tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post837680418384884253..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: The Problem With Error MessagesGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-20456649827765080632008-03-07T00:59:00.000+08:002008-03-07T00:59:00.000+08:00In all honesty, whats the point of attacking PAP y...In all honesty, whats the point of attacking PAP year in and year out, when nothing's going to change. Our government is competent because it can effectively capture the votes of the rich AND the poor. Did i say the wrong thing by mentioning the "poor"? No, because year in and year out, the few hundred dollars they give out always keeps them happy. The media always reports in favor of the government, so if you're a cleaner earning $1200 and your television tells you your local minister keeps telling you that its a global trend, not their fault,and has done a lot to help you, that extra 400 dollars GST package simply buys them over. oh please, whichever politician is reading this, please don't sue me. You can always sue me for defamation too, since you hold all the information, whatever i say will always be defamatory because i can never dig up all that information you withhold to back me up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-15681291337379405972007-05-20T20:10:00.000+08:002007-05-20T20:10:00.000+08:00been missing out on your blogs as my notebook was ...been missing out on your blogs as my notebook was down.<BR/><BR/>this is an interesting blog, something that strikes a chord with every Singaporean worker.<BR/><BR/>As much as I hate the govt's importing of 'talent' to beef up the workforce, I tend to think that it seems the most logical solution.<BR/><BR/>I agree with your point that the situation today is a result of birth control decisions made back then. However, leaving a population to rely heavily on the next generation for a comfortable life is not exactly the best thing to do.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, it makes perfect sense for a developing nation to control its population <BR/><BR/>-The country's resources does not drain exponentially<BR/><BR/>- resources can be focused on improving first hunger then quality of life<BR/><BR/>- The result? the nation progresses and prospers and the people are happy.<BR/><BR/>We can see that despite numerous historical examples in developed nations, illustrating that birth control policies tend to lead to an ageing population later on, developing nations still choose to proceed in this direction. <BR/><BR/>In fact, China is at this stage right now.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps no one has found a better solution to this problem.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Coming back to the aftermath, the population declines. <BR/><BR/>Govt policies are to blame for the sudden drop in population but so is EDUCATION<BR/><BR/>The educated person knows that to ensure a comfortable life for his/her family, one cannot afford to have too many children. Or in some cases, preferably none at all.<BR/><BR/>In fact, if Singapore had progressed at a pace where birth control policies had not interfered in its course, say, if only education was imparted to the population, I think that we will still arrive at this junction, but maybe later.<BR/><BR/>Looking from the govt's perspective, it seems the most logical way to solve a series of impending problems.<BR/><BR/>- by importing foreigners and offering them PR or citizenship, they settle and bring in their children, their families. This solves the immediate human resource issue and paves way for the long term as well.<BR/><BR/>- growing the population to a self-sustainable size. Should exports dwindle as we become more expensive/less competitive due to uncontrollable factors at least there is still demand from within.<BR/><BR/>Other solutions? devaluation of currency? - that's out of the question. <BR/><BR/>Develop industries that are not labour-intensive? - i think they are doing that right now by growing the financial and arts sector.. Tourism is in the pipeline<BR/><BR/>Where they are coming from, it's apparent that the government is not taking chances to see if the coaxing of Singaporeans to make babies will take effect eventually as they understand that there are other factors at play too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-32417518345685539822007-05-11T10:48:00.000+08:002007-05-11T10:48:00.000+08:00Ya, but read properly.He said not to include SPRs ...Ya, but read properly.<BR/><BR/>He said not to include SPRs in GNP. You got check the gahmen site got add SPR or not?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-35395913239170167062007-05-09T11:17:00.000+08:002007-05-09T11:17:00.000+08:00You should try harder to understand.GNI = GNPCan s...You should try harder to understand.<BR/><BR/>GNI = GNP<BR/><BR/>Can see this site too: http://www.finfacts.com/biz10/globalworldincomepercapita.