Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Unreformed socialist

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Unreformed socialist

I met a doctor friend who has known me for many years. He remarked, "Kin Lian, I heard you speak at the medical seminar. You are an unreformed socialist. This is a dangerous occupation in our capitalist society today".

I understand his remarks. So many powerful people in Singapore, including our government leaders, are pursuing their personal wealth and interest. Someone who is willing to speak for the ordinary people, will not be welcomed by them.

It is sad to see what has been happening in recent years. We have among the worst income distribution in the world, as measured by the Gini coefficient. Many people have to work on two jobs to earn enough for the family. They are paid wages that are way below the poverty line, and yet our leaders refuse to consider a minimum wage.

Singapore made the best progress in our earlier years, when the economic policies were more fair and equal ( i.e more socialist), than they are today. Singapore was a more cohesive society in the old days.

Tan Kin Lian

6 comments:

C H Yak said...: The "value" system is totally wrong even if our political system might be acceptable or OK since it is far from being matured.

In China, it is rather easy to see the doctors straight in a hospital and tell him your medical conditions. He then prescribe the medicines and or medical tests which you pay later.

The initial consultation is only about RBM 4.5 to 9 including first time registration and a portable medical record book. If no major treatments are required, you don't even have to pay because it is all covered by their form of Medishield. If you pay RMB 9 you will be seeing a senior doctor at our equivalent of at least at Assistant Registrar Level or Senior Consultant Level.

And most of the medical tests or even medicines can are also covered and paid through their Medishield. Even medicine you purchased OTC at outside pharmacies are covered by their Medishield, including many tonics or health supplements.

In Singapore, you Q-up for long hours at Poly Clinics or private Clinics for referral. You are given a Q Number and appointment months later to see a doctor at the hospital unless one go to A&E and pay the costly fees.

On the appointment day you still wait for hours whether you are early or on time. And you still pay alot because the medical shield insurance has "excess" clauses which just will not want to "cover".

If China can managed it with their population, why not Singapore even if we have a 6M population which is just a small fraction of a China city.

We pay for an expensive infrastruture and "software" which is so called 1st Class. Government is expensive. Doctors are expensive. Lawyers are expensive. Cars are expensive. Housing is expensive. Only you cannot be expensive.

It is so "expensive" even to get a resonable reply from our Govt Authorities so they choose not to reply to save you more costs.

Everything is just like our National Airline SIA which is first class. But many just want a resonable service or even budget airline.; November 22, 2010 9:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Be careful Kin Lian. I will pray for your safety from PAP especially LKY the tyrant.; November 22, 2010 9:28 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Someone told me that when both parents have to work long hours just to meet the cost of living, they do not have time to guide their children.

Some children from these families become involved in gang activities. This led to the killing that we saw in recent cases.

It is a bad consequence of our economic system.; November 22, 2010 4:21 PM
Lye Khuen Way said...: It is strange, but I have been commenting using my full name as given by my parents.
Yes, my spouse tells me that I am not Mr KL Tan nor am I a successful Singaporean by a very far stretch of imagination. What I write, are my real personal encounters. At times, I do get carried away, but by & large I speak the truth, from my "well".
We are all sad that Singapore has degenerated in many aspects of life.; November 22, 2010 7:57 PM
Lord of Moringa said...: Some years back on my very first visit to London, I fell sick. I visited a clinic, had my consultation with a doctor and was provided some medication. Then they said that's it, you can go, take care. So I enquired how much I need to pay. To my surprise, they said it's OK, it's taken care of. I never understood why it was free for me as a foreigner. Maybe it's got something to do with us being in the Commonwealth! Compare this to Singapore ....need I say more??; November 23, 2010 11:46 AM
Tan Choon Hong said...: Reading the English translation of the Chinese classic Hong Lou Meng I chanced upon a remark: "We sow for others to reap." This phrase resonates with me as I interpret it to be a social commentary on the exploitation of the working class by the elite. In the current context it reflects the government's reluctance to implement a minimum wage for the legions of low pay workers who make our economy tick, yet receive just about enough to keep body and soul together. Yes, there are schemes to alleviate their suffering, but seeking such assistance comes at price – the loss of one's self-esteem, especially for the seniors.

Without a scheme that guarantees an honest day's pay for an honest day's work, these workers, especially the elderly under-educated, are trapped in a poverty cycle that can only worsen with the deluge of workers from low wage countries. No doubt implementing a minimum wage scheme will cause some inflation, but pricier lower-end labour should encourage innovation and efficient deployment.

It is time too that those who want to enjoy the luxury of a first world's standard of living start paying first world prices for it. Otherwise we would continue to perpetuate the archetypal Asian master-servant relationship between employer and employee that keeps the disadvantaged in virtual bondage. This is unacceptable for a nation that aspires to be an enlightened society "based on justice and equality..... "; November 26, 2010 1:10 AM