Monitoring of Server and I.T Security

It is important for a business enterprise to have a robust server and security of its I.T. system. Read this case study of how it can be done economically. http://tankinlian.com/admin/file.aspx?id=231

Transforming Malaysian Healthcare

PICTURE this: a middle-income individual requires specialist medical attention. Under the current dual-tiered healthcare system, he has the option of going to a government-led, public-funded hospital or a thriving private hospital with first-class facilities and shorter waiting time.

Which option would he choose? This depends on three important factors: cost involved, service quality and urgency/complexity of the medical situation. But one fact remains: he will likely be faced with a higher medical bill than ever before. The cost of healthcare has rapidly escalated in the last decade. How expensive will it be in the next five to 10 years?

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/7/business/7174463&sec=business

My observation
Malaysia is now grappling with the issues faced by Singapore earlier. Perhaps they can learn the mistakes to avoid and find a way to better manage the escalation in health care cost.

Letter from Rachel Zeng

Dear Mr Lee, 
May I extend my most sincere condolence to you for the demise of your beloved wife Madam Kwa Geok Choo. 
Despite disagreeing with your political tactics over the years, I can deeply empathise with how it feels to lose a loved one to mortality, especially when more than 60 years of love, companionship and good memories have transpired. 
As you grieve over your unfortunate loss, do allow me to gently remind you that time is running out - for yourself and the surviving political detainees who were arrested and tortured without trial, reportedly under your instructions. 
.... Rachel Zeng
www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

Contingency Fee for Professionals

Should a system of contingency fee be practiced for lawyers and medical specialists, so that they get paid their fee only on successful outcome of the case? Here are the results of a survey of 34 people.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Medishield covers upto age 85

About 70% of respondents to my survey indicated that they prefer to be insured under Medishield after the retire from work. The premium is lower (about one-third of a Private Shield) and the co-payment is also lower. They have to used the subsidized wards (B2 and C).

The remaining 30% indicate that they will opt for Private Shield. The key result cited is that Medishield stops at age 85 and Private Shield can be continued beyond age 85. In my view, this is not necessary to worry about this feature because:

• It is likely that Medishield will be extended beyond age 85 at a future date
• Even if Medishield is not available beyond age 85, there is no need for an elderly person beyond age 85 to spend a lot of money for treating a serious illness, as the chance of successful recovery is very low.

It is better to spend the money for a better quality of life at a younger age. 

Damage to home caused by a falling tree

A consumer ask his insurance company if the home insurance policy covers damage to the home caused by a falling tree. He gets a vague answer. Here is my view about the coverage.


www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Read
Practical Guide on Financial Planning.

Insurance for co-payment

The Medishield and Private Shield plans require the patient to co-pay the part of the hospital bill, comprising of the deductible and co-insurance. Some insurance companies offer a rider to cover the co-payment. Many insurance agents sell the rider as an attractive benefit. In my view, it is all right for the consumer to self-insure and make the co-payments out of  savings (e.g. Medisave), rather than pay the insurance premium (that includes a loading for expenses and profit).

My explanation can be found here: www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx (look for Medishield and private Shield).

Security and monitoring of the server in the data center

A local company Typent offers a service in I.T. Outsourcing. I engaged them to look into the security of my dedicated service, which is located at a data center. I did not experience any security issues previously, but I wanted to make sure that if there is a security threat in the future, I will be ready to respond.

Typent run a tool to scan the server over a few hours. They were able to identify a few potential security threats that could arise in the future. They advised the installation of a firewall and anti-virus software on the server and also for the server software to be updated. As a hardware firewall is expensive, I decided (on their recommendation) to implement a software firewall to provide first level protection. They assisted me in the implementation of these measures. They also helped me to install a virtual server, which can be used in an emergency.

I also engaged Typent to provide a regular monitoring service on my server. This service allows them to be alerted on any potential threat to the server or the possibility of a potential failure of the hardware. The monitoring is continuous and an email alert will be sent immediately on any of these incidents. This allows Typent to see if any corrective action needs to be taken immediately.

The cost of the initial and regular service is quite small and is easily within the budget of any small enterprise. I recommend that any enterprise that users a server for their business, should have this type of monitoring service. Take precaution before any failure or threat occurs, and be ready to respond when it arises. If you are interested to use the service of Typent, send an email to kinlian@gmail.com.