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-89673965722682823902007-05-09T11:15:00.000+08:002007-05-09T11:15:00.000+08:00GNI = GNP.You can check this site too: http://www....GNI = GNP.<BR/><BR/>You can check this site too: http://www.finfacts.com/biz10/globalworldincomepercapita.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-69700728781098439132007-05-08T09:31:00.000+08:002007-05-08T09:31:00.000+08:00http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/economy.html#g...<I>http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/economy.html#gdp</I><BR/><BR/>And it's all GDP!<BR/>Where's the GNP data? And pls do NOT include SPRs in the GNP calculation.<BR/><BR/>Did the papers not report that the mid and low income groups suffered pay loses? So did GNP go up or down, given it's a measure of CITIZEN income?<BR/><BR/>You just don't get it do you?<BR/><BR/>Try harder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-1901909093591434212007-05-06T00:40:00.000+08:002007-05-06T00:40:00.000+08:00Why increase the population number? All I know is ...Why increase the population number? All I know is when I play my Romance of the 3 Kingdom, I need to secure land with more people so that I can collect more tax. In the present context, income tax, GST, other taxes and of course health care. Health care can suck alot of money. :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-86310354816753464112007-05-04T15:39:00.000+08:002007-05-04T15:39:00.000+08:00"The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smalle...<I>"The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smaller than its GDP."<BR/><BR/>Prove it.</I><BR/><BR/>Just go and google. http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/economy.html#gdp<BR/><BR/>In fact, this is a basic knowledge about Singapore's economy.<BR/><BR/>Sorry if I am not clear. When I say 'international norm', I mean nowadays it is more common to use GDP to measure the size of an economy, rather than GNP. <BR/><BR/>Nothing about ministers' pays.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-91072439424385619442007-05-04T14:12:00.000+08:002007-05-04T14:12:00.000+08:00However, the international norm appears to be usin...<I>However, the international norm appears to be using GDP rather than GNP nowadays.</I><BR/><BR/>Singapore Minister pay is not international norm mah.<BR/><BR/>No other country in the world is so unique like Singapore got almost no agriculture mah.<BR/><BR/>Minister say Singapore's media is for Singapore's unique circumstances also mah.<BR/><BR/>Where you get the "international norm" statement? Heh prove pls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-38849362436965846392007-05-04T14:09:00.000+08:002007-05-04T14:09:00.000+08:00"The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smalle..."<I>The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smaller than its GDP.</I>"<BR/><BR/>Prove it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-1277458742986753802007-05-03T18:56:00.000+08:002007-05-03T18:56:00.000+08:00The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smaller...The GNP of Singapore is only very slightly smaller than its GDP. In fact, that the gap is so small can be seen as another achievement -- i.e. that we have indeed grown an external wing.<BR/><BR/>In contrast, some high-growth economy like Ireland has GDP that is 20% higher. <BR/><BR/>However, the international norm appears to be using GDP rather than GNP nowadays.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61611193922172444522007-05-03T11:43:00.000+08:002007-05-03T11:43:00.000+08:00GDP-GNP, try this argument:http://lemondroplets.sp...GDP-GNP, try this argument:<BR/><BR/>http://lemondroplets.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!26F399664A850E81!592.entry<BR/><BR/>I quote Minister Teo Chee Hean in the need to "compare apples to apples" in the Ministerial salary debate. Currently, the Minister's salary is pegged to the top earners in Singapore, while their bonus is pegged to the GDP of Singapore.<BR/> <BR/>GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the value of goods and service produced within an inanimate geographical boundary does not sit well with the pegged to real life persons of the Ministers' salaries. Moreover, Singapore has an extremely small agriculture and natural produce base to significantly justify the use of GDP in calculating the value-add of the Ministers' work.