tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post2826433901678081670..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: Heads I Win, Tails You LoseGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-79515828613394242882007-04-14T23:39:00.000+08:002007-04-14T23:39:00.000+08:00"CORRECT ME IF I THOUGHT ON THE ABOVE ARE WRONG" Y..."CORRECT ME IF I THOUGHT ON THE ABOVE ARE WRONG" You are likely spot on that Ministers are envying MPs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-13920910551328837752007-04-13T12:08:00.000+08:002007-04-13T12:08:00.000+08:00It is a sad day for Singapore!They forgot "more mo...It is a sad day for Singapore!<BR/><BR/>They forgot "more money in one's packets does not make a character stronger..."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-21675317405542096312007-04-10T20:50:00.000+08:002007-04-10T20:50:00.000+08:00Anonymous April 10, 2007 3:20 PM The pay increase ...Anonymous April 10, 2007 3:20 PM <BR/><BR/>The pay increase applies to ministers as well as MPs, so it does not really serve the purpose you have highlighted.<BR/><BR/>The reason given by LHL is that their salaries have lagged behind those in the private sector, not that they earned less than MPs.<BR/><BR/>In any case, ministers are not necessarily restricted by the fact that cannot hold Directorships because their are many perks and other benefits that they get in addition to the basic salary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-62560887705384524872007-04-10T15:20:00.000+08:002007-04-10T15:20:00.000+08:00I may be wrong but i think the logic for the pay r...I may be wrong but i think the logic for the pay rise is partly driven by the fact that the government want to ensure ministers will always earn more than any MPs in order to attract capable MPs to leave their high payig jobs and to take on the full-time minister's post if they are being called upon...<BR/><BR/>I think as a MP, they are being paid only ALLOWANCE, NOT SALARY! Hence, they are able to continue with their high paying jobs and seat on various company board as director etc..Hence, their take home pay = MP's allowance + Salary of their jobs + Director fees etc etc <BR/><BR/>As a minister, i think they have to give up their high paying jobs and can't seat on any board as directors etc etc..Hence, their only take home pay = 'minister's pay'<BR/><BR/>As a result, a minister may end up earning less than what's a MP can earn!<BR/><BR/>CORRECT ME IF I THOUGHT ON THE ABOVE ARE WRONG!<BR/><BR/>Well does that provide a better reason and justification for the pay rise to the ministers??<BR/><BR/>Of course, it does not mean that i am supporting of the pay rise too..!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-17838613487072402292007-04-08T00:38:00.000+08:002007-04-08T00:38:00.000+08:00I think the ministers should peg their salary incr...I think the ministers should peg their salary increase to the performance of Singapore economy. It's only fair that their pay correspond with the growth of the country. So if the economy do well like 8-9%, then they can get 8-9% increase and if the economy don't do well, then they get lesser. It's more reflective of the work that they do to improve singapore's economy and global standing. Salary increase should be incremental instead of a large and nearly 100% jump.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-11784420268084959992007-04-06T14:19:00.000+08:002007-04-06T14:19:00.000+08:00moomooman said: "And if you are not one of those b...<I>moomooman said: "And if you are not one of those beneficiaries. For example.. if your income dip in the last 2 years ... that explain why we are here complaining about the minister's pay rise. </I><BR/><BR/>No, when some people earn enough and money isn't a problem to them, they begin to yearn for something more self-actualising. Unfortunately, some people just won't. <BR/><BR/>Warren Buffett pledged $37bn to charity; at 84, MM Lee is still talking about raking in millions--get the picture now?<BR/><BR/><I>anon wrote: "It is incredible to find the extend of mediocracy continued beyond the classrooms in such a self possessed society.Ican never conceive the creative dispossession to reinvent an order of natural debilitation. However, the profusion of diabolical regression shall retain a dominant preposterousness that would inevitably corroborate a cognoscenti infection of grandeur misapprehension you think? "</I><BR/><BR/>Oh my... stay off the mushrooms, dear. ;-)simplesandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09835110235511998612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-21076976440812744862007-04-06T04:40:00.000+08:002007-04-06T04:40:00.000+08:00Unlike the laymen, the gahmen and ministers never ...Unlike the laymen, the gahmen and ministers never ever face competition from globalizaton, FT and sort like that. And that's why they are pampered into thinking they are very important and indispensable to Singapore. They are a league in their own because no one come even closer to them as they are the only party ruling, only person benchmarking ? Benchmarking ? Against who. Well against top earner in country. But how about their work ? As comparable to a office cleaner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-16984763187108001562007-04-06T01:42:00.000+08:002007-04-06T01:42:00.000+08:00Fret