Politically apathetic no more…
Five years ago, when the elections took place, I voted for the first time. I was 21 years...
Politically apathetic no more…
Five years ago, when the elections took place, I voted for the first time. I was 21 years old. But at the time, it meant nothing to me, I was just voting for the sake of. What difference was it going to make anyway? It was practically a walkover – PAP was definitely going to win. I was just going with the motions. I was politically apathetic, completely.
I come from an upper middle class background, live with my family in a semi-detached landed property in Siglap. I’ve been fortunate enough not to have to worry about making ends meet on a day-to-day basis. Things have been relatively easy for me most of my life, all I had to worry about was getting the best grades I could in school and landing myself a job at a prestigious company. So I didn’t give two hoots about what the government policies were, what kind of upgrading programmes were taking place, the kind of taxes I had to pay. I never really had to worry about any of it. Hence the apathy.
Then came the elections this year. If you had asked me about them a month ago, I’d have thought the same way I did five years ago. Even though now I’m working at an excellent company, supporting myself financially (well, more or less – living expenses aside, coz I still live with my family), and am a tax-paying citizen. I was even considering not voting (I know that’s illegal now), but I didn’t feel like it was going to make a difference anyway.
The nominations for the parties rolled around – there was lots of buzz in the media about Nicole Seah and Tin Pei Ling, the two new young faces in politics. I still didn’t really pay much attention, I just got my information from Twitter posts, my Facebook news feed, and random lunchtime conversations with my colleagues and friends.
Then the rallying period started and I attended my first rally ever – the PAP rally at Bedok Stadium. It was my dad’s idea to go. I was a bit put off to be honest, because they were not speaking in English about 80% of the time I was there. I know the rationale for that – to connect with people who are more comfortable in their mother tongues. But that aside, a lot of what was being talked about didn’t concern me – things like Lift Upgrading Programmes, more benches at public parks and stuff like that.
I wasn’t too impressed, but it did spark my interest enough to decide that I needed to do my research and make an informed decision before May 7 came around. I went back and started watching some rally speeches, especially those by the Worker’s Party, since I am in the Joo Chiat constituency, which is being contest by WP and PAP. And it is through some basic research, lots of conversations with other people in my age group, as well as some heated discussion with my parents, that I express the views that I am about to.
There is absolutely NO denying that PAP has done an excellent job with Singapore all these years. I absolutely love Singapore – besides the awesome food, the things about Singapore I am sooo grateful for are:
(1) Safety: I love the fact that it is so safe that I can take a cab home at 3am and not worry about being mugged or raped.
(2) Education: I love the fact that we have a world class education system that sets us in great stead in comparison to a lot of other countries in the world. Spending some time overseas on exchange made me realize that we are well ahead of our counterparts in many other countries academically, and we have the local education system to thank for that.
(3) Public Transport System: No matter how much I complain about the trains and buses being toooooo crowded and taxis and their surcharges just getting ridiculously expensive, I know that the system we have here is leaps and bounds ahead of what it is in many countries. Our trains, train stations, buses, bus stations – they’re all so well maintained and run like clockwork.
And the list goes on. What I’m saying is, PAP has done a fantastic job. They’ve brought us from a developing, third world country to a developed, first world nation. They have put us on the map, a little red dot, which wasn’t there before.
So why not just vote for PAP then? They’re doing a good job and will probably keep doing so. Well, I am of the firm belief that there’s always room for improvement. We can’t afford to rest on our laurels and see how that works out for us. We need to be constantly evolving and adapting our laws and policies to match what is happening in the world today.
And that’s not saying that PAP is slacking off. They are moving with the times. We are a lot more open and transparent now than we were some years ago. The fact that we have embraced the internet and not blocked out all political mentions online throughout the elections is one clear sign of that.
On the other hand, let’s take a look at the opposition. They’re younger, less qualified than their PAP counterparts by-and-large, and have no track record whatsoever. Well there is Hougang – but running one constituency cannot be compared to running an entire nation. They are two different ball games altogether.
Nonetheless, I do really enjoy listening to their rallies – I feel like I relate to them much more than I do to the PAP rallies. The speakers are closer to my age, as compared to the older ministers in PAP who are mostly from my dad’s generation. They talk about issues that concern me. So it is very easy and tempting for me to get swayed.
But I am not young and stupid. I know that that is not reason enough to vote for the opposition. I will not be swayed by fancy words and empty promises.
Then why even consider voting for the opposition?
Because, like I said, there is always room for improvement. The one key thing I feel the PAP can do better is to communicate with my generation. Yes, I recognize that we are not the critical audience at this time, because it is mass votes that all the parties need, so they focus on where the numbers are – which is my dad’s generation.
But in a few years’ time, it is going to be us making up the bulk of the workforce. We are going to be the ones running the country. Do you not think it is worth making the effort to connect with us now, rather than when it’s too late?
What are we concerned with? Achieving what our parents did. It is so expensive to afford a house in Singapore. Average 35 year olds or 30-year old couples have to scrimp and save to afford the hefty down-payment, then pay through their noses every month just to put a roof over their heads. Cars are not even conceivable at that age, because there are so many more immediate concerns to deal with. Why do you think couples are getting married later and having kids later, or just not having them at all? Because it is just so expensive to be able to afford a decent life for a couple here, let alone a family.
I’m not saying that by voting in the opposition, these concerns will definitely we solved. And I’m not saying either that given time, PAP will address these issues too. All I’m saying is, maybe it is worth having some younger, fresher voices represent us, to provide a different perspective.