<BR/> <BR/>We should peg the Ministers' bonus to the Gross National Product (GNP), which measures the income of all Singaporeans. This will ensure that the denominator of real persons' incomes for both the salary and bonus of the Ministers are common. Minister Mentor has on many occasions impressed on everyone, that Singapore sole most valuable resource is our people. The peg to GNP will validate this fact. <BR/> <BR/>Making Singaporean's income the performance indicator of our public office holders will assure all Singaporeans that Mr Maliki's "by the people, for the people" Government interview given to an Indonesian reporter earlier is, beyond doubt. This also sends an affirmative signal that the public office holders are not in only for the money, but are keen to serve the nation through the key responsibility of increasing Singaporeans' annual value.<BR/> <BR/>It will also put to rest the debate that Government favours foreigners over Singaporeans in their policy making.<BR/> <BR/>I believe Prime Minister Lee, who has proven the these points correct by donating his increment for the next 5 years, is the best attestment for the implementation of this peg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-47227773144675769562007-05-03T08:03:00.000+08:002007-05-03T08:03:00.000+08:00Let's go back to the original blog. Mr Wang's vie...Let's go back to the original blog. Mr Wang's view point is that the arguement of solving lowering birth rates is to increase immigration into Singapore.<BR/><BR/>If you look at the issue from the view point of running a company, this is the most logical solution. What I can't do efficiently I outsource. Problems arising from past decision can be resolve with short term patch work.<BR/><BR/>The purpose of a company is to take the money of investors and generate profits on their investments.<BR/><BR/>From this view point, if Singaporeans invest in the current government in terms of money (taxes), it should gain from these investments as the goernment generate profits. Question is, are we? Given the measurement for ROI ought to be say 10% year-on-year, are Singaporeans getting such returns? Personally I don't think so.<BR/><BR/>If so, how on earth can the government justify their pay increase? There is no logical way to tie their performance to the growth in Singaporeans' wealth. And it is not GDP. The closest thing would be GNP.Meng Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041318597462076922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61721118008730726922007-05-03T00:58:00.000+08:002007-05-03T00:58:00.000+08:00'When you have them by the balls, their hearts and...<I>'When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.'</I><BR/><BR/>Like that not head and not heart wat, coz the orientation to the uppities and not to the people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-8217941438985889202007-05-03T00:18:00.000+08:002007-05-03T00:18:00.000+08:00The message is loud and clear this Labour Day Work...The message is loud and clear this Labour Day< Work till you drop man and woman! My understanding of the message is that retirement is no more henceforth> Working hard has always being the characteristic of Singaporeans or rather typical of them since their forefathers migrated here. Many enjoyed family joys though living was hard, today what joy does one get from anything? Many slog whole life to get peanuts while some are paid millions per year! If one did not die of poverty, one may die of envy and misery. I would sincerely urge Singaporeans to seriously understand the May Day Messages carefully and make good ones' own future> Listen to others but decide for yourself as you should know by now how much help one gets from those who run your life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-45682233664317514092007-05-02T22:24:00.000+08:002007-05-02T22:24:00.000+08:00Anonymous on April 30, 2007 2:39 PM said... ((((Ha...Anonymous on April 30, 2007 2:39 PM said... <BR/>((((Hallo. If not for them, do u think u hav the LIFE and chance now to login to ur blog and write all these? Terrible.))))<BR/><BR/>Hallo! What makes you Mr Wang, or any one of us, wouldnt be having "the LIFE and chance" that he and others like him now have??? What makes you think we wouldnt be having an EVEN beter life? Perhaps, you are so lacking in your own ability that only someone like you would need to depend on the govt for YOUR life. Our govt has this habit of putting down America; LKY himself once said "I admire America from afar, but not otherwise". Inspite of their supposedly inferior govt, there are more billioniare-millionaires than anywhere else on earth. And they dont even have to bend over backwards to attract foreign talent! Hallo! Your crutch is the PAP gahmen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-28963654913413406572007-05-02T22:23:00.000+08:002007-05-02T22:23:00.000+08:00I came across this article on GDP and was really s...I came across this article on GDP and was really struck by the implications of using GDP as a KPI.<BR/><BR/>Take a read and make your own conclusions on how it should be used as a key performance indicator for the powers above.