Observations on December 28th & 29th, Campaign Days Five & Six.

1. What are we doing here? This is the NATIONAL General Elections, an event during which we as citizens express our choice of who should represent us in the revered and venerable institution that we call the Parliament. But, what do we get to do and see and hear? Nonsense rhetoric on the part of the PAP, SDP, WP, NSP, and the rest except Chia Shi Teck. Shi Teck is perhaps the ONLY one who is sane and has any credibility. Even Chok Tong, who I am proud to claim to be MY Prime Minister, is being drawn into saying things I feel that he should NOT have said.

2. Let me illucidate (hmm, I am illucidating a lot, ain't I?). The US Dept of State makes a comment that it is unethical to link upgrading with the votes. Sorry, Mr. Prime Minister, I beg to differ from your "furious" reaction. What the US said cannot be taken to mean interference in local politics - far from it. Let us say for argument sakes that it is indeed an interference in domestic politics. Then, Mr PM, would you not agree with me that OM Lee has the exact same habit when he critcises Philippines for their blackouts, etc etc? Interference in their way of managing their economy? Now, Mr PM, how would you have reacted to if say the US Dept of State supported your party's "blackmail" technique? Would you take that as interference? It is theoretical now anyway.

3. Attacking the WP bloke Tang is fine. If he is indeed a wolf in sheep's clothing - fine. We do not need buffoons like him. But, alas, this silly GRC system does not allow for that one bad apple to be booted out. In any case, the PAP has it's own Tang in the person of Choo Wee Khiang who made racist comments INSIDE PARLIAMENT. Mr PM, or should I say, Chok Tong, what have you got to say about that racist statement? One of your own you know! And, where did he say it - Parliament. The very place Chok Tong wants to be keep free of this Tang bloke. Come on, Mr. Prime Minister! Your double standards here is alarming and above all, tsk, tsk, very disappointing.

4. With the PAP diverting attention away from the real issues of price increases, COE, high ministerial pay and focusing on some nincompoop's credibility, we as the electorate are being shortchanged of debate and discussion of issues. On this point alone, I would vote for the non-PAP candidate. It is not so much as what BG (Admin) Loong has been parroting "vote well", but we must reduce as much as possible the high handedness of the PAP. Cheow Tong was patted on the back on not having too many opposing politicians in parliament and because of that things got done. Sure, that is necessarily a good thing PROVIDED the party does away with the stupid whip and allow the MP to vote according to the wishes of his constituents.

5. Our parliamentaty system would be far better if the concept of Party Whip is removed. Then, when any bill comes up, the MP concerned will be able to vote according to both her conscience as well as her constituents wishes. What is the use of electing some fool into parliament *thinking* that that fool will vote with you in mind? She is answerable to his party whip. If he does not toe the line - even if he does not like it - he has to vote with the party or be kicked out. What form of democracy is that?

6. I dream of the day when there is a annual report card that is issued against each MP on how she has done in parliament - her voting record on bills and issues, his work done in the constituency, her pork barrel policies and his scandals.

7. Loong and Co say that the other parties do not know how to read the character of a candidate. Borlocks. The PAP is just as incompetent. Teh Cheang Wan, Phey Yew Kok and Wee Toon Boon are three examples. One harakiried, one absconded (and yes, the Police ... sob, sob, sob, ... cannot find him - they can find Abbas, Vana though) and one was charged in court and still is in the dumps. PAP has had the time and money to do due diligence - after all, our biased political system means that no one except the ruling party knows when the next election will be held. Do you think the non-PAP parties have the money to do much? They need to be in parliament to accumulate some monies (through their allowances) and build up a machinery as well oiled as the PAP.

8. As usual, the PAP TV (aka Television Corporation of Singapore), PAP Radio (Radio Corporation of Singapore) and the PAP Times (aka Straits Times) have done themselves proud with their exemplery coverage of the daily hustings. Two cheers guys!

9. What is this parroting by Loong "If you vote well"? What does the BG (Admin) mean by "vote well"? I don't know, Loong! Is it the same as "study well", "play well", "drive well"?