To end off, I still have not decided which box I am going to cross when I vote tomorrow. But I’m hoping that this day of thinking and more reading will help me reach that decision.
My Week in Pictures: 19 – 25 Feb 2011
Picture of the Day 19Mar11 - home sweet home. Love landing at Changi airport 
Picture of the Day 20Mar11 - discovering how Adidas micoach can help me stick 2 a workout plan n track my progress
Picture of the Day 21Mar11 - yummy late night snacks that are sooooo bad for my waistline n thighs
Picture of the Day 22Mar11 - getting a much needed, long overdue pedicure. So therapeutic
Picture of the Day 23Mar11 - woke up to the sight of a beautiful rainbow this morning!
Picture of the Day 24Mar11 - sis getting surprised for her 21st birthday at midnight
Picture of the Day 25Mar11 - all the unhealthy food in the world with char, ren and wani
My Week in Pictures: 12 – 18 Mar 2011
Picture of the Day 12Mar11 - chocolatta caldo (hot choc) at e train station in Milan, while waiting for a train to Rome
Picture of the Day 13Mar11 - at Piazza de Spagna (the Spanish steps) in Rome... Beautiful huh?
Picture of the Day 14Mar11 - at Franchi, a gourmet grocer, to pick up some Parma ham n buratta cheese for home
Picture of the Day 15Mar11 - just got to the gorgeous Venice!! It looks even better in real life than in pictures and movies...
Picture of the Day 16Mar11 - happy 21st birthday my darling sister. We're celebrating in Venice, lucky you
Picture of the Day 17Mar11 - the sun finally shined on Venice, on our last day there...
Picture of the Day 18Mar11 - our final day in Milan, the picture says it all..
My Week in Pictures: 5 – 11 Mar 2011
http://mysightbytes.com/2011/03/27/my-week-in-pictures-26-feb-4-mar-2011/
Picture of the Day 6Mar11 - Love In at Hong Lim Park: Peace, Love, Music
Picture of the Day 7Mar11 - my favorite-est midnight snack, esp for late work nights...
Picture of the Day 8Mar11 - Met advertising guru Piyush Pandey today
Picture of the Day 9Mar11 - reminiscing Spain with sangria n tapas!!
Picture of the Day 10Mar11 - less than 48 hours from now, I'll be in Italy! Forced myself to sit down n plan e trip out
Picture of the Day 11Mar11 - farewell drinks with the girls at Wine Connection...
My Week in Pictures: 26 Feb – 4 Mar 2011
Picture of the Day 26Feb11 - brunch at Spruce with the girls! Followed by an afternoon of shopping...
Picture of the Day 27Feb11 - our pretty picture wall needs some updating though...
Picture of the Day 28Feb11 - Confusion. My current state of mind. Last thing I expected to go into March feeling
Picture of the Day 1Mar11 - a glass of wine n dinner before we get back to work 
Picture of the Day 2Mar11 - counting on P.S. I Love You (the book) to keep me awake through the night...
Picture of the Day 3Mar11 - shopping for a holiday... Where should I go?
Picture of the Day 4Mar11 -- drinks with my new team. The first of many to come...
My Week in Pictures: 19 – 25 Feb 2011
Picture of the Day 19Feb11 - tandem biking at the beach - it's wayy harder than it looks
Picture of the Day 20Feb11 - playing around with cool picture editing apps on my iPhone
Picture of the Day 21Feb11 - bagful of "goodies" from the doc...
Picture of the Day 22Feb11 - In dire need of something sweet to cheer me up...
Picture of the Day 23Feb11 - lychee martinis n chicken wings at no. 5 emerald hill with Em
Picture of the Day 24Feb11 - lunch at PS Cafe - miso cod
Picture of the Day 25Feb11 - the gorgeous view from Orgo at the Esplanade
My Week in Pictures: 12 – 18 Feb 2011
Picture of the Day 12Feb11 - Making parathas at the gurudwara - happens just once a year
Picture of the Day 13Feb11 - brunch with the girls at Graze on a lovely Sunday afternoon
Picture of the Day 14Feb11 - the office is devoid of people at 8pm coz it's Valentines day n everyone's out
Picture of the Day 15Feb11 - getting ready for a swim
Picture of the Day 16Feb11 - did I ever mention how much I love dark chocolate?
Picture of the Day 17Feb11 - Evan winning over hearts in the office
Picture of the Day 18Feb11 - Rob Schneider in Singapore! He imitates accents so well! Animals too, for that matter
My Week in Pictures: 5 – 11 Feb 2011
Picture of the Day 5Feb11 - my first attempt at baking a key lime cheesecake. Hope it tastes better than it looks
Picture of the Day 6Feb11 - view from equinox while at brunch with the girls
Picture of the Day 7Feb11 - at the temple with the folks
Picture of the Day 8Feb11 - Mansi, giving me her 'you're so strange' face while sipping delicious kashmiri tea
Picture of the Day 9Feb11 - my sister and I when we were kids. I look like a monster!
Picture of the Day 10Feb11 - nicely settled in bed with the TV on, willing myself to get up n go for a run...
Picture of the Day 11Feb11 - Reebonz mail makes for a very happy Friday!!
My Week in Pictures: 19 – 25 Feb 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 12 – 18 Mar 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 5 – 11 Mar 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 26 Feb – 4 Mar 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 19 – 25 Feb 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 12 – 18 Feb 2011
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My Week in Pictures: 5 – 11 Feb 2011
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