My concern, after reading the report “MP offers some radical ideas for healthcare” (May 28), is that in different political camps, the inclination is to think of how to pour in more resources whenever we must find solutions to issues.
Worried about healthcare? Spend. Unemployment? Spend. Overcrowding? Spend.
While there are virtues in investing to get better returns, the flip side is that we may go soft in pursuing hard choices and pathways.
The way of the spendthrift is a disease we must prevent from taking hold. This applies to every level of any organisation. If we are not careful, we may not be able to reverse negative outcomes in due time.
Our thrifty forefathers scrimped and saved to ensure our survival and success. We must take a leaf out of their book.
We need a strong leadership that will consider options and tackle challenges without spending hard-earnt money, with a tough heart to tell our people to work hard and a tenacious mind to do our part for ourselves and the country.
Worried about healthcare? Learn to live healthily today. Unemployment? Go for classes to improve oneself. Overcrowding? If there are spaces left on the bus or train, put up with the inconvenience. Be patient for the problem to be fixed.
Meanwhile, one should work smarter and harder to improve one’s lifestyle.
The Chinese have a saying that wealth will not last through three generations. We have had three prime ministers, but I am confident we will prove the saying wrong, if we are willing to make sacrifices and pour with sweat to secure our future.
PATRICK LIEW SIOW GIAN
*Article first appeared on TodayOnline Forums (6 June 2014)