<BR/><BR/>From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gdp<BR/><BR/>The limits of GDP (or GNP, a slightly different notion) can be summed up in the words of two critics. Robert Kennedy said[1]:<BR/><BR/> The gross national product includes air pollution and advertising for cigarettes and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and jails for the people who break them. GNP includes the destruction of the redwoods and the death of Lake Superior. It grows with the production of napalm, and missiles and nuclear warheads... it does not allow for the health of our families, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It is indifferent to the decency of our factories and the safety of our streets alike. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, or the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-63269760336598351322007-05-02T21:06:00.000+08:002007-05-02T21:06:00.000+08:00As a father to 3 sons - I too want my sons to beli...As a father to 3 sons - I too want my sons to believe in the Singapore system. To love the govt, and to know that the ministers have the well being of her people. Soon, I am not sure when, I will ne to start tearing down this illusion I had, this illusion that Singapore is safe, and their cares and concerns are taken care of. Sad - but soon, I will have to tell them that Santa does not really exist - that what Yue Fei had on his back (filial to country or something) was just a legend. That hurts me - but it has gotta be done - soon. well, unless the minister tell me MM Lee was a goondu and they have decided the Ministers pay rise was a bad idea and yes, they do it cos they love the country - not the money. Jeeze - I mean - create your own pay check? I think we should hammer home this point at every national day....family manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15947152469230212562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-22035575677533762312007-05-02T20:32:00.000+08:002007-05-02T20:32:00.000+08:00Like that how to have 'both head and heart'?Not to...<I>Like that how to have 'both head and heart'?</I><BR/><BR/>Not to worry.<BR/><BR/>'When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-48301666282736020332007-05-02T17:36:00.000+08:002007-05-02T17:36:00.000+08:00Mr Wang, so many things are distorted already in t...Mr Wang, so many things are distorted already in the papers. As discussed earlier, the opening up of accepting doctor degrees (mbbs) from overseas. It's obviously a planning error by the MOH, resulting in many bright young singaporeans (including GCT's daughter I heard) having to go overseas or give up their dreams of being a doctor.<BR/><BR/>Then LTA and their COE fracas. Now cutting back, due to forecasting error.<BR/><BR/>Makes you wonder how many forecasting errors are in the system at the moment. Top talents yes?<BR/><BR/>Let's just migrate lah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-68606734209409264742007-05-02T17:27:00.001+08:002007-05-02T17:27:00.001+08:00simplesandra:Like that how to have 'both head and ...simplesandra:<BR/><BR/>Like that how to have 'both head and heart'?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-28875217166144998542007-05-02T17:27:00.000+08:002007-05-02T17:27:00.000+08:00"As the PM has said, the minister's bonus is dues ..."As the PM has said, the minister's bonus is dues in a large part to the amount of GNP produced year by year."<BR/><BR/>GDP. They based it on GDP, not GNP. They will cry if they base their bonus on GNP, coz Singaporeans' worth have and will continue to shrink.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-5254972144129562782007-05-02T17:03:00.000+08:002007-05-02T17:03:00.000+08:00still loving gertrude: "I wish EOC et. al. would b...<I>still loving gertrude: "I wish EOC et. al. would be more discerning and critical in their thinking... Than sprout nonsense like lemmings."</I><BR/><BR/>The YPAP doesn't always pick its people for their political awareness and social astuteness. A conversation with some of them will reveal that they're more interested in business talk. :-)simplesandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09835110235511998612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-20336284014383885192007-05-02T17:00:00.000+08:002007-05-02T17:00:00.000+08:00“The great masses of the people will more easily f...“The great masses of the people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one.” <BR/><BR/>"If you keep on telling the same lies,you will end up believing it yourself."<BR/><BR/>“How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-47846927568356949032007-05-02T14:31:00.000+08:002007-05-02T14:31:00.000+08:00Thanks Mr Wang for your blog. In my opinion you br...Thanks Mr Wang for your blog. In my opinion you bring an impartial view to the social and political issues in Singapore, inviting the reader to form his own opinions.<BR/><BR/>I have pointed several friends to your blog too.<BR/><BR/>This is what having proper sociopolitical discourse is all about!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com