tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post500947238922165465..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: $330, One Youth and a MinisterGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-1894491324947078952009-03-10T15:50:00.000+08:002009-03-10T15:50:00.000+08:00One reason is that in 2007, the government raised ...One reason is that in 2007, the government raised taxes (GST)essentially for the entire population, saying that one of the key uses for the money was to provide more social support for the poor. <BR/><BR/>There is a general feeling that this never really happened. The government raised the taxes and ... That was that.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-56314513203508673792009-03-10T15:42:00.000+08:002009-03-10T15:42:00.000+08:00I'm an American who was very impressed with the co...I'm an American who was very impressed with the combination of kindness and efficiency that I experienced on my visit to Singapore. It really seemed to me like your country was doing an incredible balancing act, and succeeding where so many other societies are failing. One of the successes you should be proud of as a nation is a welfare system that doesn't reward social pathology. Of course $330/mo is not enough to cover all expenses but you have subsidized medical care, transportation, education, and housin. Any Singaporean has had a lifetime of all those of other subsidies to help them save for bad times, and I think you really have to ask why people find themselves in poverty and whether more government help can fix things. It's not like the only possible choices here are 1) ignore the poor person 2) government entitlements. There is personal charity, church charity, and other organized private charity. <BR/><BR/>Maybe there is something I am not understanding here, because I don't understand your country. Why is the Singaporean reaction to poverty "the government should pay more" and not "we should organize private relief?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-19287872079499973642009-03-04T12:44:00.000+08:002009-03-04T12:44:00.000+08:00Hmmm.. After reading the whole speech, I am actual...Hmmm.. After reading the whole speech, I am actually in two minds about this.<BR/><BR/>VB does make some good points in his speech but so does a lot of the comments here.<BR/><BR/>So for you guys, what amount is the right amount? I am sure all of us agree that if we were to provide too much, then it would cause Singaporeans who are close to poverty to declare poverty or "become poor" to gain these benefits.<BR/><BR/>So if $330 is not enough, how much is? $500, $1000?<BR/><BR/>Someone mentioned that this amount is more of to survive rather than to live. I agree totally on that point but I also feel that I guess the aim is to ensure that there is food on the table and the basic necessities are met while they pursue their means of income.<BR/><BR/>But for the ederly, I am all for them to receive the aid they need since they would not have the necessary tools to continue generating income. But for the poor who are stil capable of generating income, I feel we should not be overboard in our help lest it will instill a laid back and wait for help attitude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-85889670715749770592009-03-01T01:59:00.000+08:002009-03-01T01:59:00.000+08:00Could this be the reason why some people set fire ...Could this be the reason why some people set fire to their MP?Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-58482495788212506402009-02-25T23:19:00.000+08:002009-02-25T23:19:00.000+08:00leaving on just $330 in a single month in this eve...leaving on just $330 in a single month in this ever inflating economy??? you must be kidding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61153801318761891012009-02-20T17:05:00.000+08:002009-02-20T17:05:00.000+08:00sometimes i really wonder why not more Singaporean...sometimes i really wonder why not more Singaporeans are upset when our government says things like "more than 330 $ a month worth of PA will cause an erosion of the work ethic". This is really insulting frankly. that paying 331 dollars a month to someone will make that person unwilling to work and want to relax at home.ILMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03862779921501673375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-39638437421692807982009-02-15T13:01:00.000+08:002009-02-15T13:01:00.000+08:00I just don't understand what's the big deal with t...I just don't understand what's the big deal with taking care of our elderly? Don't they understand this strikes at the heart of our conscience? If all else fails to convince them, let's just say in terms of nation building with soft power, they are way behind the curve. To imagine having to justify STRENOUSLY why we cannot help more is only a damning indictment of our education and value system.<BR/><BR/>They should not underestimate how wrong they are on this count!