not fellow Singaporeans! This land we love wi...Fret not fellow Singaporeans! This land we love will always be ours regardless whoever runs it> Unless nature takes it away or one chooses to run onto an oncoming MRT Train< we will survive! If Singapore does have Supreme Talents and Great Benevolent calibres< they should consider helping Timor Leste< Sri Lanka and other countries to make them safe and prosper> Once those countries are helped< I am sure they will reciprocate to ensure our prosperity> Our supreme talents will also prove themselves and remain in world history for a long long time> It is a globalised world and our leaders should venture beyond our shore to lead us into globalisation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-41976836620687551672007-04-05T19:32:00.000+08:002007-04-05T19:32:00.000+08:00Anonymous April 5, 2007 10:24 AM Agree, the money-...Anonymous April 5, 2007 10:24 AM <BR/><BR/>Agree, the money-minded leaders should ask what they and potential leaders can do for the country instead of what the country can do for them :D<BR/><BR/>Maybe then, we can have real progress.<BR/><BR/>We can learn alot from the Koreans too, how to have the "jeong" spirit. People gave up their prized possessions voluntarily for the good of their country during the 1997 financial crisis. That will only happen if we stop thinking of only what we can get and if he leaders are worthy of our trust and support.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-33189965161250277862007-04-05T14:47:00.000+08:002007-04-05T14:47:00.000+08:00"Actually I don't see why is this such a big issue..."Actually I don't see why is this such a big issue..."<BR/><BR/>Of course not. You're a fucking PAP plant. You're blind to the outcry of the nation.<BR/><BR/>"<BR/>Do you seriously want somebody who is prepared to work free to run the country? Or do you want someone earning 300k to 500k to run the country? Like perhaps George Bush.<BR/><BR/>I can tell you there are many people out there who earn 300k to 500k and given their current pay, they wouldn't want to run the country. They would tell you it's not worth the work."<BR/><BR/>Then they should not run the country. Your use of "run the country" also reveals your bigoted, narrow-minded concept of democracy. You think government is all about "RUNNING the country". What happened to representative government? Why can't the citizens run their own country?<BR/><BR/>Because the upper class PAP plants like you fear the masses, that's why.<BR/><BR/>"Do you seriously want somebody who is prepared to work free to run the country?"<BR/><BR/>You chee bai leh. You're using a loaded question here. Logical fallacy++<BR/><BR/>I don't want a select oligarchy to run the country. I want representatve government. Do shut up.<BR/><BR/>Please tell me what's so special about Lee Hsien Loong that I should give him millions of dollars every year when he has done NOTHING to address the needs of the people.<BR/><BR/>I am aware ministers hold some important critical function, but I have yet to see the results of whatever they are doing. Do you know why? I cannot give the government the benefit of the doubt. It's because the government lacks TRANSPARENCY. I don't know what the hell they're doing in Parliament. The newspaper doesn't report it. The Parliament could pass laws stripping us of our civil rights and perhaps it gets updated to Singapore Statutes Online but it wouldn't be shown in the paper. I have no idea what the hell our ministers are doing or what possible worth they could have to the country, so yes, I question their salary.le radical galoisienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14684821442296479803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-81684225861058482842007-04-05T14:36:00.000+08:002007-04-05T14:36:00.000+08:00Oops, I forgot to sign off my sister's account fir...Oops, I forgot to sign off my sister's account first. Blogger is annoying.le radical galoisienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14684821442296479803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-11107946561804523032007-04-05T14:33:00.000+08:002007-04-05T14:33:00.000+08:00Anon @ April 2, 2007 11:45 PM:You are such a fucki...Anon @ April 2, 2007 11:45 PM:<BR/><BR/>You are such a fucking obvious PAP plant. Why don't you guys adopt a real identity for once.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15677377217109320235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-23297297553144280072007-04-05T14:01:00.000+08:002007-04-05T14:01:00.000+08:00True, if ministers' pay don't go up, the private s...True, if ministers' pay don't go up, the private sector should not expect imminent 'benefit' from their entry. <BR/><BR/>Also true, even if S'pore became a liberal democracy, those who want to migrate will migrate cos to them a good country is run by white people, never mind that their opinions will matter as little over there as back here.