Physician in US considering Move to Singapore

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zzm9980
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Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 28 May 2013 1:16 pm

CitizenOfTheWorld wrote: suffice it to say I'm one of those who take seriously talk of bond market collapse, imposition of martial law, fema camps, etc. In other words, a conspiracy theorist.

Without a debate about it, for the sake of argument let us assume my fears are reasonable. If so, would Singapore be a safer place to hide away? I'm well aware Sing is not exactly a democracy, but I appreciate its lack of pretense to such. Also, since I'm not at all familiar with local politics, I can keep my mouth shut more easily than at home.
IMO there is more than enough, if not more, to keep the paranoid conspiracy theorist buzzing in Singapore.

You don't need martial law, we actually have the ISA It is active and readily used.. (Google "Singapore internal security act"). You won't hear too much about it though, or any court case, because of the next point...

Media is censored. Movies are chopped up, you can't even go to youporn.com or playboy.com from the Internet here (Google "mda banned websites"). Major criminal cases? Unless it is some middle manager getting put on trial for corruption because he got a hummer in a carpark, you'll be lucky to read a three sentence summary 18 months after the crime occurred. Brutal murder in the flat next to yours? You'll never know.

The top Singaporean companies are all heavily invested in by the government, and the top CEO/Directors of most are either former government officials, current ones, or the wives or off-spring there-of. The land is nearly all owned by the government, and oh by the way, have you heard about all of the millionaires created by the property bubble?

I could go on, but there are too many. But one last popular conspiracy: You (foreigners) will be brought in to steal the jobs of the locals, turned into citizens, to continue voting for the ruling party.

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Post by PNGMK » Tue, 28 May 2013 3:14 pm

My dentist is a yank. He seems pretty happy here. He came for the pussy I suspect (or maybe the ghey ass).

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 28 May 2013 4:38 pm

Isn't that what dentists do? Yank! :lol:
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by Brah » Wed, 29 May 2013 12:10 am

CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:I'm well aware Sing is not exactly a democracy, but I appreciate its lack of pretense to such.
Check the major news sites for news on Singapore today, and what they plan to do with the news media.

And keep this dialog going. Here we don't mind the stirring, we're usually doing that ourselves. And for conspiracy theories, SE sees through the BS here and back home pretty well.

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Post by BedokAmerican » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:25 pm

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you're upset about the results of the 2012 election. Or maybe the Nevada legislature is ticking you off? Not a reason to leave the U.S., in my opinion. Regardless of what people or party is in control there, there's always going to problems. However, there are problems everywhere in the world.

Las Vegas is maybe in a demise with the housing crisis but the entire U.S. isn't. Vermont and Utah are supposed to have better economies.

Anyway, at least you have freedom of speech in the U.S. and you can say whatever you want ever you want about your elected officials and question them, even make fun of them, etc. Anything goes in the U.S. as long as you're not threatening violence against anyone. No questioning authority here, and the newspapers and local TV stations are government controlled.

If you're considering a move here, you ought to come over on a tourist visa and check it out before making it permanent. Ride the MRT and buses during rush hour several times to and from several locations, try and get a taxi during peak hours, go to grocery stores and look at the inventory and prices, eat at restaurants, go into shopping malls and look at the price tags, try and talk to some locals (note the word "try"), etc. Also, look at condos. You'll find they're set up much differently than what you're used to and none have dishwashers. Do all these things and then ask yourself if you'd like to live here.

Also, stand in the heat dressed in work attire. I know Vegas can get hotter temperature-wise than Singapore (although the Singapore heat index can get as high as 110 Fahrenheit) but at least there's a chill in the winter. No winter here near the equator. I was used to hopping in a car and flipping the A/C on high, not waiting for buses or trains in the heat.

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Post by CitizenOfTheWorld » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:30 pm

Brah wrote:
CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:I'm well aware Sing is not exactly a democracy, but I appreciate its lack of pretense to such.
Check the major news sites for news on Singapore today, and what they plan to do with the news media.

