Bernie Sander's "Medicare for All" is better than Obamacare

Obamacare is facing issues. The premiums are going higher. For profit insurers are considering to exit the market.

The problem? It is not able to control the health care cost.

My view: Bernie Sander's "Medicare for All" is a better solution.

http://www.cnbc.com/…/woman-who-ran-obamacare-warns-of-big-…

Confusing webform in IRAS

I wanted to submit an enquiry with IRAS using this webform. It required me to enter two compulsory fields, but there was no drop down list to enter the fields.

I had to re-enter all the information on a new form.

The people who design these online systems do not know the unnecessary trouble that they give to the public. They only think about their own convenience.

Bernie Sanders and the labor dispute in Verizon

Sisters and Brothers,

The CEO of Verizon makes almost $20 million a year in compensation. He leads one of the most profitable companies in the country.

Yet Verizon wants to take away employees' health benefits. Verizon wants to outsource decent-paying jobs. Verizon wants to avoid paying federal income tax. And right now, Verizon is refusing to sit down and negotiate a fair contract with its employees.

In other words, Verizon is just another major American corporation trying to destroy the lives of working Americans. But this time, Verizon's employees are fighting back.

Thousands of very brave employees of Verizon and Verizon Wireless are on strike until they can get a fair contract. They made a very difficult decision that puts their families at risk -- but it's a choice they made to stand up for justice against corporate greed.

I'm asking you today to stand up and tell the CEO of Verizon that you think Verizon employees deserve a fair contract that protects health benefits, guarantees fair pay, and stops outsourcing. Click here to add your name in support of Verizon employees.

ADD YOUR NAME »

Twice last week in New York City I stood with Verizon workers in the streets. I did so because they're doing something very brave: they're standing up not just for themselves, but for the millions of Americans who don't have a union.

The working class of this country deserves to earn decent wages, decent benefits, and not see their jobs go to low-wage countries.

Verizon's CEO doesn't think that. He called me "contemptible" for saying that his employees need a fair contract, and that Verizon should pay its fair share in federal income taxes.

What I think is contemptible is CEOs with multi-million dollar compensation packages, presiding over extremely profitable companies, and still refusing to give their employees fair contracts.

Corporate greed is a scourge on this country, and it will take all of us standing up for justice in order to rein it in. One significant way you can stand up to corporate greed is by standing with Verizon employees who are out on strike.

Add your name and say you support Verizon employees who are standing up to the CEO in order to get a fair contract with health benefits, fair pay, and job protections.

Corporate America is slowly beginning to realize that they cannot have it all. Thanks for helping them know it.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Collective sales

This website allows owners of units in condominiums to indicate their interest in a collective sale.

One condominium has started and obtained 12% of owners to express their support. This number will keep increasing over the next few weeks.

http://tklcloud.com/colsale/colsale.aspx

Driverless pods will come to Singapore soon

This is an encouraging and exciting development. I hope that SMRT will make it a success. 
http://news.asiaone.com/…/smrt-introduce-24-seaters-driverl…

New freehold condominiums

Which is the newest condominium in Singapore that has freehold tenure? You can find the answer here:
http://www.tklcloud.com/colsale/f_condo.aspx

Rental of properties

This portal allows you to view properties for rental - houses, apartments, rooms, offices. 
You can also post your listing for free.
http://leaseproperty.sg/home.aspx

Condominiums in Singapore

Which are the newest condominiums in Singapore? What are the oldest? Which are the biggest (in terms of number of units?) You can find the answers here.

http://tklcloud.com/colsale/f_condo.aspx

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton win resounding victories in New York

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton notched resounding victories in New York, answering questions about their command of the race as the front-runners moved significantly closer to their party's nominations.

Their decisive wins will usher in a new phase in the 2016 presidential campaign. Both Trump and Clinton have fought bitterly for months to keep their rivals at bay, each slogging through primary contests that exposed vulnerabilities in their candidacies and campaigns.

