There was a time when what the PAP government ordered it was indubitably carried out by the people. No one spoke back and those daring few who did, were manifestly told to shape up or ship out. They did and settled someplace else driven to be concubines. Why? At home they were wives but they were battered wives without any recourse. They quit because the PAP government made them quit.
The Prime Minister's rally speech was inscrutably out of touch with the people. For those that have followed PM Goh's speeches would notice one significant aspect, this was a defensive Prime Minister suffering the burden of carrying the hopes of a 75% majority who has overseen some painful measures for the people over the last few months.
The part of staying and quitting was so badly presented that PM Goh's speech writer should be severely castigated. Why do some people stay and some quit? That the Prime Minister did not even attempt to answer for part of the problem is the PAP's disregard for fair democratic practice.
Too much pragmatism has killed the people's conviction and focus of building a nation with key democratic tenets. Democracy has become a pussillanimous word in our pledge and a fading star in our flag with the PAP eminently claiming that the PAP interpretation of democracy is the one that works. Like socialism that works, the PAP servants have profusely spread the wrongful notion that it is a model country where "democracy" works.
In this democracy, PM Goh stated that he would fight for the people who cannot leave this country. Is that an admission that if people could run away, they would. It cannot be a real democracy if people are going to run away if they had the chance.
Prime Minister Goh must build core democratic values that hold the nation and country together. The Prime Minister used the example of the US for foreign talent why then not use the example of democracy which brought that country together after the September 11 attacks. It was the concepts of freedom and fairness that brought the American people together. With all due respect Prime Minister, Singaporeans are not kindergarten pupils. If a great country like the US needs foreign talent and if Singapore should follow it, then we also should follow the US respect for democratic practice.
If the PAP is serious of remaking Singapore then the PAP must undertake to respect democracy. Wanton construction of election boundaries, constantly changing the goalposts for opposition parties and restricting fair debate in the mass media should cease.
These things may keep the PAP in absolute power but it certainly tells some people that they do not have a stake in this country because they disagree with the PAP. The PAP should quit obstructing the democratic wave and maybe that is the way for people to really stay. Look at yourself PAP and quit the anti-democratic position. If you stay your ground more talented Singaporeans will quit.