And keep this dialog going. Here we don't mind the stirring, we're usually doing that ourselves. And for conspiracy theories, SE sees through the BS here and back home pretty well.
Thanks and I'm happy to keep it going until the SE board grows weary of it. As mentioned, the lack of democracy in Singapore would not trouble me much as I can easily keep my mouth shut. In the US, I'm a constant critic, which is not a problem at the moment, but I suspect soon will be. I'm happy to discuss it at length and in detail if people here want me to. Suffice it to say, Singapore, for all its many faults, isn't sending flying robots around the globe to zap anyone it pleases. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Anyway, as I was boarding my plane back home, I check my email on my phone to find my recruiter sent me a notice that the hospital wants to make an offer. If true, it will go through human resources and they should have a package in two weeks. I'll know more then if the offer is viable or not.

The question for now is, can a guy who just wants to work, keep his mouth shut about local issues and have a good time do well in Singapore?
"Democracy is also a form of religion. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses."
H.L. Mencken

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Post by ecureilx » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:35 pm

CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:..
The question for now is, can a guy who just wants to work, keep his mouth shut about local issues and have a good time do well in Singapore?
me says, yes...

A recent addition to the attractiveness of Singapore is the growing number of Budget carriers, or LCCs, and that means, if you have little spare cash, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and all over the region can help you unwind .. if you find Singapore congested ;)

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Post by Wd40 » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:36 pm

CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:
Brah wrote:
CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:I'm well aware Sing is not exactly a democracy, but I appreciate its lack of pretense to such.
Check the major news sites for news on Singapore today, and what they plan to do with the news media.

And keep this dialog going. Here we don't mind the stirring, we're usually doing that ourselves. And for conspiracy theories, SE sees through the BS here and back home pretty well.
Thanks and I'm happy to keep it going until the SE board grows weary of it. As mentioned, the lack of democracy in Singapore would not trouble me much as I can easily keep my mouth shut. In the US, I'm a constant critic, which is not a problem at the moment, but I suspect soon will be. I'm happy to discuss it at length and in detail if people here want me to. Suffice it to say, Singapore, for all its many faults, isn't sending flying robots around the globe to zap anyone it pleases. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Anyway, as I was boarding my plane back home, I check my email on my phone to find my recruiter sent me a notice that the hospital wants to make an offer. If true, it will go through human resources and they should have a package in two weeks. I'll know more then if the offer is viable or not.

The question for now is, can a guy who just wants to work, keep his mouth shut about local issues and have a good time do well in Singapore?
Oh yes absolutely! The zillions of foreigners working in Singapore are doing exactly that :)

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Post by CitizenOfTheWorld » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:50 pm

BedokAmerican wrote:I could be wrong, but it sounds like you're upset about the results of the 2012 election. Or maybe the Nevada legislature is ticking you off? Not a reason to leave the U.S., in my opinion. Regardless of what people or party is in control there, there's always going to problems. However, there are problems everywhere in the world.

Las Vegas is maybe in a demise with the housing crisis but the entire U.S. isn't. Vermont and Utah are supposed to have better economies.

Anyway, at least you have freedom of speech in the U.S. and you can say whatever you want ever you want about your elected officials and question them, even make fun of them, etc. Anything goes in the U.S. as long as you're not threatening violence against anyone. No questioning authority here, and the newspapers and local TV stations are government controlled.

If you're considering a move here, you ought to come over on a tourist visa and check it out before making it permanent. Ride the MRT and buses during rush hour several times to and from several locations, try and get a taxi during peak hours, go to grocery stores and look at the inventory and prices, eat at restaurants, go into shopping malls and look at the price tags, try and talk to some locals (note the word "try"), etc. Also, look at condos. You'll find they're set up much differently than what you're used to and none have dishwashers. Do all these things and then ask yourself if you'd like to live here.