On Tuesday, Trump came close to sweeping New York's 95 delegates -- a development that could help the Manhattan real estate mogul win the GOP nomination outright and avoid what would be a messy contested convention in July. CNN projected Trump will clear the 50% threshold to take all of New York's 14 statewide delegates.

Clinton's win, meanwhile, will go a long way in blunting the momentum of Bernie Sanders -- the liberal Vermont senator whose unexpected popularity has dogged the former secretary of state.

It was a sweet homecoming for the front-runners, who each have deep ties to New York.

Last year, Trump and Clinton -- in wildly different settings -- launched their White House campaigns in New York City. On Tuesday, it was again in Manhattan that both Trump and Clinton confidently declared that they were within reach of the nomination.

Team Bernie made 3 million calls in New York

Bernie Supporter,

Last week, when we asked for 15,000 of you to call New York, we honestly weren't sure if we could hit that target. But Sunday night when we ran the numbers, we found that you smashed through our original goal of two million calls, and put more than THREE million calls into New York in just two days.

That is simply incredible! And it could make a huge difference today.But we can't stop now. Despite a ton of on-the-ground momentum, Bernie is still down a few points in the polls this morning as New Yorkers head out to vote.

URGENT: we need 7,500 of you on the phones for one hour todayto make sure Bernie supporters in New York get out to vote. If 7,500 of you get on the phones for at least one hour, we'll put another million calls into New York when it counts the most – on primary day.

YES, I WILL CALL BERNIE SUPPORTERS NOW TO HELP WIN NEW YORK

An upset victory in New York would be game-changing for this primary and this movement, and put us on a path to win the nomination and the White House. We know we have the grassroots support to pull it off, but the critical challenge is getting Bernie's supporters to the polls. Your calls today could literally mean the difference between winning and losing tonight.

Call New Yorkers now and help turn Bernie supporters out to vote.

In solidarity,

Team Bernie

Bernie Sander's goals are not "pie in the sky"

Last night, while we were holding our largest rally of the campaign, a top Clinton surrogate told a much smaller audience that Hillary Clinton was under attack, and her supporters needed to "stand up and fight back, stand up against those idealists."

Let me tell you something, sisters and brothers: there is nothing we have said in this campaign that is pie-in-the-sky, that is utopian. Nothing.

We are the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and we can create an economy where nobody who works 40 hours a week lives in poverty, where health care is a right for all Americans, and where kids of all backgrounds can go to college without crushing debt.

When we launched this campaign, I told everyone they should not underestimate us and that we were running to win. They thought we were pie-in-the-sky then, too. But tomorrow we have a chance to win yet again — in Hillary Clinton’s own backyard. I need you to continue to fight with me.

Right now, thousands of people are contributing $2.70 to help us win New York tomorrow and the five states that vote in one week. Add your contribution to theirs right now and we can win this primary.

The energy, intelligence, and idealism of Americans, especially young Americans, have been the greatest agents for change in this country for generations. Those qualities have also powered our campaign from the start, and it’s also what is going to help us take this country back from the billionaire class when we’re elected in November. But first, New York … tomorrow night. I need you with me.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders help to raise funds for other Democratic candidates running for Congress

Does this sound familiar to you, sisters and brothers?

"The corporations and special interests have their voice in Congress, and they have too many members scared of their power. What Congress needs is a progressive voice who is unafraid to take on these powerful interests – who is willing to fight for all Americans, not just the wealthiest 1 percent."

That's how Pramila Jayapal announced she was running for Congress.Pramila is exactly the kind of person I'm going to need in Congress when I am president. Let's help make sure she gets there.

Split a $2.70 contribution to Bernie 2016 and Pramila Jayapal so we can put our whole political revolution in power this November.

When you think about our political revolution, sisters and brothers, I want you to think of Pramila Jayapal.

Pramila helped lead the fight for paid sick leave and a $15 minimum wage in Seattle. She's not afraid to take on powerful special interests. She's fought for immigrant rights, opposed the war in Iraq, and worked to protect Social Security.

