The begining of a new reality

From the Online Citizen: From political party member to homelessness

Some interesting responds from the TOC readers. There were 48 comments (and counting) at the time of this writing. I have extracted a few salient ones, un-edited from two respondants which, best summaried my thought on the subject of "...the begining of a new reality."

First, comment by Akazukin

#07

Hi all, I strongly wish to share my ideas across, my lack of English command might cause this to be anti-read proof.

First off, the government’s money is the people’s money. The money is to be used on Singapore’s growth – from police, firefighters to foreign relations. I don’t think anyone have to right to take the money to buy a house for themselves, or to donate it to someone they love. To donate some to neighbour countries when they are facing disaster, yes, that makes sense. It ensure our country’s reputation and growth in the long run. Should we face disaster, the other country donate to us in return.

The bank, similiary, is also the people’s money. We could take a loan, but we must pay it back with interest. If we cannot expect the bank to donate and buy a house for us, How can we then expect to use the government’s money for ourselves? Is building a one-room flat considered a good progress for Singapore?

There are millions of Signaporeans. How many are actually willing to donate $10 to support the homeless? Truth is, not more than 20%. Everyone equally needs money. It is basic human rights. If they have $50 more today, they want to entertain themselves, get a new shoe, or buy a lottery. We cannot say that everyone is ‘bad’ by not donating. We will definately feel something when someone stole $10 or $50 from us. If we feel nothing, we can donate.

How would you feel when your money was taken by the government to buy KFC or McDonald to mr tan XX who is jobless? Won’t you feel pissed off? How about your money was being used to cover the expense of civil defence, development, and building the trust of foreign countries? won’t you feel proud?

It is very simple. The government tax the people so that they will have savings for development. They don’t tax the jobless. And they certaonly don’t tax everyone in order to give it to the poor. If they do, it is robbery.

The people’s money have a much more important usage. Stop looking at those giant figures and wonder why nobody give them to you. If you’re homeless and jobless, it is nobody to blame but yourself. If you think Singaporeans should support each other, You should work on getting donations for yourself, You should try to ask for money from door to door, and not looking and complaining about the collected tax paid by the people. It makes no sense.

#09

I suggest you all stop acting noble and upright. Imagine your 2% GST or income tax was all given to the old man to buy a house.

You’ll be pissed off.

And that old man was aiming at government’s money. It is your tax money.

#16

The problem is, many people are jealous of minister-level incomes. They then feel very discouraged in life. I work so hard to earn 800 hundred dollars, I must pay income tax, pay those people to get high salary.

And also about the giant savings the government had.

Like my argument above, it is to blame on yourself if you’re homeless. In this story, the old man chosed to work as a security guard, and when facing physical problems, he lost his job. What happened to simple McDonald counter service? what happened to the free old folks home offered to him? he refused.

Because why? throughout his life, he is aiming at the big money the government has. He lost respect to small incomes.

There are lots of 1-room flat, and the monthly bill to support it was only <200. But that guy wants the government to build FREE flats for the homeless.

And that money is our tax money.

It makes no sense to me.

I understand how everyone will hate my arguments, but I chose to write in this approach. Because I strongly believe that this "talking" is just a strong piece of white lie. In relaity, if you say Singaporeans should help each other, why don't you let the homeless move in and live with you? why don't you give $400 to the homless every month?

I feel that everyone is jealous of other people's money, which have led to a big mistake. Thus I strongly want to get my idea across. the government's savings is the people's tax for the country's growth. If you go to other country, you have to pay tax as their citizen as well. This ensure economy defense, if we have no savings, how are we going to compete with other countries in the long run?

He is homeless because he chose to be. He can give tuition , given his good level of English, he can do McDonalds, he can go old folks and play chinese chess, but he chose to be homeless, and he kept on dreaming about free houses, just because the government have some savings. Are we stupid enough to support this loser?

And here, in my view, is the respond that best expressed the sentiments of the majority of commentators:

Second, comment by Shan

#46

Hey Akazukin, you have garnered a lot of attention with what you’ve said. You have the right to voice out your views, no matter how heartless it may sound. There’s democracy within the people here and we still respect you.

You are still a human being like the rest of us and must have suffered much in your life. The fact that you say your salary is $800 a month means that you are struggling too. But $800 today cannot get you much so you must be getting help from somewhere. Do tell please. Is the government helping you? Are your relatives helping you? Where are you staying? What is your job? Do you think your efforts are only worth $800 a month?

The government here wants you to only subsist because if you were paid alot then you will be inclined to take breaks from work to enjoy life. If we all did that then the economy would slow down. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that; there’s always opportunity costs in whatever we do. ‘Breaks’ is a good opportunity cost. But it’s good for the people, not the government. The government want to pay themselves millions so they need you to work everyday till you are unable. Hence, they have policies that would not have you earn more than you need.

As for asking people to pay donations to help the poor, I think it’s not right, for we have done alot. Why is it that when there is a social problem the government directs them to the people on the street for help? We have been paying high prices for everything we buy and need : income taxes, transport fares, HDB prices and fees, rental spaces for businesses, road taxes, property taxes, fines for this and that..etc All these monies have been paid by us, so the government should use the money for uplifting society. Instead, they use it to pay themselves millions, and lose billions in bad investments. Still, no one gets punished for bad judement. If we make bad judgements, we are punished severly.

In short, Akazukin, we are pissed with the government for stealing our every breath. The groups of homeless people in Parks are the begining of a new reality. You just wait, Akazukin, there will be many more to come because people like you believe truly, eventhough you are one of the victims, that the government is doing a wonderful job.

We may become neighbours one day in Sembawang Park. Never know.

02 January 2010

A Happy New Year to one and all.