Part 1: Political Change In Singapore - A Monumental Tussle
Part 2: Political Change In Singapore - Incremental or Quantum?
Human nature is such that given the choice, people generally would go for the softer option than some heavy lifting. Current long term priorities may be looking at our national problems together and coming as one to solve them. Nonetheless, the possibility of that happening might be as high as the chances of striking the top price in the upcoming estimated $5 million jackpot National Day Toto Draw on 2 Aug 2013.
1) Current economic numbers though not worth much trumpeting are still manageable. However, down the road in the foreseeable future, can such unflattering numbers even be maintained or at least marginally improved on?
2) The not so long term reality is that the low TFR in the past 20 years would very soon dawn upon our nation. Supplementing the short fall with immigration is at best a not so close substitute. The low birth rate problem still has to be tackled head on. Going forward, the social, economic and political implications of such a situation are going to be magnified and becoming worst each passing year unless the TFR trend offers some rays of hope of a sustainable reversal.
3) Though there may not be any official data, there seems to be a noticeable trend of “作一天和尚，敲一天钟” pervasive attitude seeping through some segments of our society especially in the teaching profession. Teachers are generally those who constitute some form of bearing on how the young would see and view our society and the world at large. Such "unhealthy" trend if it exists should have the source and root causes quickly identified and corrected. Otherwise, this is very likely to create another sets of problems very soon in the near future and long run.
4) The rapid polarisation of our society along political affinity seems to be picking up speed than abating. Something quick may have to be done to stop or prevent this trend from worsening. It may have to start right from the top and from within. It has to be sincere and genuine measures or at least to be seen in that light. Letting things continue their current trend is akin to a capitulation to the problems. Procrastination or turning deaf ears or blind eyes to the problems certainly would make many things far worst.
5) Currently, we may have already turned into a 3-headed political being nationally. Ideally, the future outcome could be more of the current government running the show but with more check and balance voices. On the other hand, a acceptable and stable threshold level for both sides may not even been defined, agreed upon or identified.
6) Elevated property and car prices still remain top national concern in terms of both the economic and social consequences. With such high prices, chances of marriage and parenthood being put off or push back generally would be quite high. Indecisiveness in these aspects now would likely cost us very dearly down the road as the past two decades have shown.
There are many more aspects not exactly moving in the right directions but better left unsaid. Corrective measures should be enacted upon as soon as possible. Such problems often requires long period of time for policy measures to take effect. Thus, the sooner corrective policies are put in place, the better the chances of having a shot at the problems.
Likely, the tone and measures of policies to be announced over the next few weeks and months to confront our national challenges would likely offer a glimpse into the government approach to solving the problems. In that, conviction, confidence, firm but conciliatory rapprochement stance, multi-prong and concerted measures could be the keys.
PSS
*The writer blogs at http://pro-sustainable-sg.blogspot.sg