She's also running her campaign with our political revolution. It's a people-powered movement that will change how campaigns are run — one the political establishment doesn't really like to see.

I'm asking you to add a contribution to Pramila Jayapal because she's a progressive leader and Congress needs more voices like hers. Will you join me?

Split a $2.70 contribution to our campaign and to Pramila Jayapal and take our political revolution to the White House and to Congress.

Thanks for being a part of our movement.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Tuition free public colleges

Bernie Sanders was asked if this proposal to provide free tuition in public colleges also apply to students from high income families. His reply was that it applies to every student who is a resident of USA.

His basic principle is that public services, such as health care and college education, is available to all eligible persons, regardless of income.

It may appear strange to many people. Why should families who are well off be given the subsidy from the government?

The answer is straight forward - the well off families already pay higher income tax.

There is a big savings to the economy when there is no need for public officials to spend time to evaluate people who are eligible for the subsidy based on income and other criteria, and to disappoint people on the margin who are cut off from the subsidy. There is also the stigma for people who are considered to be poor and eligible for the subsidy.

Bernie Sander's approach make a lot of sense. It is productive and cost effective.

Singapore suffers from the waste of using many civil servants to spend their time on evaluating eligibility for welfare benefits based on income and other criteria. In some cases, the cost of the administrative is higher than the actual benefits provided to the recipients.

Massive crowd in New York

Bernie Sanders attracted a massive crowd of 27,000 in New York City. Will the New Yorkers be different from Singaporeans? Will the large crowds translate into solid votes for Bernie Sanders (unlike what happened in Singapore).

We will know by Wednesday morning in Singapore. New York will conduct is primary election on Tuesday. It is a closed primary, which meant that Independents cannot vote in the Democratic Primary.

Bernie Sanders had huge support from Independents. As they cannot vote in a closed primary, Bernie Sanders faced a disadvantage in New York. He had to work extra hard to overcome this disadvantage.

Watch his rally here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1l8TsCWjao

Play back the route of your vehicle

This vehicle tracking system allows the owner to trace where the route of the vehicle during the past 60 days.

You can watch a demo of the playback feature here:

http://www.tklcloud.com/Fleet/demo.aspx

Select a date from the drop down list.

Click on [Play Back]

If you receive a traffic ticket, you can check the play back to confirm that your vehicle was in the spot that the ticket was issued.

Campaign is heating up in New York State

Sisters and Brothers -

Tonight Hillary Clinton is hosting a fundraiser at the home of a California venture capitalist where couples contributing $353,000 get to sit at a table with George Clooney.

Now, you know where this campaign stands on George Clooney. YUGE fans. But a political contribution of $353,000?!??! That’s just an obscene amount of money.

And while the Clinton campaign repeatedly claims this money to her “Victory Fund” goes toward supporting the DNC, campaign finance records show they’ve spent millions of those dollars to subsidize their own campaign. It is, let’s just say, a very creative way to use enormous checks from people like Alice Walton (yes, Wal-Mart) to cover what would otherwise be campaign expenses.

So, we’ve set another ambitious goal, because that’s what this campaign is about: setting ambitious goals and watching people come together to meet them. Here it is:

Help Bernie raise $353,000 before midnight. Not in a single check, but in $3.53 increments. Add your contribution to the thousands being made right now.

New York votes in just four days, and we have a chance to shock the world right in Hillary Clinton’s backyard. Over 19,000 people came to see Bernie at a rally in the Bronx. Then 27,000 joined him at Washington Square Park. And last night chants of Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! echoed through the debate venue after Bernie’s closing remarks. We can do this. Maybe not in $353,000 chunks, but $3.53 at a time.

In solidarity,

Jeff Weaver
Campaign Manager
Bernie 2016

CONTRIBUTE

Bernie Sanders had huge rally of 27,000 people in New York City

We had one of the most incredible moments of our campaign onWednesday night. More than 27,000 people came out for our rally in New York City – it was HUGE.

