Saturday, April 23, 2011
The PAP’s track record.
Our ministers continue to boast about their track records; indeed the PAP has a lengthy track record, being in power for so long. But track records remain mere past achievements per se. And a track record is only self-satisfying unless the populace benefit from it. And there are records which actually caused more misery than goodness.
One outstanding record of the PAP is the creation of contention. This one track record itself is enough to negate many others. The adverse effect of contention may be illustrated by the Musical Chair Game that we all had fun with from young. The government can build us beautiful comfortable chairs to sit on, but when it builds just one chair short confrontation, unhappiness and suffering prevails.
When supply falls short of demand the strong rides roughshod over the others, by whatever means. This is very evident in the bidding of the COE, the certificate of entitlement to purchase a vehicle, when the cost of the COE rises or even exceeds that of the vehicle. Indeed this is an excellent way of making money, billions of dollars a year.
When contention arose where car park lots were less than the requirement of the car owners in a block, what was the remedy – it introduced car parking charges to encourage car owners to park elsewhere, thereby collecting revenue. When roads are congested, it introduces ERP gantries to collect tolls, to encourage motorists to use other roads, thereby collecting revenue also. A thinking man is utterly amazed by all this squeezing of the balloon to get rid of the air; where can the air go with each squeeze; where can the car owners park their cars, or drive on, when at each turn they face the same problem.
Contention has proven to be a real efficient money milking machine, and it is equally easy to manage too, always provide just short of whatever is needed, a very simple trick. This is the trademark of the PAP, their most significant track record.
As a retiree I avoided going out on weekends: nowadays going out on weekdays is an ordeal too. A few years ago my neighbour said, “I get people in my face.” It was quite an unusual phrase, but I understand him totally now. Even while walking, there will always be someone crossing in front of another from behind to the other side of him.
Personally I have adopted an energy saving way – whenever I am about to pass a doorway, I would slow down near it, and sure enough someone will come from behind and push the door wide open, enabling me to just follow through, hands free, thank him very much.
Have a nice Easter weekend
Ronald
PS.
When one lives by track records, one has undoubtedly not much more to offer.
One outstanding record of the PAP is the creation of contention. This one track record itself is enough to negate many others. The adverse effect of contention may be illustrated by the Musical Chair Game that we all had fun with from young. The government can build us beautiful comfortable chairs to sit on, but when it builds just one chair short confrontation, unhappiness and suffering prevails.
When supply falls short of demand the strong rides roughshod over the others, by whatever means. This is very evident in the bidding of the COE, the certificate of entitlement to purchase a vehicle, when the cost of the COE rises or even exceeds that of the vehicle. Indeed this is an excellent way of making money, billions of dollars a year.
When contention arose where car park lots were less than the requirement of the car owners in a block, what was the remedy – it introduced car parking charges to encourage car owners to park elsewhere, thereby collecting revenue. When roads are congested, it introduces ERP gantries to collect tolls, to encourage motorists to use other roads, thereby collecting revenue also. A thinking man is utterly amazed by all this squeezing of the balloon to get rid of the air; where can the air go with each squeeze; where can the car owners park their cars, or drive on, when at each turn they face the same problem.
Contention has proven to be a real efficient money milking machine, and it is equally easy to manage too, always provide just short of whatever is needed, a very simple trick. This is the trademark of the PAP, their most significant track record.
As a retiree I avoided going out on weekends: nowadays going out on weekdays is an ordeal too. A few years ago my neighbour said, “I get people in my face.” It was quite an unusual phrase, but I understand him totally now. Even while walking, there will always be someone crossing in front of another from behind to the other side of him.
Personally I have adopted an energy saving way – whenever I am about to pass a doorway, I would slow down near it, and sure enough someone will come from behind and push the door wide open, enabling me to just follow through, hands free, thank him very much.
Have a nice Easter weekend
Ronald
PS.
When one lives by track records, one has undoubtedly not much more to offer.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Jumping
Jumping
Jumping is an artful skill
Sportspeople train to excel
For fame and for glory
For gain and for wealth
They jump high
They jump long
They jump sideways
They jump upside down
There are other types of jump
The jump onto MRT tracks
The jump from their flats
The jump from hotels too
These jumps are tragic
Alternatives to misery
Left by the society
Unable to rise
The wise jump and enjoy
The losers jump to die
Another jump is available
The non yoyo fail to see
Down and up and on and on
Thrills with a rope for safety
Jump if jump one must
The choice is aplenty
Ronald
Jumping is an artful skill
Sportspeople train to excel
For fame and for glory
For gain and for wealth
They jump high
They jump long
They jump sideways
They jump upside down
There are other types of jump
The jump onto MRT tracks
The jump from their flats
The jump from hotels too
These jumps are tragic
Alternatives to misery
Left by the society
Unable to rise
The wise jump and enjoy
The losers jump to die
Another jump is available
The non yoyo fail to see
Down and up and on and on
Thrills with a rope for safety
Jump if jump one must
The choice is aplenty
Ronald
