A strong opposition will draw talent
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Apr 8, 2011 - ST Forum
I RESPECTFULLY disagree with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ("2-party system not workable here: PM"; Wednesday).
First, a few top candidates introduced by the People's Action Party (PAP) joined the party recently after leaving the civil service and military. I believe they are standing for election because they were invited by the ruling party to do so - the key word being "ruling". If Singapore were to have a two-party system and if, say, the Workers' Party were in power and invited top civil servants to join it, I believe many would, too.
The new entrants have probably thrown their hat into the ring because of their desire to make or influence national policy at the highest levels. They would get to do so only by joining the ruling party, regardless of which one. The PAP does not have a monopoly on talent.
Second, I believe that with a strong opposition, more people with good credentials will come forward to participate in national politics than is the case now. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said recently that some potential top candidates declined to stand despite being invited by the PAP. These people must have diverse reasons for not joining the PAP, but one reason could be that they disagreed with certain PAP policies.
With a two-party system, well-qualified candidates would have a choice of parties to join, and that would raise the level of national debate and encourage the competition of ideas.
Third, there is no reason why Singapore being small should preclude a two-party system. New Zealand has four million plus people and Denmark has five million plus people. Both countries have robust multi-party democracies and are doing well economically. Why should Singapore be any different?
Tan Soon Meng
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Do we really have strong opposition supporters?
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feedom of choice.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
Apr 8, 2011 - ST Forum
I RESPECTFULLY disagree with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ("2-party system not workable here: PM"; Wednesday).
First, a few top candidates introduced by the People's Action Party (PAP) joined the party recently after leaving the civil service and military. I believe they are standing for election because they were invited by the ruling party to do so - the key word being "ruling". If Singapore were to have a two-party system and if, say, the Workers' Party were in power and invited top civil servants to join it, I believe many would, too.
The new entrants have probably thrown their hat into the ring because of their desire to make or influence national policy at the highest levels. They would get to do so only by joining the ruling party, regardless of which one. The PAP does not have a monopoly on talent.
Second, I believe that with a strong opposition, more people with good credentials will come forward to participate in national politics than is the case now. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said recently that some potential top candidates declined to stand despite being invited by the PAP. These people must have diverse reasons for not joining the PAP, but one reason could be that they disagreed with certain PAP policies.
With a two-party system, well-qualified candidates would have a choice of parties to join, and that would raise the level of national debate and encourage the competition of ideas.
Third, there is no reason why Singapore being small should preclude a two-party system. New Zealand has four million plus people and Denmark has five million plus people. Both countries have robust multi-party democracies and are doing well economically. Why should Singapore be any different?
Tan Soon Meng
Mr Tan forgot USA - two party system. Republicans and Democrats. The system work perfectly. -
Originally posted by The Samurai Warrior:
Mr Tan forgot USA - two party system. Republicans and Democrats. The system work perfectly.
Taiwan also got 2 party system of KMT and DPP.UK got labour and conservative.
USA got republicans and democrats.
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Originally posted by Meltdown:
Taiwan also got 2 party system of KMT and DPP.UK got labour and conservative.
USA got republicans and democrats.
Yeah lor.
I know countries wif one party system.
North Korea.
Libya.
Syria.
China.
Do u wanna live in a one party system country? Then go to the countries above then u know how it is like.
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pm is a sick man.how do u get rid of a sick man who insists he has the right to do your thinking for u and dictate his type of law on u? its up to people of spore.being armchair politicians wont work.
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if anyone can live on fish n chips for the rest of their life............with no other kinds of food....that person should be lhl.
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Originally posted by Hitman Submarine:
pm is a sick man.how do u get rid of a sick man who insists he has the right to do your thinking for u and dictate his type of law on u?
its up to people of spore.being armchair politicians wont work.
Maybe thats why we're here, and you're not.
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Spore too small that need 2 party system.
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Originally posted by ditzy:
Maybe thats why we're here, and you're not.
given up on u folks already along with pap outside istana and parliament haus.
now i play it the smart way.....i fight from oz and i eat cheep n good food along the way.....same as in all armchair generals and armchair politicians.:)
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and i end up amounting same job n results as u in spore too....:)
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my night snack for tonite will be:
Fresh lettuce and giant alaskan crab leg with au nando hot sauce.
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Originally posted by Hitman Submarine:
pm is a sick man.how do u get rid of a sick man who insists he has the right to do your thinking for u and dictate his type of law on u?
its up to people of spore.being armchair politicians wont work.
He is just a ah dou.
The today newspaper by mediacorrrkkkkkkk has him saying his father the MM is special or unique and there is only one MM. Now all the propaganda shit flying all over in sinkingpore from all their controlled media.
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Originally posted by afan:
He is just a ah dou.
The today newspaper by mediacorrrkkkkkkk has him saying his father the MM is special or unique and there is only one MM. Now all the propaganda shit flying all over in sinkingpore from all their controlled media.
Read his lips !!!!!He's hinting 2 gct
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Originally posted by likeyou:
Do we really have strong opposition supporters?
Not strong really. Opposition supporters are around 30% - 35%.