This is what a political revolution looks like. This is the momentum we need going into New York's primary on Tuesday. Let's make sure we win.

If everyone who has signed up to support our campaign made a $2.70 contribution right now, it would ensure we have the resources we need to win New York’s primary on Tuesday night. Make yours here.

CONTRIBUTE

If we stand together now, we can win the Democratic nomination and the White House. Let's go.

In solidarity,

Jeff Weaver
Campaign Manager
Bernie 2016

Play back the route of your vehicle

An important feature of a vehicle tracking system is the ability to play back the route taken by a vehicle on a specific day in the recent past. This feature is called "play back".

For example, if you employ a driver, you want to know which route the driver takes on a previous day. If you own a fleet of vehicle, you will want to know the route taken by a specific vehicle on a previous day.

This is important if your vehicle is stolen and you want to know where the vehicle is located now, and what route was taken by the vehicle after it was stolen.

You can watch a demo of the play back for a specific vehicle on a selected day.

Go to www.tklcloud.com/fleet.
Click on [Demo] in the menu.
Select a date from the drop down list.
Watch the play back of the vehicle.

You will also want to know where the vehicle(s) are right now. This feature is called "live track". It is available in the Fleet application (but not shown in the Demo).

There are other features of the vehicle tracking system.

Enjoy the playback.

Bernie Sanders campaign needs more money for New York and upcoming states

Sisters and Brothers -

I just got off the debate stage, and I hope you had the chance to watch.

We talked about some of the big differences in this campaign: I support a $15 minimum wage, Secretary Clinton does not. I have a plan to achieve universal health care as a right for every man, woman and child in America, Secretary Clinton does not. I have been fighting to hold Wall Street accountable for their greed, recklessness and fraud, Secretary Clinton has been taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Goldman Sachs for paid speeches.

In five days New York votes, and we are doing everything we can to win. If we continue to fight, and turnout is high, I think we will. And that’s why I have to ask:

Can I count on you to make a $2.70 contribution right now? Thousands of supporters are responding to tonight’s debate with donations. With five days left before New York votes, it is so important that you add yours right now.

This is the most important stretch of our campaign. We have won eight of the last nine caucuses and primaries, but the result in New York this Tuesday and the five states voting the week after will go a long way toward determining whether or not our political revolution wins this Democratic primary, the White House, and takes our country back from the billionaire class. That’s why your contribution is so important.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sander's team call volunteers to make 1 million phone calls a day in New York

Dear Bernie Supporter,

We’re just five days out from the New York primary. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, so we’re setting a huge and ambitious goal that could be the difference between victory and defeat: calling two million voters over the weekend.

To reach our goal, we need 15,000 of you to sign up to call New York voters for at least an hour this Saturday or Sunday.

48 hours. 15,000 volunteers. Two million calls. Are you in?

YES, I'LL HELP BERNIE WIN NEW YORK

If we reach 15,000 callers between Saturday and Sunday, we estimate we’ll make more than a million calls a day, which is yuuuuge. In fact, as far as we can tell, this could be the biggest virtual phonebank ever!

We’ll be honest: this is such an ambitious goal that we might not reach it. But this campaign is, after all, about doing big things. And if enough of us get on the phones this weekend, Tuesday could deliver yet another historic upset victory for Bernie.

Sign up to call New York.

If you’ve never made phone calls to voters before, don’t worry. It’s easy. All you need is a computer or a tablet and a phone. There’s a simple script for you to follow, and there are volunteers standing by on livechat to help if you get stuck.

Right now, in lower Manhattan, the Wall Street bankers, corporate media types, and Democratic party establishment figures are hoping you’ll sit this fight out. They know that a win in New York would put us in a strong position to win the nomination – and threaten the entire rigged system that benefits them personally.

Let’s show them that we too know how high the stakes are – by setting a historic record right before Tuesday’s vote. Sign up to call New York.