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-11451807647648099822009-02-14T19:06:00.000+08:002009-02-14T19:06:00.000+08:00EastoperAs we have been moving away from a previou...Eastoper<BR/><BR/>As we have been moving away from a previous heavier corporate tax regime to a more heavier consumption tax regime which will cover all who spend, which group will be hit hardest ? Needless, the lower or no income groups. <BR/><BR/>The argument for and against welfare is academic. The ground reality which may result in unpredictable social implications may render any superior argument useless.<BR/><BR/>Why the many rescue plans that are currently taking place in a lot of places in the world, lest you are telling us that they are not 'welfare' plans in the strict sense as they involve institutions and happen to come by some other name, JCS in our case.<BR/><BR/>It is common knowledge that foreign lower-skilled and semi-skilled workers are pretty much encouraged to set foot here so as encourage "competition". <BR/><BR/>Don't you think our own citizen workers of the lower income groups are being displaced and they have a higher cost structure to meet given a more long term stringent housing, CPF obligations, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-5192020343998714552009-02-13T20:16:00.000+08:002009-02-13T20:16:00.000+08:00I have always felt that the crutch mentality was d...I have always felt that the crutch mentality was deeply ingrained into our system.<BR/><BR/>We have scholars who received free education and a hefty stipend; all without even providing a service in return. Come rain or shine, they receive a fat paycheck even for incompetence.<BR/> If that isn't a crutch, what is?<BR/><BR/> We have a government who is reluctant to help the needy, but is generous when it comes to bailing out failed banks in the name of bargain-hunting, which turns out eventually to be a huge fiasco.<BR/> If that isn't a crutch to failing banks and their moronic executives, what is?<BR/><BR/> We have politicians who can remain in office and receive million dollar salaries year after year despite embarrassing fiascos. Any lesser mortal would have been fired for less mistakes.<BR/> If that isn't a crutch, what is?<BR/><BR/> We have Ministers without Portfolios, a Senior Minister and a Minister Mentor, all of whom collect million dollar salaries each year from tax-payers' money.<BR/>Does a PM need that many million-dollar ministers in his ministry? Two deputies are not enough?<BR/>If that isn't a crutch, what is?<BR/><BR/> We have Perm Secs who can go on five weeks leave in a single go, and his ministry can continue run as though he never existed. So, why do we need such a Perm Sec then?<BR/> If that isn't a crutch, then what is?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-72984476035262136882009-02-13T08:14:00.000+08:002009-02-13T08:14:00.000+08:00Hi Mr WangOn the topic on compassion ... no rebutt...Hi Mr Wang<BR/><BR/>On the topic on compassion ... no rebuttal from you to the <A HREF="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_amkacIIwAFE/SZKdsGCePaI/AAAAAAAABNo/KMalAbz54_Q/s1600-h/nursinghome.jpg" REL="nofollow">critics</A> of the zen mini-star?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-3116479794331652802009-02-12T21:19:00.000+08:002009-02-12T21:19:00.000+08:00I read VB speech, paragraph 22, it says total rece...I read VB speech, paragraph 22, it says total receivable for 1 elderly is $450 per month and 1 mother with 2 kids is $1280 per month.<BR/><BR/>Are we arguing how much Public Assistance should give or should we look at the combination of the $ gifts and decide if this is sufficient, regardless where the money comes from?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-22938060907468131002009-02-12T20:02:00.000+08:002009-02-12T20:02:00.000+08:00Because they never earn tax from the $330 what! If...Because they never earn tax from the $330 what! If they can charge GST, ERP, simidunnowattax on the $330, then got economic value loh.<BR/><BR/>Eh wait wait, the water, electricity, food all got GST!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-3549546538522478152009-02-12T20:00:00.000+08:002009-02-12T20:00:00.000+08:00Macdonalds meal is 5+. Hawker 1 plate of rice+2dis...Macdonalds meal is 5+. Hawker 1 plate of rice+2dishes = $2, plus 1 drink = $1.20. Total = $3.20.<BR/><BR/>Not very far off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-75684368644966242352009-02-12T18:40:00.000+08:002009-02-12T18:40:00.000+08:00definitely. And you also give her free food and lo...definitely. And you also give her free food and lodging.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-73567702105482996582009-02-12T17:18:00.000+08:002009-02-12T17:18:00.000+08:00My domestic maid gets paid more...My domestic maid gets paid more...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-58879511721531041342009-02-12T11:27:00.000+08:002009-02-12T11:27:00.000+08:00Anon Feb 11 12:21The cnn journalist's experience o...Anon Feb 11 12:21<BR/><BR/>The cnn journalist's experience only focuses on food.<BR/><BR/>It is possible to live on $330 a month. <B>If you don't count rent, utilities, transportation, and medical co-pays that is.