When the PAP loses an election, it will be time to leave.

[Mockngbrd]

pls read it before jumping to conclusions on the title

 

http://flaneurose.blogspot.com/2011/03/whe...ll-be-time.html

 

Elections are around the corner. I have not posted anything on the upcoming elections. This isn't because I am politically apathetic. On the contrary, I am politically more aware than most Singaporeans.

 

The reason why I have not posted anything on the upcoming elections is because I do not think the result is in any doubt. The PAP will be returned to power again. The only thing in question is how big of a majority will they command. Will it be merely overwhelming, or ludicrously so?

 

And we all know why the PAP is so successful during elections. It has stacked the deck in its favor, shifted goalposts where necessary, subverted supposedly non-partisan organizations, co-opted potential opponents, passed legislation favorable to itself, leashed the media in its service and cultivated an environment where dissent is stifled for fear of reprisal.

 

You would think that a political party that is so proud of its policy successes (and that never fails to remind us about it!) would be more confident that it would be returned to power at each election on its own merits. Yet, it wheedles for every advantage it can get.

 

Is this not a sign of weakness? Or is it because the PAP genuinely believes that Singaporeans are too stupid to make the "obvious choice"?

 

This is not a rhetorical question. How one answers it is an indication of one's view of Singapore and Singaporeans.

 

With all of its political safeguards in place, it would be a miracle if the PAP is NOT returned to power.

 

Which brings me back to the title of this post, "When the PAP loses an election, it will be time to leave."

 

Living conditions in Singapore would have to deteriorate to an extremely serious state for the PAP to lose elections even with all of their incumbent's advantages.

 

Singapore will never reach such a parlous state, people scoff. We're not Egypt, Libya or Yemen.

 

Actually, one thing I do agree with our esteemed Minister Mentor is that Singapore, being small and vulnerable, does stand at the edge of disaster all the time. I disagree, however with the remedy.

 

Our political elite decided long ago that the best solution to the problem of "The little island that could" was to have a powerful government, ruled by the PAP that is for all intents and purposes, THE government. And this government, presumably staffed with the most talented people, would run the country in the best way possible. And politically, this government would be unfettered by irksome little opposition parties that in more democratic inefficient countries, would have to be dealt with, or heaven forbid, accommodated.

 

That model might have worked in earlier days. Perhaps it might even have been necessary during those uncertain times. But that model is showing its age, just as the ideas, attitudes and perspectives of the ruling party are looking stagnant, unresponsive, disconnected, and worst of all, dogmatic. Any criticism of current PAP government policy is treated as heresy.

 

A monolithic government such as ours can coast along for a long while without major problems. But a true crisis, a black swan, one that the PAP cannot handle, will lead to catastrophic failure. And without a robust framework in place for orderly transition and change of political leadership, Singapore would fail and fail irrecoverably.

 

Our politics are as impoverished as our most disadvantaged citizens.

 

The PAP government has conflated its existence and success with the existence and success of Singapore itself. No less than Ngiam Tong Dow stated, "I think our leaders have to accept that Singapore is larger than the PAP."

 

By so systematically dismantling and disempowering political opposition, the PAP is planting the seeds of its own destruction. If and when the PAP slips from power, there will be no second chances for it. No renewal for the PAP can come from a desert wasteland if Singapore fails irrecoverably.

 

In the past few years since the last election, many Singaporeans have wondered if our country has lost its way. It doesn't feel like home anymore. The government appears disconnected from the aspirations and needs of citizens.

 

If this is what the PAP calls success, I am not sure I would want to stick around to see what failure is like.

 

If a change in direction is needed in our policies, then it is best that the change be made as soon as possible.

 

But just as police states everywhere have a nasty habit of tightening controls just as the population gets restive, I have no doubt that the PAP will stack the deck even more heavily in its favor if ever in the future it is at even the slightest risk of losing power.

 

The PAP is so sure that its policies are the correct course of action that it would persist even in the face of severe opprobrium. The only concession made would be the occasional window-dressing that we are seeing now.

 

And if anyone believes that current immigration and economic policy is going to be reversed after the election, they will be severely disabused of this notion in a matter of months.

 

This is a government that has a hard time taking responsibility and criticism even for a minor flash flood, what more a true crisis that might be a result of its own doing, such as the demographic time bomb that continues to tick.