In solidarity,

Team Bernie

An irritating experience with Sing Tel

I posted a blog about my frustrating experience getting help from Sing Tel's hotline. Their poorly designed interactive voice response (IVR) flow irritated me.

Sing Tel send this e-mail to me a week later.

Dear Mr Tan
I hope you are well.
First and foremost, I would like to introduce myself as a representative of the Social Media Relations team in Singtel.
I would like to follow-up on your recent blog post of 2 April 2016, regarding your experience our servces. However, I understand the blog post has since been removed.
Nonetheless, do let us know if you still need assistance with your Singtel services. I would be more than happy to look into your concerns.
In the meantime, please email to feedback@singtel.com if you have any questions on this matter. You may also reach me at 6801 4682 (DID) from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. I will be glad to assist.

Here is my reply

Dear
I have a Singtel SIM card in my dongle. I removed the SIM card to use it in my portable wifi.
I had trouble.
I called your hotline and had to waste a lot of time going through the complicated navigation in your IVR system.
I had to go through three times.
Finally, I got a message that your business care line operates only during office hours.
Your IVR system is frustrating to customers. Your "office hours only" service is bad.
I have since found the answer to my problem, but after spending a few frustrating hours with Sing Tel's poor service.
Thank you.

Like most organizations, Sing Tel continues to make life very difficult for their customers who has to go through their complicated IVR system.

It would be better if they get someone to take the call. If this person cannot find the solution, they can get an expert to look into the matter and call back the customer.

They should get away from their IVR navigation that is disliked by virtually all customers.

Announce which side the door open on MRT trains

During my stay in Tokyo in February, I took the Yamanote Line on a few occasions.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear a voice announcement in Japanese followed by English 

informing commuters about the name of the next station and whether the doors open on the

left or right side.

In the MRT in Singapore, there is a voice announcement in English only of the next station but

no announcement on which side the door will open. I often have to look at both sides of the train 

to decide on whether to move towards the left or the right side.

In some trains, there are displays to tell which side the doors will open, but there are no such 

display on other trains.

I hope that the management will update the voice announcement to include the opening of the door.

Our MRT system has been operating for 30 years already. We can learn from the experience in 

other cities on other ways to improve the ride for commuters.

Bernie Sanders will help many progressives to get elected into Congress

I’ve told you throughout this campaign, sisters and brothers, that no candidate for president, not Bernie Sanders, not the greatest president you could possibly imagine, can take on the billionaire class alone.

When I am elected president, I am going to need progressives in Congress who are willing to continue the fight we started in this campaign. Here are three:

Zephyr Teachout literally wrote the book on political corruptionand is running for Congress New York. Pramila Jayapal helped lead the fight for a $15 minimum wage and paid sick leave in Seattle, where she’s now running for Congress. Lucy Flores is a progressive champion running for Congress in Nevada and one of the most courageous people I’ve met on the campaign. I need them with me in Washington, D.C., and that’s why I have to ask:

Split a $2.70 contribution between Bernie 2016 and Lucy Flores, Zephyr Teachout, and Pramila Jayapal for Congress today and we are going to win this primary AND elect a Congress willing to stand up billionaire class of this country.

Change almost never happens from the top down, it almost always occurs from the bottom up. I will do everything I can from the White House, but what this moment requires is people in the streets fighting for change, and elects a Congress that is willing to stand with them.

If we are able to successfully combine those three elements, nothing will be able to stop us. That is the political revolution.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Demand for new HDB flats taper off

The government is now worried about a glut in new HDB flats as demand taper off.

http://www.todayonline.com/…/launch-bto-units-be-tapered-pr…

Robert Reich endorse Bernie Sanders

Watch this interview with Robert Reich, professor at the UC Berkerley and former Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton's Presidency. He gave a good insight into the economic impact of Bernie Sander's ambitious goals and explains why they are achievable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RSpMz6Snwk&nohtml5=False

He also gave an inside view of the role of Hillary Clinton in Bill Clinton's presidency. He is objective and balanced.

