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25/11/2009
Singaporeans must do their part
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Even as the opposition heaves to overcome the extraordinary odds in establishing a working democratic system in Singapore, the people must not sit back and expect it to do all the heavy lifting.
Without the active involvement of Singaporeans, political change will always be something we talk about, not experience.
Show me credibility
"Show me what your candidate can offer, and I may consider voting for you." Unfortunately, such what's-in-it-for-me attitude will continue to keep Singapore firmly at the bottom of the democratic league.
The prevalence of fear of politics in society means that opposition parties have a terrible time convincing the people to join them, let alone persuading them to stand as candidates.
This is not to say that Singaporeans should lower the bar when it comes to electing opposition MPs. It is to say that Singaporeans must not wait for the next guy to take the first step of joining or volunteering their help to opposition parties.
As long as the people hold back their active support in campaigning, donating, or behind-the-scenes work, little progress will be made.
Elections is not a spectator sport. Being passive observers is not an option. Without supporters getting actively involved in the campaigns, elections will remain an academic exercise.
One of the reasons why the opposition has performed so abjectly at the polls in the past is because those who know and care have not come forward to help. The PAP triumphs not because of the approval of Singaporeans but because of the apprehension of opposition supporters.
To paraphrase John F Kennedy: Ask not what the opposition can do for you, ask what you can do for the opposition.
I'm just a...
So often we hear Singaporeans say "I'm just a so-and-so, I'm in no position to help." One thing that democracy does not do: It discounts the participation of certain classes of citizens. Everyone counts.
If you cannot fly, run; if you cannot run, walk; if you cannot walk, crawl. Just don't stand still. Do something.
With the elections impending, the Singapore Democrats are shifting our work up one gear. But we are up against a regime bent on holding on to its autocratic ways.
We are confident, however, that we shall overcome the odds by fighting hard and fighting smart. But we cannot do it alone. We need all the help we can get from you, our supporters.
We need funds to help print flyers, to rent equipment, to purchase supplies and so on.
We need volunteers to help with the enormous work of reaching out to the public.
We need the skills and expertise that make campaigns work.
If you can contribute in one or all of the above ways, please don't hold back. Don't wait for the next guy to come forward to make a contribution. Do it. Today. Send us an email sdp@yoursdp.org and we'll get in touch with you
Support the SDP. Your Voice, Your Party.
12:47 Posted by soci | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
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Comments
That was such a delightfully delusional post -- replete with collectivist ideology and weasel-words and faux motivational language that would probably make a new-age guru consider a political career.
In my non-exspurt opinion, and from purely anecdotal evidence, the individuals I talk to simply DON'T CARE about politics. What they tend to focus on is their own self-interest: i.e. minding their own business -- their economic enterprises, their family and friends and their security. The feedback from my conversations is that they don't care WHO is running the country as long as the taxes are low, career opportunities are adequate and their sense of life points to being "grateful" compared with people living in other countries.
Above all, progressive liberal ideology is almost completely rejected. These folks like their economic freedom. They either "tolerate" the social conservatism of the PAP, conduct their private lives "under the radar", or at the extreme actually support more conservatism from the government.
In fact, I'm getting increasing "libertarian" signals from the folks I talk to, and they are from every social/economic "strata" (for all you class-warfare Marxists readers). Libertarian in the sense that they:
1 Want to be left alone to pursue their material goals
2 Adhere (more or less) to a "live-and-let-live" policy
3 Like low taxes and complain every time the govt charges more for its "services" (a healthy sign)
4 Could care less about politics
5 Believe in private charity and are opposed to government handouts (another healthy sign)
6 Consider their home, possessions, relationships and family sacrosanct and are hostile to any government interference (excellent!)
Like I said, my experience is anecdotal. Do your own due diligence. As for voting -- I don't vote. I don't see any point in it. The people are going to get the government they deserve anyway -- regardless of the political system or lack thereof.
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 26/11/2009