Typent also recommend the creation of a virtual machine (that contain a copy of the image of the operating system) that can be called in an emergency.

Singapore General Election Portal (SGEP)

There are a few interesting articles posted in the SGEP.
Go to www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx to view the latest postings.
You can search for an article using the keyword, e.g. "minimum wage" to view the postings on this topic.
Please keep a bookmark to visit this portal regularly.
You can also include this link in the Google Reader.

www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

I wish to invite readers to contribute letters to this portal to give your views on what you like to see happen in Singapore.

Medishield and Private Shield

Take part in this survey

This article explains why it is better to be insured under Medishield, compared to Private Shield, especially for the elderly and retired people. The consumer pays a lower premium and a lower co-payment under Medishield (by going to subsidized wards) and get a similar quality of medical care.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Additional comment
I like to ask consumers to read my book, Practical Guide on Financial Planning, to be educated about insurance and investment. Please send questions to me after you have bought and read my book.

Good manners, not laws, key to web privacy

British Home Office minister Damian Green has said
it was not up to government to stop people invading the privacy of others
by posting information, photos or films of them online.
He wanted the state to intrude less into people's lives.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11472687

My view
It is difficult for an individual person to take action against another person who invades privacy. The Government should have people who can attend to these complaints. They can write to the alleged offender and ask them to remove the offending material. If the offender refuses, the matter can be taken by the next step. We cannot expect the citizens to engage a lawyer (which is costly). This is why the Government is elected to run the country.

How to Stop Rogue Automatic Payments A

look at consumers' rights when a company won't stop
billing your credit card or siphoning money from your debit card or checking accounts.
(Don't miss Readers' Comments)
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/how-to-stop-rogue-automatic-payments/

My view
A company that makes unjustified deduction should be considered as cheating and should be prosecuted. This will stop the bad practice. If it is a mistake, they can apologize and remedy the situation. But, we need to have the authority taking the responsibility to attend to this matter. They cannot reduce their manpower and gave the excuse that they are saving cost. It is the duty of the authority to stop cheating.

Investment scams

It’s not hard to find the hottest investment scams.
Just read the business headlines...
State securities cops are spotting some compelling pitches
that are trapping investors all over the country.

http://blogs.reuters.com/deep-pocket/2010/10/04/top-investment-scams-gone-wild/

My view
The Police should employ more people who can have the time to pursue these investment scams. This will create a few additional jobs for the investigators. It will make the economy more efficient as it prevents a lot of people finding employment by participating in these investment scams.

Inflated injury claim

Here is a case study of an alleged inflated injury claim caused by a motor accident. Motorists are likely to encounter such situation during their years of driving.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Global economy need to be fixed

I read about the inability of the US economy to create jobs to reduce the unemployment rate. Many countries are now devaluing their currency to increase competitiveness. They are also reducing interest rate to near zero, causing cheap money to flow to Asian countries, causing asset bubbles. This will bring further turmoil to the global economy and financial market.

There are some talks about fixing the global economy. It is not easy. The current system is rotten and cannot be fixed easily. The root of this problem is ....... make a guess! Give your views in this comment. I will write my views later.

Home insurance and damage by falling tree

Hi Mr Tan, 
Due to the recent heavy rainfall and floods in Singapore that caused trees to fall, I have been trying to buy home assurance to cover for fallen trees. But in vain. Only one underwriter seem to indicate vaguely its "coverage or non-coverage" for falling trees when it repeatedly quoted its policy on "insured perils" and its corresponding definitions. 


To a layman like me, I read these legal jargons as ambiguous and deceptive. I wrote to the GIA and they are equally evasive. They simply cannot explain in layman terms my simple qn: "if a tree falls on my house, will the insurance cover for the damage?" 


A simple question and yet no direct simple answer. But if I buy the cover and a tree falls, then only they will tell me a direct answer to my simple question. 


And their answer will be "No, it does not cover because fallen trees do not come under what is defined as "insured perils". Why not tell me now in this very direct and simple terms instead of relying on me interpreting their clauses and definition? 


Very exasperating. Only shows that insurance companies are not totally honest and upfront when selling their policies. 


My observation
In my view, the insurance policy should cover damage by falling tree, as it is not an excluded hazard and the policy should normally cover all perils. It is best to confirm with the insurance company. Their inability to give a clear answer is appalling. I advised the consumer to write to the Straits Times Forum page.