Bernie Sanders won the Wyoming caucus

Sisters and Brothers -

We just got word that we won Wyoming's caucus. This is huge.

This momentum is just what we need in order to win New York's crucial primary in 10 days. But we also must know that the billionaire class is more scared than ever, and they don't want to see us win again. They want to stop us here and now.

Contribute $2.70 to our campaign and we can keep our momentum going with another huge victory in New York. Your investment today in our movement will go a long way to taking back our country from the billionaire class.

Momentum is winning eight out of the last nine contests while bringing more and more voters and young people to our side as we talk about income inequality, climate change, universal health care, and our corrupt campaign finance system.

Momentum is proving again and again to the political and economic establishment that you don't need to have a super PAC in order to win the presidency.

This momentum is incredible – but you'll never imagine what our momentum can be if we win New York's primary.

Contribute $2.70 to our campaign and we can win New York's primary, win the Democratic nomination, win the White House, and take back our country from the billionaire class.

Thanks for being with us.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

The issues to be faced if Bernie Sanders become the President of USA

Mr. Tan
You have followed Bernie Sander's campaign quite closely. Can you help to address these issues?

1) Is Bernie Sanders too old to run for President? Can he last 4 or 8 years?
2) Can he achieve his goals without the support of Congress that is dominated by Republicans?
3) Will his changes (for healthcare, education, economy and trade) be too disruptive?
4) Will his Presidency be good or bad for Singapore?

My reply

1) Is Bernie Sanders too old to run for President? Can he last 4 or 8 years?

Bernie Sanders is 74 years old. Donald Trump is 69 years. Hillary Clinton is 68 years old. Their ages are not too far apart. The front runners for this election are "old" candidates.

Bernie Sanders is more energetic than Hillary Clinton. He is able to give many more speeches at rallies than Clinton. When he was young, he was an athlete. So, Bernie Sanders health and fitness is not an issue.

2) Can he achieve his goals without the support of Congress that is dominated by Republicans?

Bernie Sanders has a chance to be elected as President if he is nominated by the Democratic Party. He will be able to get large number of young voters and older voters who are voted for the first time. He will attract the support of voters who are Independent. These new voters are likely to vote for Democrats into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

He expect the Senate will be controlled by Democrats. He is not sure about the House, but there is a good chance that it can also be controlled by the Democrats.

He has a strategy if the House and Senate obstructs his goal. He will get millions of voters out into the streets in support of his proposed legislation. The legislators will have to take heed of the popular mood. This is his "political revolution".

3) Will his changes (for healthcare, education, economy and trade) be too disruptive?

He will find a way to introduce them in stages, over a period of years, to reduce the disruption to the economy and the lives of the people. The people will have to adapt to the changed circumstances, but the overall results will benefit the people and give them a better standard of living.

When the income is distributed more fairly and the ordinary people get jobs with higher income, they will be able to spend. The economy will grow.

4) Will his Presidency be good or bad for Singapore?

Singapore suffers from the same high income inequality and a high cost of living. The policies promoted by Bernie Sanders will also be good for the people of Singapore.  

A consequence is that the "unfettered free trade" which exists now in favor of the corporations, will be replaced by "fair trade" that will tilt the balance in favor of workers. This will lead to new rules of the game. 

Singapore will also have to change and adapt to a new global environment, with its new challenges and opportunities. It will not be easy but it is better to live in a fairer world.

Bernie Sanders out a daily message to his supporters

Sisters and Brothers -

The truth of what's happening in this election is that the American people understand that you cannot change a corrupt political system by taking its money.

Another truth is this: if America wants a president who will truly do everything in his or her power to dismantle our corrupt system of campaign finance, then we need a president who can get elected without the help of Wall Street, fossil fuel lobbyists, and the billionaire class.

Our campaign doesn't owe anything to big banks, to campaign bundlers, or to lobbyists. The only people to whom I am beholden is our political revolution. Let's keep it that way.

Contribute $2.70 to our campaign to elect a president who isn't beholden to our corrupt system of campaign finance and show that we the people can elect our own president.