<BR/><BR/>The point ? Be up-front about your intentions and real beliefs if you want others to be up-front about theirs. <BR/><BR/>On rhe issue at hand, it's not really about how much ministers get paid as what the heck they do after getting that pay. Pay them more for the same old 'can't be helped' explanation for falling or stagnating incomes, sinkie employment prospects as you age and up-no-down costs ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-53887757980230192222007-04-05T10:24:00.000+08:002007-04-05T10:24:00.000+08:00Ask not what the country can do for you, but what ...Ask not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for the countryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-32136017104448846892007-04-05T10:15:00.000+08:002007-04-05T10:15:00.000+08:00Anonymous April 5, 2007 1:51 AM said...> It is inc...Anonymous April 5, 2007 1:51 AM said...<BR/><BR/>> It is incredible to find the extend of mediocracy continued beyond the classrooms in such a self possessed society.Ican never conceive the creative dispossession to reinvent an order of natural debilitation. However, the profusion of diabolical regression shall retain a dominant preposterousness that would inevitably corroborate a cognoscenti infection of grandeur misapprehension you think? <<BR/>_____________<BR/><BR/>Wha-huh?<BR/><BR/>What jabberwocky and twaddle!<BR/><BR/>I am desiccated with mortification. <BR/><BR/>This extemporaneous verbiage has all the tarradiddle and blatherskite of an antediluvian troglodyte.<BR/><BR/>So there! <BR/><BR/>TCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-86492499896679087652007-04-05T09:29:00.000+08:002007-04-05T09:29:00.000+08:00There is no debateThe decision's been madeYou can ...There is no debate<BR/>The decision's been made<BR/><BR/>You can go on and on<BR/>Rant and rave if you may<BR/>Does it matter<BR/>What you say<BR/>For another four year<BR/>I do what I may<BR/><BR/>A semblance of democracy<BR/>Therein lies the irony<BR/>When what also matters<BR/>Is Show me the money!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-54068843443540385542007-04-05T01:51:00.000+08:002007-04-05T01:51:00.000+08:00It is incredible to find the extend of mediocracy ...It is incredible to find the extend of mediocracy continued beyond the classrooms in such a self possessed society.Ican never conceive the creative dispossession to reinvent an order of natural debilitation. However, the profusion of diabolical regression shall retain a dominant preposterousness that would inevitably corroborate a cognoscenti infection of grandeur misapprehension you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-57588050975197130312007-04-05T00:05:00.000+08:002007-04-05T00:05:00.000+08:00Woohoo! Civility indeed! Some people are losing th...Woohoo! Civility indeed! Some people are losing their cool and calling others green-eyed whining monsters. And issuing the usual why do you DIY challenge. How to DIY when they keep clinging on and refuse to let go? <BR/><BR/>Now I know why the grassroots civil servants have to submit set quotas of suggestions to the management every year. Because somewhere up there, they have run outta juice.<BR/><BR/>Lemonade anyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-59012320451499310112007-04-05T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-05T00:00:00.000+08:00consider this: what if we reject 'unreasonable wea...consider this: what if we reject 'unreasonable wealth' - which obviously benefit a selected few - and opt for 'reasonable wealth', hopefully, enjoyed by many instead?<BR/><BR/>what if more are saying, i want a balance; i don't want to scale mountainous heights; compete to our deaths so a privilege few will get to indulge and reign at the top nor do we want to be at the other extreme bottom of the valley feeding on rich man's crumbs or be at their mercy? <BR/><BR/>what if more reject the concept of 'talents' created to enrich a few and would rather prefer a more equal recognition to talents accorded as a single complete entity?<BR/><BR/>so wealth yes - who doesn't want to be 'wealthy' - but without a clear definition of the kind of wealth we are pursuing, we maybe building on the wrong foundation. however, if the wealth generated comes from the richness of the soul, this kind of wealth maybe more sustainable and equitable. unfortunately, we may have created wealth out of the poverty of the soul and exalted the numbers beyond a point that do not add substantive value to our existence?<BR/><BR/>latching on to an unrealistic asperation maybe more 'good years' for some but certainly, not for many on the bitter receiving end of remuneration?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-37637286952207209322007-04-04T23:38:00.000+08:002007-04-04T23:38:00.000+08:00I think many of us are beneficiaries of our govern...I think many of us are beneficiaries of our government.<BR/><BR/>When you earn your what you are earning now, it's the indirect result of our government initiatives. <BR/><BR/>For example. I would think Mr Wang is earning big bucks for what he is doing. The reason why he is able to do what he is doing, is because of liberal policies and favourable banking acts that attract these banks to set up their base in Singapore. This create jobs and demand outstrip supply. Mr Wang lands a high paying job. He invest his surplus into shares perhaps, this send the STI to record high. Other retail investors benefits. He perhaps invest in a property. This creates income to agents and lawyers and banks. These institution in turn hire more people to work.