 

Tick-tock.

 

When you are in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging. The imperial nature of our government is not a sustainable state of affairs for any country, if only because men are proud and fallible. It is even less sustainable in a country like ours.

 

I can feel the hole becoming deeper.

 

I am less sanguine than our ministers who flippantly state that if the PAP were to lose its relevance, it will lose the mandate of the people and presumably gracefully step aside for a new party. Everything about the PAP shows that it would sooner change the rules of the game before that happens.

 

The question is, what will the PAP leave behind for a new government when it eventually does lose power, against all odds? A smoking ruin, or a shattered country?

 

When the PAP loses an election, it will be too late to leave. The time to leave would have been before.

[PaiKia-Lee]

Even without all the impressive opposite candidates this time round, I will still vote for the opposition. PAP has lost touch with the ground. Many of my friends and I are earning $8000 to $20000 a month and we still find Singapore too expensive to live in. FTs in Singapore are never talents, please. You and I know that.

 

Today I was shocked when SDP introduced two super heavyweight candidates. One of Goh Chok Tong Principle Private Sect in the 90s.. another is Ang Yong Guan.. local guys surely know who is the famous Col Ang. haha

 

PAP is screwed. I think the old man will have a heart attack when the results are announced.

[Windwaver]

I seriously don't think lightning club will lose. In fact, they have a good chance at getting 86 out of 87 seats this round unless Singaporeans really mean what they mean. If not, it'll just be the same 5 years historically.

[Pufferfish1]

i will vote for the underDOGS then a SNAKE

[Shull]

I seriously don't think lightning club will lose. In fact, they have a good chance at getting 86 out of 87 seats this round unless Singaporeans really mean what they mean. If not, it'll just be the same 5 years historically.

 

Same feeling too. It'll be good if the opp can win a GRC. What i'm watching for is the % votes garnered by opp. Especially when this year, the opp will be contesting almost all the seats up for grabs. The % will give a pretty accurate picture of ground sentiments. If they win >60% of popular vote, this might make them wake up too.

[Icedbs]

PAP is screwed. I think the old man will have a heart attack when the results are announced.

 

I have been hearing this each time a GE comes near for the last 20 years.

 

Then there were many fiery rallies from Opp. with record crowd each time. Every stadium the Opp goes to, it will surely packed more than a Pop star concert.

 

Opp fans will show pictures that the press wouldn't show.......thousands and thousands of people like little ants crowding the Opp. stage.

 

All the Opps fans will tell each other that this time, PAP is screwed. Surely this is it.

 

And each time for the last 20 years, PAP will return to power sweeping almost all the seats.

 

So guys, enjoy the excitement while you can, but don't put your hope too high.

 

It will be business as usual after May 7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RadX]

PAP is screwed. I think the old man will have a heart attack when the results are announced.

 

I have been hearing this each time a GE comes near for the last 20 years.

 

Then there were many fiery rallies from Opp. with record crowd each time. Every stadium the Opp goes to, it will surely packed more than a Pop star concert.

 

Opp fans will show pictures that the press wouldn't show.......thousands and thousands of people like little ants crowding the Opp. stage.

 

All the Opps fans will tell each other that this time, PAP is screwed. Surely this is it.

 

And each time for the last 20 years, PAP will return to power sweeping almost all the seats.

 

So guys, enjoy the excitement while you can, but don't put your hope too high.

 

It will be business as usual after May 7.

 

If u look at the recent trends

1. Japan2. UK3. Aus4. Egypt5. Malaysia

 

If it is anything to go by......

[Shull]

If u look at the recent trends

1. Japan2. UK3. Aus4. Egypt5. Malaysia

 

If it is anything to go by......

 

6. Tunisia

7. Ivory Coast

 

 

PEOPLE POWER!!!!!!!

[Happily1986]

PAP is screwed. I think the old man will have a heart attack when the results are announced.

 

I have been hearing this each time a GE comes near for the last 20 years.

 

Then there were many fiery rallies from Opp. with record crowd each time. Every stadium the Opp goes to, it will surely packed more than a Pop star concert.

 

Opp fans will show pictures that the press wouldn't show.......thousands and thousands of people like little ants crowding the Opp. stage.

 

All the Opps fans will tell each other that this time, PAP is screwed. Surely this is it.