When I started this campaign, I had a choice: I could have a super PAC funded by millionaires and billionaires, or I could run for president without one. The political establishment dismissed us immediately. They thought it was impossible to win without money from the billionaire class.

They were wrong.

The bottom line is this: we've gotten this far with more than 6.6 million contributions from 2 million people, and we can win the White House that way too.

Help us show what's possible without billionaires and super PACs with a $2.70 contribution to our campaign right now.

They keep saying what we're doing is impossible. Let's keep proving them wrong.

In solidarity,

Bernie SandersSSa

National Democratic Nomination - a tight race

Bernie Sanders is now neck to neck with Hillary Clinton in the recent polls for the Democratic National nomination. This is really scary for Clinton.

Does Bernie Sanders have a plan to achieve his promises?

Can Bernie Sanders deliver on his promises if he is elected President of USA? Does he give hollow promises that cannot be achieved? Listen to his explanation on these issues in this interview with a newspaper in Wisconsin. The editors and journalists asked sensible questions. His explanations are clear and convincing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P25iloc14o&ebc=ANyPxKp1_LLOTZFZmU429YrzAl-JLbKaj10J9RsYeOTRVbQ9hXVx_VGMXhzz3WbJIxxoAbQuTF0_Q2CdyUqhFgAg2d1d0X9P7A

Satellite based ERP - issues to be addressed

The Land Transport Authority has carried out a study into the satellite-based ERP and has decided to spend $556 million to launch the system.

Han Fook Kwang (Satellite-based ERP: Great technology but what's the policy? 13 March)  said that we should discuss and decide on the policy before spending the money to implement this system.

I like to raise a few additional issues:

a)            Has the study simulated 1 million vehicles sending GPS data every 1 minute to a central server? This is a large volume of live data. Have we done the simulation to make sure that the system can handle such a volume considering the data bandwidth and immense storage that is needed?

b)            If some owners removed the GPS system from the vehicle, how will the satellite based system know that they are unauthorised vehicles on our roads? Under the gantry system, they have installed cameras to take pictures of the vehicle. What is the equivalent under the new system?

c)            Have we planned for days where the weather condition may hamper the reception of GPS signals?

d)            What about personal privacy? Who will control the access to the data about the movement of the vehicles and the personal privacy of the drivers?

I believe that the Land Transport Authority must have considered all of these issues. I like to ask them to share their findings. The new ERP satellite system is going to impact the people in many ways, beyond collecting of revenue for the government. Surely, the people should be allowed to give their views on this matter?

Concrete actions and change are needed

The Finance Minister talk about "long term viability" but he is essentially repeating the strategies of the past years, which did not address the core challenges - i.e. improving productivity and competitiveness, increasing incomes or reducing the cost of living.

It is easy to use grand words that do not reflect concrete actions.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/…/going-for-lo…/2670574.html…

Key challenge for Bernie Sanders in New York

The next big challenge for Bernie Sanders is the primary election in New York on 19 April. He has to win that state, in order to catch up with Hillary Clinton on the delegate count.

The polls still show Hillary Clinton in the lead in New York. Some of the big names in the city are speaking in support of Hillary Clinton.

On the positive side for Bernie Sanders, he is able to draw out 20,000 people to attend his rallies, compared to 5,000 for Hillary Clinton. Will Bernie Sanders win this state?

It will be interesting to see if he can maintain his momentum to do well in the remaining states that are holding their caucuses and primary elections.

A better way to pass a message

Dear Mr. Tan

I am aghast at the NTUC placards at the counters stating "our staff are important to us too.....". The singapore way is to blame the citizens straight away. When I shop, I have not offended anyone so why must NTUC be so defensive and speak so definitively as if the customer is already wrong? Very poor EQ.

REPLY
Thank you for your observation.
Some organizations (not just NTUC supermarkets) encounter customers who scold or abuse their front life staffs over issues that are beyond the control of the staffs. They put up these signs to stop the abuses.