<BR/><BR/>And if you are not one of those beneficiaries. For example.. if your income dip in the last 2 years ... that explain why we are here complaining about the minister's pay rise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-11056838616043776002007-04-04T19:48:00.000+08:002007-04-04T19:48:00.000+08:00someone once suggests to peg part of ministers' pa...someone once suggests to peg part of ministers' pay to the bottom 20% of Singaporeans. Perhaps it is time to reconsider this option.<BR/><BR/>Also, wonder how many of the top earners in Singapore are Singaporeans? Should non-Singaporeans be filtered off the list?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-36954779085910718902007-04-04T15:02:00.000+08:002007-04-04T15:02:00.000+08:00When Ministers last said they were awared of the W...When Ministers last said they were awared of the Wealth Divide and its ramification< were they sincere when they said they will look into the Disparity? As I see it< ministers are mired more in their own incomes than concerns for their citizens> The GOVERNMENT needs to be reminded that it is causing the rises in costs of living and NOT market forces that caused them> In fact an open market tends to lower costs of most products and produces due to competitions> On the one hand IT(THE GOVERNMENT) causes hardships and on another hand THE MINISTERS WANT TO BE REWARDED FOR THEIR WORKS> I implore the Ministers to conscientiously ask themselves whether they have fulfilled their duties to the citizens?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-80752295747556011702007-04-04T14:56:00.000+08:002007-04-04T14:56:00.000+08:00"PAP. Just peg your minister's pay to the top 10 b...<I>"PAP. Just peg your minister's pay to the top 10 best paid leaders in the world and the people will happily accept it."</I><BR/><BR/>Haha, nice try! Vote to REDUCE their income? Yeah, right. P i g s . w i l l . f l y.<BR/><BR/>* G_E slides glass of "complain juice" over to Anonymouse... *<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, grinning insincerely over in the blue corner:<BR/><BR/><I>Labour chief Mr Lim Swee Say is confident that more Singaporeans "will come to accept and realise" that the move is <B>for their benefit</B></I>. [TODAY 2-4-07]<BR/><BR/>So said Mr Lim, who is also the <B>Minister</B> in the Prime Minister's Office, explaining to workers the rationale behind the imminent pay hikes for <B>ministers</B>.<BR/><BR/>Now, what is it about the phrase "for their benefit" that you don't understand? It's a <I>fait accompli</I> folks, just like the casinos and GST hike, it's a decision made long ago in heaven. So what if you don't like it right now? Not a damn thing you can do about it so don't come crying to us about YOUR problems, just go suck on a lemon or something. All that remains is to get the shouting over and done with early in the term and in 5 years time 66.6% will have forgotten what the fuss was all about anyway, just as they've always done. And if they haven't, why, that's nothing that a couple of billion in upgrading and S'pore shares won't fix, right?<BR/><BR/>Cynical but pragmatic. Buying the loyalty of minions always works for how many would refuse a huge jump in pay on the grounds of conscience, eh? In 5 years, top dogs will pocket the thick end of 6-12 million dollars, lesser dogs at least half-a-million, so what's not to like?<BR/><BR/>Yep, you lazy, complain-juice-drinking, no-account, talentless bozos, it's all just bleedin' sour grapes. So STFU and get your freakin' shoulder back behind the wheel, you idle good-for-nothings. It's for YOUR own benefit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-40761503354948086822007-04-04T12:45:00.000+08:002007-04-04T12:45:00.000+08:00PAP. Just peg your minister's pay to the top 10 be...PAP. Just peg your minister's pay to the top 10 best paid leaders in the world and the people will happily accept it. <BR/><BR/>The top 10 best paid politicians in the world!!! How is it so difficult for you to accept this!!! <BR/><BR/>I'm sure our hawker centre cleaners would be more than happy to be paid according to the top ten best paid cleaners in the world. And accordingly our clerks, our security guards, our soldiers, our bus drivers, etc. <BR/><BR/>Come to think of it, every worker/employee/citizen in S'pore would be very happy if their salaries are peg to the world's top 10 of their respective profession!!!<BR/><BR/>WHY CAN'T YOU!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-48645753797007783072007-04-04T09:27:00.000+08:002007-04-04T09:27:00.000+08:00http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/03/28/pap-and-the...http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/03/28/pap-and-the-people-a-return-of-disaffection-revisited/#more-266<BR/><BR/><BR/>Re - read<BR/><BR/>"The third outcome — and the most disheartening — is the bewilderment and disenchantment of the small pool of dedicated Singaporean volunteers in charity and community work, which will result in the pool becoming even smaller, firstly because these volunteers will now see very little in the way of inspiring example and secondly because they are unlikely to be replaced by a younger generation brought up on the raw economic imperative."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com