National Solidarity Party, 27 Nov 2008
Over the past one and the half years, since the last elections, life in our little red dot of a country has been anything but generally one of stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Our cost-of-living shot up to 7.5% in May, the highest in 26 years. Thanks to the PAP Government for leading the way by thrusting up the GST rate by a massive 40% which netted an extra $990 million, virtually immediately after their “resounding” victory at the polls. They were also smart enough to raise their own remunerations, not much later, by another massive 15% - 20%, to help cushion the impact of the anticipated rising costs.
Then came the explanations for their inconsiderate actions, followed by attempts to pacify the bewildered populace. The blame was conveniently cast on factors beyond their control –- of course -- namely the sub-prime crisis in the West and the blooming price of fuel oil. One smart aleck of a minister even suggested that the poor could substitute rice with tapioca or sweet potato! Harvard-trained scholars groomed in posh, aircon ivory towers can be pretty ignorant of wet market prices at the ground. Both tapioca and sweet potatoes are often more expensive than rice. Some simple checks with hawkers, before blaring and blasting, could save loads of embarrassment.
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