central Provident Fund) is not an option.

While I desire to take on Singaporean citizenship, I have no desire - nor can I financially afford - to renounce my British citizenship.

The Singapore Government has wisely sought to encourage, for example, Chinese Singaporeans to maintain their cultural roots to their ethnic identity through promotion of the Chinese language.

Last year, an important step was taken in allowing children of mixed races to have both racial origins recorded on their Singapore identity cards.

My son faces a similar dilemma: while he currently holds Singapore and British citizenships, we are rapidly approaching the point when a decision must be made, under current Singapore legislation, to renounce one citizenship or the other.

Whether he retains Singapore citizenship or lives here as a PR, his immediate future plans do not change - he will gladly serve national service.

Surely the time has come for the Singapore Government to move forward another step and formally recognise the aspirations of many long-term resident foreigners by removing the current bar on dual citizenship.

Brian Dalby

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mAn says,

"I want the wOman jUst fOr fUn bUt nOt lOve."

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Sep 25, 2010

Why PR to citizen is not easy or practical

MR ANIELLO Castellano's letter ('Separate permanent residents into two groups'; Sept 16) also touches on the issue of dual citizenship in the current discussion on permanent residency versus citizenship.

I have grown a deep respect for Singapore in the 16 years I have lived here. I am a permanent resident, married to a Singaporean and we have a son born here. I also contribute fully to the economy through a business created with my wife.

However, I cannot erase the identity, relationship or culture from the country of my birth, Britain.

I must also retain a financial umbilical cord as a member of Britain's national pension scheme, which is structured in such a way that withdrawal of funds (as is possible with the Central Provident Fund) is not an option.

While I desire to take on Singaporean citizenship, I have no desire - nor can I financially afford - to renounce my British citizenship.

The Singapore Government has wisely sought to encourage, for example, Chinese Singaporeans to maintain their cultural roots to their ethnic identity through promotion of the Chinese language.

Last year, an important step was taken in allowing children of mixed races to have both racial origins recorded on their Singapore identity cards.

My son faces a similar dilemma: while he currently holds Singapore and British citizenships, we are rapidly approaching the point when a decision must be made, under current Singapore legislation, to renounce one citizenship or the other.

Whether he retains Singapore citizenship or lives here as a PR, his immediate future plans do not change - he will gladly serve national service.

Surely the time has come for the Singapore Government to move forward another step and formally recognise the aspirations of many long-term resident foreigners by removing the current bar on dual citizenship.

Brian Dalby

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mAn says,

"I want tO ENTER the wOmAn

bUt alsO leave her behInd thereafter"

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The mAn whO lOves sIngapOre ? ? ? ?

bUt cannOt marry sIngapOre ? ? ? ?

dO yOU belIeve hIs lOve ? ? ? ?

mIss sIngapOre ? ? ? ?

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O V E R H E A R D :

parents' vOIces On cOnseqUences Of "TEACH LESS LEARN MORE"

- mOre teachers are speaking pOOr ENGLISH ? ? ? ?

- mOre teachers dOn't knOw subjects [especIally SCIENCE] they are teachIng ? ? ? ?

- mOre teachers are nOt gIvIng hOme wOrks ? ? ? ?

- mOre teachers are nOt markIng schOOl wOrks sUbmItted ? ? ? ?

- mOre teachers are nOt completing the textbook syllabus before the exam ? ? ? ?

- mOre stUdents have deteriorated in their studies ? ? ? ?

- mOre parents are worried and disappointed ? ? ? ?

- mOre businesses for tuition centres ? ? ? ?

- mOre expenditure for the family ? ? ? ?

- mOre GST collected ? ? ? ?

- increase in GDP ? ? ? ?

WHY mInIstry Of education does not mail independent teacher assessment survey questionnaires to ALL parents at their home address for completion and return ? ? ? ?

DON'T just pIck few parents recommended by the schools, principals themselves ? ? ? ?

This approach is nOt INDEPENDENT ? ? ? ?

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Sep 25, 2010

FOCUS ON GRAMMAR

Yes, teach primary pupils the rules early

I AGREE that teaching English grammar should be reinstated in primary classes (Mrs Padmini Kesavapany, 'Reinstate grammar as a primary pillar'; Sept 18).

The fundamental principles of grammar, if taught early, would make a sound foundation for speaking and writing correct and better English.

But the Education Ministry must ensure that the teachers themselves are fully conversant with grammar.

Old grammar textbooks are reliable and should be considered.

Wren and Martin's High School English Grammar & Composition was used widely by many teachers in Singapore schools many years ago.

Parents and tuition teachers found it useful as well in teaching grammar.

I would also recommend that teachers and senior students be encouraged to refer frequently to the

English Pronouncing Dictionary by Daniel Jones, to help them speak better English.

English grammar is not the only subject whose reinstatement is overdue.

To improve the standards of mathematics, oral arithmetic should also be reintroduced to Primary 1 pupils.

Pupils today are too dependent on calculators.

Doing oral simple addition, subtraction, division and multiplication would help pupils to sharpen learning capacity and make them self-reliant.

N.T.S. Chopra

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fIne prInt ? ? ? ?

FRAUD tOOl ? ? ? ?

WHY fIne prInt nOt BANNED ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 25-Sep-2010 16:24) Posted:

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Sep 25, 2010

No protection despite an InsUrance rIder

RECENTLY, my car was damaged when my condominium's basement carpark was flooded.

As my insurance policy with MSIG covered the total constructive loss, I received a claim equivalent to a new replacement car.

But although I had bought a no-claim bonus (NCB) protector, the insurance firm told me that it would be reduced to only 20 per cent.

I would be eligible for the full 50 per cent bonus only if I paid five times the previous premium with MSIG.

Other insurance companies were charging only double the previous premium, with an NCB component of 20 per cent.

What is the point of paying for an NCB protector when obviously there is no protection?

How are customers protected when the reams of fine print contradict the perception they are given about full protection?

I expect to pay a higher premium but I don't understand why I paid for an NCB protector, which is honoured only if I am penalised by having my premium raised by 500 per cent.

Kelvin Pereira

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ST Forum

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Sep 25, 2010

No protection despite an InsUrance rIder

RECENTLY, my car was damaged when my condominium's basement carpark was flooded.

As my insurance policy with MSIG covered the total constructive loss, I received a claim equivalent to a new replacement car.

But although I had bought a no-claim bonus (NCB) protector, the insurance firm told me that it would be reduced to only 20 per cent.

I would be eligible for the full 50 per cent bonus only if I paid five times the previous premium with MSIG.

Other insurance companies were charging only double the previous premium, with an NCB component of 20 per cent.

What is the point of paying for an NCB protector when obviously there is no protection?

How are customers protected when the reams of fine print contradict the perception they are given about full protection?

I expect to pay a higher premium but I don't understand why I paid for an NCB protector, which is honoured only if I am penalised by having my premium raised by 500 per cent.

Kelvin Pereira

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nOn-stOp gOvernance faIlUres ? ? ? ?

whOle DBS bOard nEEd tO be CHANGED ? ? ? ?

whOle DBS tOp management nEEd tO be termInated ? ? ? ?