Premiums for private Shield plans are very expensive

I have often advised older people to avoid the integrated Shield Plans that covers A class or private hospitals.

The reason is - the premium is high and is likely to go much higher. These plans will become very expensive, and will be unaffordable to older people.

This article explains what is happending.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/…/the-good-the-bad-and-the-…

Should the government take over the running of Eldershield?

The results for this issue is now ready for viewing:

a) Should the government take over the running of Eldershield (long term care insurance)? (89 Votes )

The majority said yes. View their reason in:
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=164

Why does the MRT break down so often?

I learned that the MRT system can breakdown due to
a) signal fault
b) track fault
c) power fault
d) train fault

I want to add the following:
e) passenger fault (why you all want to take train the same time?)
f) nobody's fault (the system just suka suka break down)
g) engineers fault (why you can fix the problem?
h) management fault (how can? we are top scholars! )

Self destruction of capitalism

Listen to this economic update by Prof Richard Wolff about capitalism's self destruction. You will understand why the current economic system cannot last long.
http://www.democracyatwork.info/eu_capitalism_self_destruct…

Is it safe to ride on Uber?

Recently, there is another fatal accident involving a Uber car. Will this discourage you from booking Uber? Should there be a minimum age or driving experience for Uber drivers?
Give your views in www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

Causes of MRT breakdown

I now learn that the train breakdown can occur due to:

a) signal fault
b) track fault
c) power fault
d) train fault

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/morning-rush-hour-commute-ewl-hit-2-different-faults-wednesday

What I am unable to learn is - why are these faults occuring now, when the system was running well for over 30 years?

Could it be due to

a) equipmment failing due to age
b) over loading of the system
c) poor maintenance
d) lack of engineering know how?

Wisdom of the Crowd - view the results

Here are the results for the issues that have just closed.

a) Do you agree with the remark of DPM Teo Chee Hean that we are all sons of Lee Kuan Yew (128 Votes )

60% felt insulted by this statement.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=162

b) After watching the Parliamentary debate on 38 Oxley Road, which statement best reflects your view? (127 Votes )

63% said that Parliament is the wrong platform to discuss this issue.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=163

Wisdom of the Crowd - view these results

Here are the results of the voting on the issues that have just been closed.

a) Are you happy with the debate in Parliament on 3 July? (127 Votes )

More than 70% are quite dissatisfied with the debate.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=161

b) What is your opinion of PM Lee during the July 3 Parliamentary session? (129 Votes )

Over 80% have a negative opinion.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=160

c) Do you agree with the views of Goh Chok Tong on 38 Oxley Road? (139 Votes )

Nearly 70% consider his statement to be too biased.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=159

Wisdom of the Crowd - Foreign policy strategy

The voting on this issue has now closed. You can view the result:

a) Should Singapore continue its foreign policy on speaking for the rule of international law? (121 Votes )

The majority of the Crowd said that we must change our foreign policy strategy.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=158

Save for your retirement, but choose the right way

Every once in a while, you will see an attractive advertisement from a bank or life insurance company telling you about the importance of making separate savings for your retirement. They will explain that your savings in the Central Provident Fund is not adequate for your retirement needs.

They will back up the explanation with surveys, testimonials, statistics and other convincing information.
The underlying message is correct. Most people in Singapore need to have additional savings to live comfortably during retirement.

But the method that they proposed to achieve this goal is questionable.

Be careful. You can be walking into a trap. Read this.
http://www.fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=496

WhatsApp Group to promote neighborliness

I have printed a hard copy of this letter to be sent to my neighbors. My proposal is to form a WhatsApp Group.
http://www.tankinlian.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1387

Wisdom of the Crowd - Pedra Blanca issue

The voting on this issue closed today.

a) How should Singapore respond to the application by Malaysia for the ICJ on the Pedra Blanca issue? (126 Votes )

The highest votes goes to - let the International Court of Justice hear the case. The preferred choice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is to oppose the application - gets the second highest vote.

View the details in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=157

Videos on financial planning are more popular

The short videos on financial planning and insurance are very popular, compared to the written articles. Each video is about 6 minutes. It must be the conversational format of the videos that are easier to follow.

You can select the topic and watch the videos here:
http://www.tankinlian.com/video.aspx

Who has a better character?

Who has a better character? Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Wei Ling, Lee Hsien Yang, Chee Soon Juan or Low Thia Khiang?

The results are quite surprising. View them here.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=154

Promote neighborliness

I had a regular meeting with my old classmates. Yesterday, I spoke to them about this idea to get to know the neighbors and to promote the kampong spirit. They agreed that this is an excellent idea. They will also try it out with their neighbors.
http://www.tankinlian.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1381

Wisdom of the Crowd - view the results

You can now view the results of the voting on these issues:

a) Which policy decisions of Lee HL is most harmful to Singapore? (133 Votes )

The issue of the South China Sea did not feature high. Two other issues got more votes.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=156

b) Should the court accept Dr. Tan Cheng Bock's arguments on the reserved President Election? (20 Votes )

The votes were given by the Crowd before the court ruling. The Crowd had a different take compared to the court.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=165

c) If Lee HL agrees to demolish 38 Oxley Road, how will you view him? (123 Votes )

This result is very bad for Lee HL. Even if he agrees now to demolish 38 Oxley Road, his stature has diminished considerably.
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=152

d) Why did LKY refuse to acceded to LHL's request to preserve 38 Oxley Road? (137 Votes )

Most people voted that LKY was unwavering in his wish for 39 Oxley Road to be demolished. But a sizeable number of people think there is another reason, which is hidden beneath the service. What is this reason, which has the second highest number of votes?
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=155

Stamp duty on transacting in property in Singapore

Recently, I looked at a freehold condominium called Flora View near my home which seemed to be recently priced at slightly more than $1 million.

When I carried out further research, I realized that I had to pay an Additional Buyer Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 10% on the property in additional to the normal stamp duty which works to slightly less than 3%. This would add another 13% to the cost of the property, before counting lawyer fees. The property becomes unattractive to me. Anyway, all of the units in that development had been fully sold out.

I learned more about the ABSD, SSD and TSDR. For those who want to invest in a condominium and are still confused about these terms, you can find a brief explanation here.
http://www.fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=494

Wisdom of the Crowd - new issues for voting

Here are two new issues for you to vote

a) Should the Deputy Attorney General be censured for his remarks about Dr. Tan Cheng Bock?
b) Should the organizer continue with the talks in Hong Lim Park regarding Oxley Road

Give your vote in
www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg