Blank Doll seats down to write.

You know, it's really funny how so many youth identify the opposition with greater political freedom and a further narrowing in the schism between liberal democracy and the democracy that we have. If you pause and think for a while, you wonder:

Is this what the opposition really want? Can you be so sure that once in power as the political incumbent, that the current opposition wouldn't entrench themselves in the same way as well? The fact is, Singapore is an extremely small country. That we are not an oligarch like most city-states in history is testament to the sense of responsibility of our current ruling party. Whether or not Mr. Lee's son may be a sign of some form of 'dynastic nepotism' as that man with the nasty beard along City Hall mrt station depends entirely on his political aptitude which we may not as yet assess until more time has elapsed. Mr. Goh after all, had to prove himself by taking Singapore through much of her second growth phase in preparation for her current third before he came to be respected as a Prime Minister in his own right. It remains to be seen if Mr. Lee may spend the political capital built by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Mr. Goh wisely in setting the course for another period of growth.

Lowly student as I am with limited resources and the capacity for much insight, it seems to me that the IR and other 'recreational industries' do not seem to be the solution. We will after all, never be Macau and without developing our manufacturing and services bases, we risk letting our neighbours become viable competitiors. The supply and demand for financial and other higher end services in the region, if I may so callously employ the economics tools of an unintiated neophyte, do seem to be more price and cross inelastic than that of entertainment.

As usual, I cannot concentrate on a single point so let me return to my point on politics.

What do the youth of Singapore think about Chen Shui Bian in Taiwan? Do you think that he should step down? Well, I'll tell you this. If you believe he should step down and that the people of Taiwan have the right to force him off stage, then you are but a hypocritical proponent of democracy. To force him offstage now instead of voting him out of power come the next elections is nothing short of undemocratic and unconstitutional. It is a gesture of blatant disrespect to the mechanisms of democracy.

Herein lies another lesson. Democracy is not only power to and from the people. It is duty for the people. You take responsibility for the leader that you have voted into power. If he seeks to entrench himself through means like declaring martial law or rigging elections, if the democratic mechanism fails, then you make take to the street. But taking to the street has its price, look at Thailand, look at the Baltic States, look at the Philippines. I tell you, I despise your irresponsible idealism, for those of you who would seek democracy without knowing the burden that it brings with it.

One more thing, we're a meritocracy, not a democracy. Which means that right now, we should be asking our government, with due respect and with utmost courtesy, why there have been steps at the educational level to not only remove the tools of meritocracy (streaming. It is a good idea, just not so early in life. Streaming and school ranking are both excellent tools and should be kept.) while at the same time, redcuing equality of opportunity with the Integrated Programme. More on that next time.

Meanwhile, I have a history exam to run to and I still need to bathe. So there.

I still love the PAP and hold Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in the highest regard. Yes, I'm biased towards them, so what? You try respecting the Worker's Party.

C'est tout.