NCD Protector

MR JAIRAM AMRITH:
The General Insurance Association of Singapore's (GIA) reply on Monday
('GIA's advice to motorists on no-claims discount')
did not address the basic concern...

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_587143.html

A fairer contract for motorists

THE General Insurance Association of Singapore's reply on Monday
('GIA's advice to motorists on no-claims discount')...
It defeats the purpose of purchasing the protector
in the first place.
Tan Kin Lian

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_587140.html

Read the letter from FISCA here
www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Banks offer innovative term deposit products

Standard Chartered Bank yesterday unveiled a step-up 12-month time deposit which allows for early withdrawal but rewards savers if they leave the funds for the full period. The step-up time deposit pays up to one per cent if the funds are left for the entire 12 months, said Stanchart. For the first three months, the deposit earns 0.3 per cent, with the interest rate increasing to 0.4 per cent for the next three months; 0.6 per cent for the third three-month period and one per cent for the last three months. The average interest rate works out to 0.58 per cent for 12 months. Another bank with an innovative time deposit product is Maybank which is throwing in a lucky draw of $1,000 Best Denki vouchers. Its online isavvy time deposit pays an upfront interest of 0.25 per cent and the rest of the interest upon maturity of the deposit. isavvy offers time deposits with maturities ranging from three months to 36 months. The highest interest rate of 1.85 per cent is for the 36-month time deposit for amounts between $250,000 and $1 million. Maybank's promotion ends on Nov 30 this year http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,406928,00.html?

Asia Europe Foundation

There are two interesting discussion in the conference in Brussels (where PM Lee Hsien Loong was supposed to speak but had to return due to the demise of his mother).

The topics are:

• Who should pay for the cost of higher education?
• Giving citizens access to information is a way to combat corruption.

www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

Happy Planet Index

The speaker talks about how we have been focusing on the negative side of life - fear and greed. He suggests that we have to focus on the positive side. View it.

www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

Yield on investment

This article explains how you can use Excel to calculate the accumulated amount of your savings and the net yield after allowing for the effect of deduction of a life insurance policy.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

How to read the benefit illustration (ILP)

Some consumers find it difficult to locate the relevant figures from the benefit illustration to compute the effect of deduction as a percentage of the accumulated premium (to compare against the benchmark of 20%) for 25 years.

This article shows how you can get the relevant figures from a Benefit Illustration to see if you are getting a fair yield on your life insurance policy. It applies to an investment-linked policy. (Note: A different format is used for a participating policy).

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Invest your savings

Here are some tips on how you can invest your savings in a low cost investment fund to earn a target yield of 5% per annum, and manage your risk over the long term.
www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

How nations are trapped by globalisation

The problems faced by Singapore are predicted in the book entitled "The Trap" by James Goldsmith.
www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

America's deepening moral crisis

The language of collective compassion has been abandoned in the U.S.,

and no politician dare even mention helping the poor.
www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

My view
Many countries, including Singapore, have a wide disparity in income distribution. Some people are super rich but many others are poor. I have said, "to support every rich billionaire, we need many hundred thousand people to be poor". Some disparity of income is necessary to get people to work a little harder, but extreme disparity is exploitation - as it forces the lower income to work so much more hours, just to earn enough to pay for the cost of living.

End the Credit Rating Addiction

The IMF recommends we “End the Credit Rating Addiction”

http://blog-imfdirect.imf.org/2010/09/30/end-the-credit-rating-addiction/

 

Tax rates worldwide

or why you should move to New Zealand

http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/visualizations/tax-rates-worldwide-or-why-you-sho

Financial Regulation in Singapore

http://in.reuters.com/article/idINSGE68E00P20100930

 

My observation

The light touch regulation has been bad for retail investors, both local and overseas, and has given a bad reputation to Singapore.

More teeth needed to curb false ads

Last year, a top multinational cosmetics company ran a national press advertisement in Britain ...
ASA asked for substantiation... rejected the studies... banned in its original form.
The same advertisement ran its full course in Singapore.
If a complaint had been made to ASAS,
would it have had the clout to take on a huge multinational corporation?
Cheng Shoong Tat

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_586300.html

GIA's advice to motorists on no-claims discount

I REFER to the letter by Mr Derrick D'Souza last Thursday
('Get motorists up to speed on no-claim bonus protector').
GIA advises motorists to fully understand all aspects of this product
when considering its purchase...
Mark Lim Executive Director General Insurance Association of Singapore
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_586311.html

Motor accident with injury

Here is a case study of a motorist who met with an accident involving injury. The insurance company asked him to settle the injury claim out of court. He is worried about having to attend court.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Kwa Geok Choo (Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew)

Here are a few nice words about Mrs. Lee.
www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx.

