The Singapore parliament new session is going to reopen soon and some of the wordings in the President speech caught my attention and reminded myself about an incident in my MRT ride recently. Firstly here are the extracts:
“ As it goes about these plans, Dr Tan said, the Government will pay special attention to the vulnerable, especially the elderly and low-wage workers. But he cautioned that even as the Government spends more on social programmes, the spending must be sustainable. Government spending itself will not create a wealthier or happier society, he added as he called on individuals and the community to pitch in to build a home where we feel a sense of responsibility for one another, and not just a sense of entitlement to the benefits of citizenship”.
While I was riding home in the MRT, I overhead the conversion of the 2 wheelchairs bound persons (I empathized their conditions but I am also glad to see them able to go about independently and participate in the daily life). For the ease of storytelling, I shall name one person as “C” because he was behaving a bit “cranky” and another person as “M” as she was quitter and mellow.
C : “our neighboring countries leaders gave land to people like us, so that we can make use of the land for our own livelihood and no need to come out to look for work”
M: “Singapore is so small and land is expensive, how to give you land?”
C: “That is why I said the Government does not take care of people like us”
It was a short silent moment and thereafter “C” start again with different topic:
C: “You have gotten the Concession Card for the train ride already?”
M: “Yes I got”
C: “There are store values in the card?”
M:”Yes I think it is $30 or something like that lah”
C:”What is the point! They gave you one month free but for the next 11 month you still got to pay and that was how they take the money back from you”
By that time “M” needed to get off the train and it was also reaching my drop off point.
That short conversation set me to think; what will happen when the privilege of getting some welfare assistance (be it financially or any other form of helps) became the entitlement?
How will the country continue to get the funding to pay for the “entitlement” ?
I hope I will not burden my next generations with high taxes in order to enjoy the welfare and I think everyone should strive hard to be self-reliance.
I am also fully aware that, there bound to have some people might fell through the gap in life and some form of social support and assistance were needed to tie them through the low point of life.
To those who have achieved some success in life should take active role to help out the less fortunate, so that we can continue to live in the better social environment.
Towards our financially savvy journey.
Wei Teck – Property Coach
May 2014
Email: proplaunchsg@gmail.com
www.proplaunchsg.com
www.blissfulproperty.com
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