</B> If I am not wrong, a person on this Social Assistance Scheme would barely have $100 for food after paying off their other necessities. I would not call that "living". It's more like "surviving".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-30662665497645141592009-02-12T03:26:00.000+08:002009-02-12T03:26:00.000+08:00Yeah sure. Our big mac costs more but has less mea...Yeah sure. Our big mac costs more but has less meatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-10449649474642723102009-02-11T15:34:00.000+08:002009-02-11T15:34:00.000+08:00Perhaps he was trying to apply some theory derived...Perhaps he was trying to apply some theory derived from the Big Mac Index in economics.<BR/><BR/>What, you never heard of it? ;)<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.economist.com/markets/bigmac/about.cfm" REL="nofollow">Big Mac Index</A>Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-19434217218391272662009-02-11T14:59:00.000+08:002009-02-11T14:59:00.000+08:00I read the article too. While I do agree with Davi...I read the article too. While I do agree with David to a certain extent (I mean, $330 is a little on the low side), but his example of how a "a meal at McDonald’s is well over $5" is strange. Surely we agree that McDonald's isnt really a "staple" food. It costs double (almost triple now) that of a "normal" hawker centre food.<BR/><BR/>While he started out with good intentions, he might have checked the amount of subsistence the elderly and poor can obtain from other social work agencies!<BR/><BR/>My two-cents anyhow. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07326055954753378117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-78613440658353909022009-02-11T12:21:00.000+08:002009-02-11T12:21:00.000+08:00Anon 10 Feb 2pm's suggestion for a reporter to try...Anon 10 Feb 2pm's suggestion for a reporter to try living on $330 and writing about it is interesting. How about getting bloggers to give this a go and write about their experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-66367971081764489622009-02-11T05:58:00.000+08:002009-02-11T05:58:00.000+08:00If the disadvantaged in Singapore can really get t...If the disadvantaged in Singapore can really get the help they need, Seng Han Thong won't be torched. Period.<BR/><BR/>We have many assistance programmes put in place but I doubt if they are sincere. More a political show to convince naive singaporeans that there is a safety net for us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-74752198771390087322009-02-10T23:01:00.000+08:002009-02-10T23:01:00.000+08:00"Dr Vivian also suggested that if we give more tha..."Dr Vivian also suggested that if we give more than $330, we might end up destroying Singaporeans' foundation of success by "eroding their work ethic and self-reliance".<BR/><BR/>First the gahment erodes filial piety and social ideology by coming down hard on Chinese culture and language (tsk tsk I am not referring to the present valorization of all things Chinese but those who know their history would know what I mean);<BR/><BR/>Then the gahment emphasizes the small sized nuclear social unit which effectively undercuts the ideals of the extended family;<BR/><BR/>Further the gahment says learn from the west and ignore the values of the East (again let's not dig too deeply into history shall we in case we unearth too many skeletons).<BR/><BR/>Now the gahment says we may erode work ethic and reliance. The End of History, Singapore style?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-83260539387774232312009-02-10T22:12:00.000+08:002009-02-10T22:12:00.000+08:00Hi EaststopperSure there are many schemes availabl...Hi Eaststopper<BR/><BR/>Sure there are many schemes available but strangely<BR/>underutilized. Seems like needy singaporeans prefer to starve and deprive their children of a future.<BR/><BR/>yeah rite.<BR/><BR/>I think it is very unfortunate that things like switching your body (ala Gurmit Singh and Fann Wong in that Jack Neo movie) with a poor singaporean only happens in movies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-67113470348911783152009-02-10T22:11:00.000+08:002009-02-10T22:11:00.000+08:00Eaststopper, please assist by informing our minist...Eaststopper, please assist by informing our minister to publish some statistics on the actual cost. Maybe a breakdown of how much was spent on the different schemes and the number of people who are benefitting from all of them. David took the initiative to do a survey. Surely our minister has no problems gathering some figures in response to an enthusiatic young boy's query.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-73575275964372014302009-02-10T19:52:00.000+08:002009-02-10T19:52:00.000+08:00'99.94% of Singaporeans do not get any such assist...'99.94% of Singaporeans do not get any such assistance.'<BR/><BR/>If I understand correctly, there are other schemes in place to aid the needy. The Public Assistance Scheme is just one of them.<BR/><BR/>http://www.centralsingaporecdc.org.sg/1162809844283/socialservices.htmlEaststopperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903639886157996151noreply@blogger.com