Mobile games on Apple

I have uploaded four free games (Tangram and Shape Quiz) on the Apple App store for the past 4 weeks. There were 2,500 downloads - about 100 a day. Downloads from Singapore account for only 6% of the total. The top ranking countries are USA, Japan, France, UK and Singapore. Yes, Singapore is a small country.

To search for my games, look for "Tan Kin Lian". You will see 4 Lite games (free).

Click here.
http://tankinlian.com/admin/file.aspx?id=202

Condolences to the family of Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew

Deepest condolences.

Motor insurance premium for the elderly

A policyholder wrote a letter to the Straits times to complain that his premium was increased after he became 70 years old. A journalist asked for me if this increase was "fair".

My views can be found in www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Rubik Cube

The Rubik's Cube is a 3-D mechanical puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. Originally called the "Magic Cube", the puzzle was licensed by Rubik to be sold by Ideal Toys in 1980^[3] and won the German Game of the Yearspecial award for Best Puzzle that year. As of January 2009, 350 million cubes have sold worldwide making it the world's top-selling puzzle game. It is widely considered to be the world's best-selling toy.

Learn how to solve this most popular puzzles. 

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Motor insurance premiums

This article explains the factors that determine motor insurance premiums.

The factors include:
Age - drivers younger than 25 and older than 65 pay higher premiums
Gender - males pay more than females
Occupation
Size of car

It recommends consumers to shop around for the cheapest premium rates, as different insurance companies charge differently.

Here are some statistics from the Association of British Insuers:
The ABI said the average cost of a claim by a 60 to 64-year-old driver is £1,170, while the average claim by someone aged over 80 is £1,716 - almost 50 per cent more.

Don’t gripe, take action

Dear Straits Times,

I refer to your 12 Sept 2010 editorial...
Yes, Singaporeans should do something about things that make them unhappy.
Airing their views and making their unhappiness known is one such thing to do.
We don’t call it ‘gripe’, we call it ‘enlightening the unenlightened’.

http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/09/20/dont-gripe-take-action/

No choice but take bank loans

Letter from Leong Sze Hian

The HDB has done a remarkable job in reducing the number of HDB loans in arrears...
However, I would like to know the statistics for HDB bank loans as well,
as I understand that there are more than 100,000 outstanding HDB bank loans.
So, how many HDB bank loans are in arrears over three months
and how many flats have been foreclosed
since banks were allowed to do HDB loans on Jan 1, 2003?

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100923-0000066/No-choice-but-take-bank-loans

Business Times: Junket operators slide into the gaming frame

The Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) said yesterday it has received licence applications from junket operators endorsed by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). But it would not reveal the number of applicants or say when licences will be granted.

'CRA has received junket applications endorsed by RWS and is currently processing them,' a CRA spokesperson said. 'The junkets business is a specialised and lucrative one.

'Because of the nature of this business - where large sums of money are transacted between junket promoters, their clients and the casinos - it is important that junket promoters are well-regulated to ensure junkets do not provide cover for organised crime syndicates to engage in criminal activities.'

Read the full article (after 6 pm) from:
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,406324,00.html?

Announcement on SMRT trains

Drawing a line at vested interests

... So what sounds like a helpful public service announcement is, in fact,
an advertisement by SMRT for its own bus services...
If the Government deems that public transport should be privately provided,
should it not at least mandate that, in activities such as providing information to the commuting public,
operators like SMRT should place public service ahead of their commercial interests?
Richard Seah
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_584376.html

No claim bonus protector

Get motorists up to speed on no-claim bonus protector

MR KELVIN Pereira questioned the usefulness of a no-claim bonus (NCB) protector

for motor vehicle premiums in case of an accident

('No protection despite a rider '; last Saturday)...

As most motorists are unfamiliar with the NCB protector,

the General Insurance Association of Singapore or the relevant authorities

should comment on its perceived usefulness.

