THINK SINGAPOREANS FIRST sent on 05 Dec 2006

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Shanthi R.
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-----Original Message-----From: Nick Pedro [mailto:nickpdr@yahoo.com.sg]
Sent: 05 December 2006 12:52
To: NEWSSubject: VOICES

To The Editor, TODAY

VOICES

It is about time that we think Singaporeans first. There is always the element of patriotism in Singaporeans. There are several issues arising from employing foreigners. The end results most of those who have been given citizenship can easily return to their countries once again. We need to give Singaporeans key posts. For example in our soccer, hockey and table tennis teams although. we have foreigners, we never did make a huge difference. Even if we win it is not of level ground. I would rather that we lose as Singaporeans and be proud that we tried our best. We need to expend these monies in sports for worthwhile use, which makes sense, for Singaporeans.
There are families here that could not afford to bring their children to cinemas, Underwater World, Cable Car rides, Night Safari, etc, because they are too expensive. Why is there a need to enjoy these places when you cannot afford it? One feels marginalized when their children could not afford to go to such places while working and slogging for thirty, forty years as Singaporeans. Should all households at least own a car? So that they can bring their children for picnics and to places that they have never been before due to any transportation unavailable to these places. There are many who have never actually traveled all over Singapore . The lower income families can by second hand cars that are three or five years old for very low prices and tax, instead of exporting them overseas. I feel that the old and young and handicapped must not be forgotten when the government plans the handouts to be given to cushion increases in price when GST is risen. The best would be not to penalize Singaporeans who own bigger flats. Everyone loves to see their children enjoy the spacious luxury of our homes for children to move about and have their own rooms. Everyone also wishes to come have a large living room to relax, after a day’s work. This is basically the reason why we work to own a home, have food and live comfortably. I hope one day the HDB architects would introduce more toilets/bathrooms into the flats so everyone can enjoy without rush a warm bath, in a large or an extended family. There should be more open spaces and fields for children to run about, for soccer players to kick about and old folks to enjoy the flora and fauna. We are living in a “closely knitted” environment. I believe we have the space. However, we need It is a Singaporean’s dream. That should take the present government many more years into running our country.
It would be therefore be appropriate if the government work on a per head basis in a family household than on 3, 4 or 5 rooms’ flats, in order to distribute part of the revenue from the increase. Many a time families with large number of children, parent as a sole bread winner, families with extended families are disadvantaged by this policy. In some case those owners of 3 rooms’ flat owns a car and a private apartment, with both husband and wife working with a monthly combine salary of eight thousand compared to a 5 room owner, whose salary is two thousand a month. Whose wife is unemployed and are with four children and it would not be a fair yardstick to who are the needy. There are it needed to be fair, in terms of how much expenses a family has and at the same time pro family.

Regards