Having said that, going by empirical observation since 1984 GE, like what many old stalwarts often said, the political entity is vastly different from the past. Only when we have gone through this stage and maybe decades later, historians would be able to give some kind of objective assessments. Meanwhile, looking at the past twenty-six months after GE 2011, sentiments on the ground are not that optimistic. In fact, there are many who felt that it has been more of the same. For every step forward, inevitably there seems to be two steps backward. This pattern is so obvious that unless one's eyes are "stamp-pasted", it would be hard not to notice and feel it.
Another factor could be that other than the "poster boy" in the team, there seems to be nobody else that sentiments on the ground do not demonstrate much "non-likeability". It is hard, very hard for a team to do anything if public opinion or rather the ground sentiment is so hostile. Worst still when so called academics are called in to offer their views, either apathetic voters do not follow or citizens with interests in political development are likely to shun such commentators.
Frankly, in my circle, I do not know many people who are still buying the main stream papers to read other than for some periodical sales promotional advertisements on certain days. The rest of the paper are often given to market vegetables sellers to wrap their wares or given to garang guni man for subsequent recycling to toilet paper, card boxes and so on.
Other than the "poster boy" in the last batch having some good comments from people on the ground, the rest does not seem to have much "likeability" factor based on substantial ground sentiments. Having said that, from occasional news programme, the way some of them move around seems quite obvious they are not aware of their "standing" in the eyes of the ordinary folks. If ever a real survey is done, most of them are likely to be in for the "shock of their lives".
Unhealthy as it may be for Singapore short term interests, following the events of the last few years, to win the hearts and minds of the electorates, it seems the best strategy for the opposition is to do nothing. Do nothing? What do I mean by that?
The answer is very simple. Just wait for the opponents to shoot themselves in the foot for the next two to three years. How would that be possible? Empirically, from many observations, it would be out of the norm if the incumbent doesn't shoot their own feet regularly. It seems that its already imprinted in their DNA. Looking at the many "seeds of potential troubles" planted since 1990, it is only inevitable that going forward, there might not be much respite for them, even if try as hard they could. The end result might have already been decided before the battles even begin.
Somehow, members are seen to be too aloof, too "cosseted in ivory tower". Dependability factor is sorely lacking. To lead, one needs trust of its subjects. If many of the subjects view their "leaders" as trustworthy as "snake oil salesmen", even a miracle might not be able to turn the tide.
Thus, whether is it quantum or incremental change, I would rather think it is moot because fate of trust might already been sealed and waiting for the right time to come into being. As the Chinese saying goes, " In this world, there isn't any everlasting meal and gathering."
Though this probably is not what I hope and envisage for the situation to pan out, the momentum of happening might not be in favour of engagement and improvement. Perhaps, too much pent up sentiments have been building up among many people.
On the other hand, going by what a millenniums-old Chinese saying, "江山易改，本性难移". In English, literally it means "it is far easier to change a mountain than to change a person". In other words, hoping for "snobbish and aloof, arrogant, looking condescending down at the peasants through their nostrils attitudes big but probably empty headed" scholars to change might not be far from the saying in the above ancient Chinese adage.
As one blogger mentioned previously in one of his post's comment, " When mandate is over, mandate is over." Looking at the current scene and the supposedly "Tsunami type of tide", it is hard, very hard not to agree with what many have been voicing out. In my inner most thoughts, historically it is still less "traumatic" for society to "undergo change organically and internally". But just like thousands of years of ancient Chinese history has shown, when "heaven mandate is up", many things might happen beyond human control and events might take place one way or another to precipitate the eventual outcome.
The take of it is that inevitably, under such a happening, many common folks' needs and plights likely would be relegated to the back burner or not even featured in the "to-do-list". If history is anything to go by, sufferings and more miseries for poor ordinary people might be even more accentuated during such a time of change.
Try as much I could, even with the wildest hope, such historical tide often is proven unpreventable in the past. But history has often revealed that it would not come without huge cost exacted on the common folks, the poor and destitute, the old and disabled, the young ones, the women, the children etc. The only hope is that common sense would prevail and the ordinary folks would not have to suffer immeasurably when such a situation come to pass.
It is very sad to feel this way, especially less than 3 weeks away from our independence day. For me, I have never been interested in the opulence luxuries in life nor riches or power. Life is short. To walk such path is to subject oneself to many "wheels of motion" circumstances that would be unavoidable and inescapable. I have never imagined in my life time that I could likely experience such potential possible historical moments and change down the road. We only read of them in books when we are young. We can only imagine what earlier generations who had gone through some great historical change had felt and experienced.
Some final words.
Due to my educational experience or rather the secondary school, junior college and local U that I went to, I have some peers from my school time who are scholars in various departments, ministries and GLCs.
Just two real incidents to relate.
Back in 2005, can you imagine two supposedly privileged ex-classmates of my who have benefited from government scholarships and cushy positions in their jobs telling me almost exactly identical things.
Way back even in 2005, I happened to bump into them on different occasions.
They were of the opinion that again some huge bubbles were being inflated in our economy and once certain size reached, it may burst. So what are they going to do?
They have done the same like many. Knowing that property prices would likely shoot through the roof, they have invested "heavily". By now, I believe they have made a huge pile.
What else did they told me back then?
You probably would not believe your hears!
Not one but both told me exactly the same thing.
They do not think the situation is sustainable and they intend to pack up and emigrate once situation become untenable! Oh my!
With that and what I wrote above about the traumas our society and the lower income might be going through if our society currently and down the road have to undergo some painful and unnerving transition, I shall end with the following:
Truly, would such a fate befall on this generation?