Derrick D'Souza

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_584785.html

Humor

What a Woman Wants in a Man

http://www.sexcigarsbooze.com/2010/09/what-a-woman-wants-in-a-man/

 

Not All Seniors Are Senile

http://www.sexcigarsbooze.com/2010/09/joke-not-all-seniors-are-senile/

 

The Difference Between Airplanes & Women

http://www.sexcigarsbooze.com/2010/09/the-difference-between-airplanes-women/

 

Vincent Cheng speaks at SDP Pre-Election Rally

Former ISA detainee Vincent Cheng has called for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act during the SDP pre-election rally yesterday at Hong Lim Park. Mr Cheng was detained for three years without trial under the ISA from 1987 to 1990 for being involved in a "Marxist Conspiracy" to overthrow the PAP regime. He claimed that he initially stood firm and denied the charges imposed on him by the PAP regime, but relented in the end after being physically assaulted and tortured by ISD officers.


Singapore General Election Portal: www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx

Amendments to home loan agreement

Hard to spot home loan changes

When a customer receives a monthly statement,
his focus will be on checking the accuracy of the figures.
Now he must check for amendments to the loan agreement as well.
Mohamed Rafiq Hamjah
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_585661.html

Increase in motor insurance premium for older drivers

Unwarranted rise in premium as one ages

IN DETERMINING car insurance premiums, insurance companies here may be relying
on a flawed actuarial table that unfairly penalises baby boomers like me,
notwithstanding their sound health status and driving record.
Lee Seck Kay
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_585586.html

Child care leave

Should child care leave be extended to mothers of students up to primary 6? Read the views in the Singapore General Election Portal.

HDB Loan Re-finance

The borrower wishes to re-finance a HDB loan (on non-concessionary rates) with a bank loan to enjoy lower interest rate. Here are the factors to take into consideration.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Singapore's method of teaching maths

In a front-page article Friday, we show how Singapore math is taking hold in schools throughout the country. Here in New York City, home to the nation’s largest school system, a small but growing number of schools have adopted this approach, based on Singapore’s national math system. Many teachers and parents here say Singapore math helps children develop a deeper understanding of numbers and math concepts than they gain through other math programs.

Singapore General Election portal

Economist MBA ranking

The Economist give a higher ranking to business school in NTU compared to NUS.
http://www.pressrun.net/weblog/2010/09/ntu-69th-nus-84th-in-economist-mba-rankings.html

Drop in ranking of Singapore universities

The drop in THE rankings of Singapore’s top two universities, one by a whopping 101 places,

lays bare the contrast between expectations of a parochial public

and the realities on the ground.

Singapore General Election Portal

Need for regulation

The government has the philosophy that consumers are best served by a free market and that there there is less need for regulation. The Competition Competition was set up to disallow associations from setting guidelines for prices. In practice, this approach has worked to the disadvantage of consumers, as they are exposed to malpractices of the providers. There is a need for better regulation and transparency,  while allowing prices to be set by guidelines that are determined by the market.

www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx

Ranking of Nanyang Technological University - Letter from President

View the letter sent by the President of NTU to the alumni, regarding the university ranking in www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx.

Opening paragraphs:
In the last week, my colleagues and I have received emails and letters of concern and outrage from students and our alumni about recent media stories saying NTU has dropped 101 places in university rankings. The NTU community is understandably upset, confused and alarmed and is right in asking what the NTU leadership is doing about this. As NTU's President, I can understand your feelings and realise how our hard work and efforts in recent years to build NTU's reputation have been damaged by these media reports. Let me state categorically that NTU did NOT drop 101 places in university ranking.

Ranking of Nanyang Technological University

Here is a comment posted in my survey.

The drop in ranking of NTU is indeed a sad day for Singapore because Singapore have actually spent large sum of money in an effort to raise the standard of NTU and their ranking.

The decline of NTU actually started many years ago when the second president was appointed. The person had no track record in running a university; so he did not know how to run the university. Why did the government appoint such a person?

After a few years, the government noted that no progress was made at NTU. So they appointed a provost - an elderly foreign gentleman completely fresh to NTU. Again, why did the government appoint such a person?

At that time, there was an exercise in raising the retirement age of professors from 55 to 65. In this exercise, those who were perceived to be good would be retained and they would be employed till 65. Those who were perceived to be poor were sacked. This exercise therefore had a huge impact on professors’ lives. Because of this, the whole atmosphere in NTU changed from being cooperative with each other to everyone for himself. By hook or by crook, many professors tried to get their retirement age extended. As reported in the newspapers, there was a consensus that the exercise was done unfairly and lack transparency. Why didn’t the NTU management carry out the exercise fairly with transparency?