 

And each time for the last 20 years, PAP will return to power sweeping almost all the seats.

 

So guys, enjoy the excitement while you can, but don't put your hope too high.

 

It will be business as usual after May 7.

 

that may be true my friend but you are poring over a trendline over a period not over 50 years. Look at similar developments in history, nothing last forever. It is just a matter of when the party ends.

[Icedbs]

6. Tunisia

7. Ivory Coast

 

 

PEOPLE POWER!!!!!!!

 

People power in Singapore??? You guys must be dreaming or something.

 

There is no such thing as people power in Singapore. The only power that the people has is the power over their own family and protecting their own self interest.

 

So in the end, yes, Opp voices are good, but please not in my backyard kind of mentality.

 

Sad but true.

Edited April 22, 2011 by Icedbs

[Icedbs]

that may be true my friend but you are poring over a trendline over a period not over 50 years. Look at similar developments in history, nothing last forever. It is just a matter of when the party ends.

 

All I know is that with property prices this high now, the party won't end now.

 

It will end only when the voters have nothing to lose with Opps in their ward.

 

Anyway, if Opps manage to get a GRC, then I think that is a big win already, but I am not seeing that possibility. I hope I am wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aiky76]

For now, I agree with you simply because incumbent has many levers and is experienced in title run-ins.

 

That said, the number of good candidates joining opposition suggests that they can smell the opportunity on the ground. To me, this is an indication that even if the tide does not turn in this GE, it portends a larger trend that will take couple more GEs to play out - i.e. narrowing the gap between ruling and oppo.

 

The negative online sentiment is another indicator of change but it only represents a small section of voters.

 

A lot will boil down to the "heartlanders" who had traditionally supported the incumbent party, and who do not air their views publicly. The silent majority. Which way will they turn? Which side can better persuade them?

 

OTOH, those who are better off (wealthier) and who tended to vote opposition in the past, may now sense the shifting mood and decide they are actually better off with status quo cos they are the ones who have benefitted the most.

 

My 2 cents.

 

[RadX]

speaking of which...how come NEH so paikia wan...everytime challen challen...he think gang fight ah

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1124270/1/.html

[Andrewl]

Dud CSJ challenge some people her say he hero...PAP say challenge some people here say paikia?

[Rockaphonics]

Challenge means gang fight and pai kia? LOL. As such a gentleman, i guess you never really challenged your own life much as it seems.

[1fast1]

speaking of which...how come NEH so paikia wan...everytime challen challen...he think gang fight ah

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1124270/1/.html

 

Looks like the sub-100 (post count *and* IQ) lapdoggies are out in FARCE today. Even picking on your jesting post.

 

And to paikia NEH, personally, I *want* an oppo that's fully capable of wielding power. I don't just want dissenting voices, or even votes. One party having such a stranglehold on the reigns of power for perpetuity is NOT healthy for us as a country.

 

I am actually confident that many amongst this current batch of oppo candidates are fully competent to lead Sg. Only problem is that many people (for whatever unfathomable reason) get cold feet (and shrunken balls) when they think about the P@Ppies losing power (like that's a bad thing or something) - so the oppo is forced to mouth the usual platitudes reassuring an insecure electorate.

 

I feel like telling these "cold feet" people - hello, fren. You wanna vote against "them" because of FT influx, no jobs, overpriced housing...(sorry, I meant to say "appreciating assets"), etc. and you think oppo being an "alternative voice" is enough? You think showing them "ground sentiments" with a reduced margin is enough? No man, even if the margin of victory is 51%, the MIW will still retain power and you'll still have all those problems. You want to have any hope of addressing those issues, vote them out of power, and see what the alternative gahmen can deliver. This is no time for half-measures. Don't worry - if we make a mistake, we can always vote the "new" oppo (the MIW will then be oppo) back in next time. Why scared?

Edited April 22, 2011 by Turboflat4

[Shull]

I notice MIW has been firing alot of rounds at the opp lately, instead of the other way round.. Are they feeling scared now? GCT did say the ground is not so sweet liao..

[RadX]

I notice MIW has been firing alot of rounds at the opp lately, instead of the other way round.. Are they feeling scared now? GCT did say the ground is not so sweet liao..

 

Yup...and there seems to be opposing views from wihtin the stronghold