Also, stand in the heat dressed in work attire. I know Vegas can get hotter temperature-wise than Singapore (although the Singapore heat index can get as high as 110 Fahrenheit) but at least there's a chill in the winter. No winter here near the equator. I was used to hopping in a car and flipping the A/C on high, not waiting for buses or trains in the heat.
I was upset, though not, i think, in the way you mean. I sat out the November elections, since I see no reason to bother choosing between two nearly identical candidates. Yes we do have freedom of speech and I like to use it often. But notice the new restrictions of our Bill of Rights...4th amendment (freedom from unreasonable search and seizure) 5th (freedom from self incrimination, double jeopardy) 6th (Speedy trial by jury, right to counsel and examine and cross examine witnesses against you)

The legal framework, via patriot act, National Defense Authorization Act, etc now exists to demolish them at the government's whim. And a sheeple public will stand by and applaud the for it. And once those freedoms are gone, the 1st amendment wont have a leg to stand on: There is no "freedom of speech" if it you can be arrested without charges, held indefinitely, tortured, or perhaps just declared a terrorist threat and assassinated, saving everyone the trouble. Freedom of speech is an illusion in such circumstances: you may speak, so long as you are allowed to speak.

And don't be fooled that the government is using its newly aquired powers sparingly at the moment. They can turn the faucet on full with lots of hot water in no time.

Now it may be the US is still ahead of Singapore in terms of democracy, but clearly you can see the trend.

As for the heat, you are clearly correct. I was just in Sing and did all those things you suggested. And it was quite hot, but it was the humidity that hits the hardest. Vegas is as dry as...well the desert I guess.
"Democracy is also a form of religion. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses."
H.L. Mencken

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Post by CitizenOfTheWorld » Wed, 29 May 2013 2:55 pm

ecureilx wrote:
CitizenOfTheWorld wrote:..
The question for now is, can a guy who just wants to work, keep his mouth shut about local issues and have a good time do well in Singapore?
me says, yes...

A recent addition to the attractiveness of Singapore is the growing number of Budget carriers, or LCCs, and that means, if you have little spare cash, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and all over the region can help you unwind .. if you find Singapore congested ;)
All shapes and sizes, ecurelix, all shapes and sizes :cool:
"Democracy is also a form of religion. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses."
H.L. Mencken

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zzm9980
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Post by zzm9980 » Wed, 29 May 2013 3:27 pm

So everything you fault the US in regards to eroding freedoms, Singapore is much worse. They never had them in the first place. You're much more likely to be censored or imprisoned here for something you're hypothetically concerned about in the US. Any kind of hate speech or fundamentalist preaching that may get you (or your relatives) an unpleasant visit from the FBI will get you locked up here. Rude/impolite/offensive comments on your Facebook? You can also get fined quite heavily if someone complains.

But you're OK to come here and keep your mouth shut? Then honestly you won't have any problems. On the bright side of your concerns, Singapore isn't drone striking anyone.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 29 May 2013 4:06 pm

yet.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 29 May 2013 4:07 pm

Now if they could just locate the headquarters/HDB flats of those who operate the Alternative News sites like TRE, etc., they might start.....

They already have the technology at SingTech.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ ... latest-uav
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by nakatago » Wed, 29 May 2013 4:11 pm

zzm9980 wrote: On the bright side of your concerns, Singapore isn't drone striking anyone.
Heavy downpours, tall buildings, almost everyone living in those tall buildings...

...on the other hand, lots of unwilling soldiers will finally find their skills playing video games useful.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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Post by ecureilx » Wed, 29 May 2013 4:16 pm

zzm9980 wrote:But you're OK to come here and keep your mouth shut? Then honestly you won't have any problems. On the bright side of your concerns, Singapore isn't drone striking anyone.
But Singapore has enough top-end Gear .. like the F15s to G550s to Subs to .. ah wait, add Uncle Sam's LCS stationed in Singapore ;)

Oopss .. my post succeeded Naks and SMS's

Both you guys, where can I sign up for the NBC Protected bunkers ?? :D

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