This exercise has been going on for the last few years, and many professors were sacked. The biggest group affected was Singaporeans. The top management who were making decisions at the time was dominated by foreigners. Why did the government hire foreigners to sack their own citizens?

So, many Singapore professors lost their jobs. Other professors from overseas who lost their jobs have the option of returning home and get a university position there - but not the Singapore professors. Those who were sacked were also the ones who helped to build up NTU in the past (when NTU enjoyed a much higher ranking). Why didn’t the NTU management recognise their past contributions?

The management then proceeded to hire new professors and foreigners were preferred because it helped in the ranking (see the score on the international mix). So the Singaporeans were discriminated against even in their own country. Why did the government hire foreigners to discriminate against their own citizens?

After the results of the exercise have been made known, those who got the extension did not have to work hard because their employment was “guaranteed”. Those who did not get the extension had to work hard for a career outside NTU. So who was working hard for NTU? A scenario that could have easily foreseen even before the exercise started. Why didn’t the NTU management see it?

So, who are the winners? As Singapore lost plenty of money in hiring foreigners and ended up with a low ranking university - they cannot be the winners. NTU ended up being a low ranking university - they cannot be the winners. Singapore citizens lost their jobs - they cannot be the winners. Foreigners who made NTU worse and pocketed plenty of money from Singapore and will be going home happy – yes, foreigners are the winners. Congratulations to the winners!

Since we are all humans, so we live and learn. Hope the Singapore government will learn something from this episode. Foreigners by definition cannot have their hearts in Singapore. Only citizens can. May NTU and Singapore have a better future!

Tax on "super rich"

There is a report that Taiwan is considering to introduce a tax on the "super rich". This tax is imposed on purchase of luxury home, cars and other items.

I prefer to have a high rate of tax based on extremely high income. There is no need to have bankers, lawyers, doctors and corporate executives earning several million dollars a year. Their earnings are the fees that are paid by their customers, who are not rich people, and may not be aware about the high fees that are being charged or are being sold bad investments at inflated prices.  The high rate of tax will discourage them from earning too much, and will be good for the people in general. A high rate of tax will encourage ethical behavior.

General Election 2006

You can get information on the general election held in 2006 here, www.easyapps.sg/sgep/latest.aspx. This is useful to compare against the results of the next election to be held soon.

Brief summary:
The 2006 Singapore parliamentary general election was held on 6 May 2006. 1.22 million out of the 2.16 million eligible Singaporeans voted for Members of Parliament and elected their next government. The People's Action Party (PAP), in its first election under Lee Hsien Loong, won 66.6% of the overall votes and gained 82 out of 84 seats. The PAP returned for a twelfth consecutive term in office under thePrime Minister.


The general election was held under the first-past-the-post system. The parliament was dissolved by President S R Nathan on 20 April, three weeks before the election. On Nomination Day, the PAP gained 37 seats in divisions which were uncontested by other parties. The main election issues included employment, cost of living, housing, transport, education, the need for an effective opposition voice in parliament, and the quality of the candidates.

High paying home jobs

http://www.focus.com/fyi/finance/highest-paying-work-home-jobs/

1. web software engineer
2. financial planner
3. public relations professional
4. interpreter or translator
5. inside sales
6. technical writer
7. property manager
8. graphic designer
9. medical claim processor
10. travel agent

My observation
Technology has made it possible for more jobs to be done from home. You are paid for the work done, rather than for the time spent in the workplace.

Gold - a bubble?

Gold as the “ultimate bubble”

George Soros has repeatedly warned that gold is locked in the “ultimate bubble”,

and told investors it was “certainly not safe” in troubled times.

So why does his fund own so much of it?

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2010/09/30/gold-as-the-ultimate-bubble/

Mobile phones

This infographic shows the popularity of various types of mobile phones.

85% of Americans own a mobile phone
25% of these are smart phones (i.e. 21% of Americans)

Within the smart phone market, the share is:

Blackberry - 35%
Apple - 28%
Windows - 15%
Android - 14%

Apple and Android saw increase in market share (over 2009). The other phones saw a drop in market share.