The theme for Singapore's 39th National Day
"A PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY"
Just what is outgoing PM Goh talking about?
Just what is the defination of "a progressive society"?
In my travels and observations,
perhaps I can volunteer an answer.
Progressive societies tend to embrace
broad and liberal mindedness
and tolerance.
Progressive societies tend to favour
civil liberties and social progress.
Progressive societies tend to be ahead
of trends and norms without discarding
cultural identities and values.
Are we broad and liberal minded?
Tow the official PAP line,
or you get squashed.
PM Goh promised a "consultative government".
He had 14 years to create one,
but he got bribed into shutting up,
with his million dollar salary.
He said last year,
he felt our pain.
But proceeded with CPF cuts
while still pays himself S$6000
a day.
Do we have civil liberties?
We do not have the freedom of speech
nor right to assemble.
Political debates were stifled
with huge defamation suits.
A progressive society recognises
that defamation is an integral part
of political debate
and therefore lawsuits
are capped.
John Kerry and George Bush
would be suing each other's pants off
if they were living in Singapore.
They defammed,
and let the people decide.
That is a progressive society.
Here, the government thinks
and talks,
on the people's behalf,
except that it's the peoples' voices
that were never heard,
just the Ruling Elite.
The newspapers and TV,
remained
the government's propaganda machine.
They never reported,
that here in sunny Singapore,
we have the highest elderly suicide rate
in the WORLD.
Some progressive society.
A progressive society is gracious,
ours is harsh and mean.
The highest execution rate per capita
in the WORLD.
Detention without trial,
a blantant disregard for
United Nations Human Rights Declaration.
Our people are generally
rude and obnoxious.
No room at all
for dissent
of any form.
Democracy will be chaotic
and destablise
our multi-racial society
they say.
Like as though,
by giving people
a voice,
would turn them into
wild lunatics.
6 people protested
the Iraqi War
outside the US Embassy,
got arrested.
Whilst millions round the globe
marched their demonstrations
in London, New York, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney.
Are we ahead of trends and norms?
In being ahead,
one have to challenge current norms.
In order to challenge,
one have to be creative.
Creativity flourishes best
in a democratic environment.
Where you dare
to be different.
We've been bludgeoned
into following our leaders
with blind faith.
It has been set
into our psyche.
And when we have no creativity,
they bring in the foreign talent.
They tell us,
our unemployment rate
remains at 4.5%.
Pick any 10 of your old classmates,
and you'd find unemployment rate
closer to 10% -20%
Most have given up,
finding a job.
Talk to any random group of Singaporens
in their late 20s to 40s.
You'd find a generation of people,
who worked their lives,
in chase of the Singaporean dream,
only to be disillusioned
and disenfranchised
with our system
and society.
Ironically,
its the younger ones,
fresh out of school
or working just a few years,
that actually think,
they're really lucky
to be born Singaporean.
No other place on Earth,
can you find this phenomenon,
of docile youth
and angry middle aged.
Such is the complete efficiency
of this brain laundry.
When I hear little children
recite the National Pledge,
"to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality"
I laugh,
we have all been
short changed.
And it hurts,
only when I laugh.
