Crowing of Dissents by the Same Crows

Everytime I try to square off with reasons those arguments put up by the dissenting voices of Gopalan Nair or Chee Soon Juan, who openly decry the lack of democracy and that the ruling party is a dictatorial regime, I cannot reconcile their patriotism and their ideals for Singapore.

After reading thread after thread of their discussions and watching their videos on Youtube, it does touch some heart strings and I must admit that it does not offer any real and practical solutions to issues like the low-wage workers' issues or joblessness in Singapore or to manage the traffic congestion in Singapore except to ask for abolition of ERP.

There are many things the oppositions can do to garner the support of civil-minded and reasonable electorate. They can genuinely represent the cause of Singaporeans in a certain district or special interest groups like disabled or children with special needs. There are so many issues that need help. The latest one will be the Lehman's linked investment products which Tan Kin Lian spoke on behalf for. He would have represented a cohort of Singaporeans affected by the sad saga and those affected will become his main constituents if he genuinely lends his helping hands. There are also avenues for the oppositions to meet the people and to organize like-minded, Singapore-loving individuals to come together to help those in needs. Meet the Peoples Session run by the PAP is not a natural outreach program by the party. It is run by volunteers with a deep conviction that they want to help residents solve their problems. Few people these days will have the time or convictions to volunteer on a political platform particularly since the day-to-day tasks of meeting residents is knocking on doors and explaining policies or provide a empathetic ears to their woes and to see what help can then be rendered. This is grueling hard work that calls for dedications and commitments.

Has the opposition got the necessary gumption to put up like-minded men and women who can walk the ground and help the residents with their woes. Democracy, freedom of speech, linguistic discussion on nepotism or autocracy are over-the-head notions for these folks. They want help in organizing themselves. They may have fallen into credit card problems or with kids needing assistance in school because of the demanding school curriculum. Or they may need some short-term financial assistance to help them get through a difficult period. The oppositions can similar gather sponsorships and helps to render to their constituents to win their support.

If none of those are forthcoming from the opposition, it will not be hard to see why the discerning voters will want to vote for them. Unless the opposition can form the next government, their strategy cannot be to govern but to provide the alternative voices to a section of Singaporeans who voted for them and to help them in their everyday lives and to ensure sustainable living. They are to provide the checks on the government policy excesses or spending irrationality. The tact should be to win seat after seat, hopefully, in closer proximity to form a larger geographic coverage. Political lines, all over, old and modern are drawn on north-south, east-west divide.

The opposition must evolve to become better or they cannot forever go on berating PAP for their lack of democracy or freedom of speech. Many governments have already run their countries aground by lack of vision or not displaying strong leadership and any political meadering will only mean that Singapore will fall back to the pits like in the snake-and-ladder game. We are far too small to be always in political contemplation on what we are to become or what state of democracy we want or how much liberty the opposition want.

Opposition parties in Singapore must rise up to offer new options to Singaporeans and stay on firm ground of reasons and rationales. Win the hearts and minds of the people. Don't beat your chests and cry foul.

Oppositions in Singapore unite if you can.