These organizations should replace their current messages (which offend some of their customers) with a more effective message, such as "If you have any problems with our service, please call XXXXXXXx or email XXXXXXXXXXXX".

This provides a better avenue to the customers to give their feedback. They do not have to vent their anger on the front line staffs.

This sign at the Jakarta airport shows a better way to pass the message.

Bernie Sanders appeal for contributions to fight in New York

Sisters and Brothers -

I want to talk about what we did last night: after starting in the polls in Wisconsin down more than 40 points, we finished the election with a HUGE margin of victory. We're also going to come away with a strong majority of the delegates.

We are on the path to the Democratic nomination for president. But I want to be clear: super PACs and the billionaire class want to block that path in the New York primary.

We very much expect an unbelievable amount of attacks and negativity over the next two weeks. But I also expect that if we all stand together, starting right now, we can come out of New York with another victory. That's why I have to ask you directly:

Contribute $3 to our campaign to help us continue our momentum from Wisconsin with a victory in New York in less than two weeks.

One of the first sentences I wrote to our supporters after we launched our campaign was something few people heeded:

People should not underestimate us.

They did underestimate us. They did not think it was possible for millions of people to come together and win 16 contests on our path to the presidency.

It would be a mistake to let up for even a minute. An impressive, unprecedented number of people have contributed to our campaign and helped us get this far. We cannot stop now.

We are only as successful as we are because more than 6.5 million times, people have contributed an average of $27 to our campaign. Now, with a huge battleground primary coming up in New York, we need you more than ever.

Rush your $3 contribution to our campaign now and keep us on this path to victory.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

All savings insurance plans give a poor return

Dear Mr Tan.

Nowadays what savings insurance policy is worth looking at?
May i know when is your next talk about insurance policy and the effect of deduction? Thanks!

REPLY

All the savings insurance policies give a poor return - avoid them.

The next talk is 9 April. Register here:

http://fisca.sg/event_det.aspx?id=1

Make an appointment before calling a person in the office

My office telephone rang. Someone asked to speak to Mr. Tan. He had a question to ask why interest is not payable on CPF annuity that is not terminated.

TKL - "I do not take office calls without prior arrangement. I am now busy with my work. If you have a question, send an email to kinlian@gmail.com and enclose the relevant documents."

Caller - OK.

Bernie Sanders works very hard in Wisconsin

Bernie Sanders is going all out to win Wisconsin. He gave more than half a dozen speeches in Wisconsin during the past week. The polls put him several points ahead of Hillary Clinton.

Milwaukee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwIQfYpT_BM
Appleton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUuf6fnW0VA
Madison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-lPBU_KhTY
Kenosha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU1JxTy-mhw
Onalaska
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1dAJJk5qpA
Sheboyan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YENakZ7lSo
Eau Claire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlWDVHLTosg
La Crosse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHy838rbF3g


Some of these towns have a population less than 100,000 people.

The debate issue on fracking

The debate between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton also concern fracking - the use of water to extract gas and oil. Bernie Sanders is against fracking. Hillary Clinton has promoted fracking for many years. Some people say that she has received generous donations from the fossil fuel industry.

Fracking is suspected to have caused contamination of water used for drinking. Here is an explanation:

http://www.theoec.org/campai…/fracking-impacts-water-quality

Inconsiderate civil servants in the Ministry of Manpower

I received a few auto-generated e-mails from the Ministry of Manpower. It said "You have not logged into the MOM website for work passes for a long time. Log in now and check if there are mails wanting to be attended".

These civil servants must think that the small business owners have a lot of time to waste on their time-consuming processes. It takes several tens of minutes to log into the complicated website using multiple passwords and to navigate through their confusing links to reach the mails waiting for attention.

It would be simpler for them to send an email directly to the public on matters that need attention, rather than expect the public to search for their mails in their complicated websites.

If our ministers and senior civil servants continue their unproductive and wasteful practices, business owners will continue to find it difficult to survive the costly environment in Singapore.