x9200 wrote:
If the opposition wins?
But I don't see that they can. Within one discussion we have the suggestion that the opposition might
possibly win one GRC, and then also that they
might take government. I find it perplexing that so many people are running so scared. Are there no opinion polls in the constituencies, or is it useful scare-mongering by the PAP?
IMO the problem is with the dependency on the state. Singaporeans take the social security created by the gov. for granted.
The psychological dependency? Yes I would agree with that, I think they have one, but after 56 years that should be no surprise.
As I said earlier on, if you create a pressure cooker, there is a risk it will go with a bang. The PAP - in their omniscient wisdom - should have seen this, so what should we make of the fact that they did not?
Should they not have seen that the popular will demands an opening of the democratic process... no, even on this campaign they have redrawn the electoral boundaries again (gerrymandering), and
even closed down Speaker's Corner. I mean how out of touch could you continue to be?
Trust has nothing to do with this. The true democracy would be probably very similar to this of the pre-China HK. I seriously doubt majority of Singaporeans would like it.
Well then they will have ‘5 years to regret it’ and learn won’t they?
Just as the residents of Potong Pasir are managing to live with a closed MRT and the hideous threats made over them. It doesn’t mean the end of the world as we know it. As their voices and choices show.
I can only talk for myself Pure pragmatics: the lack of democracy works for Singapore and I don't think ppl are here unhappy so why the need of the change if the outcome is at best uncertain?
If people are not unhappy why fear their verdict on election day? I think it is time for SGns to grow up politically. I think the PAP are doing a great job but I also find their arrogance and various schemes to remain perpetually in power really rather tiring.
It is far from being perfect but again, it works.
Ok. But let’s be honest here. The max we’ll see is a GRC going to the opposition. What is so scary about that?
Secondly the democracy comes with the price. It is inevitably paid by the ordinary people who made the transformation possible but have no idea how this would affect their lives. If the country is being transformed from some commie underdeveloped state where people really suffer then this is IMO justified. Not the case for Singapore.
But I think that discounts the people that (rightly or wrongly)
feel they have nothing to lose. And the PAP are facing an opposition that feel they have nothing to lose.
On top of this in every existing democracy there is some level of abuse. How to judge if this particular one is out of base for the given social and cultural setting?
Sure, all of them, except in Singapore of course where there is no abuse hehe.
The people will speak. Nobody who believes in democracy should be afraid.
