Is the govt justified to increase the public transport fares?

The government has announced an increase in public transport fares, citing the recent increase in operating costs. Many people complained about this further increase in the cost of living.

The decision makers and their supporters pointed out that the public transport fares in Singapore are lower than the fares in the major cities in other developed countries.

I wish to give my views on this matter.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2027

President Trump defies House investigation

New York Times:

The White House declared war on the House impeachment inquiry, announcing that it would not cooperate with what it called an unconstitutional and partisan effort “to overturn the results of the 2016 election” of President Trump.

Mr. Trump called the inquiry into his efforts to pressure Ukraine to find dirt on his political rivals “a totally compromised kangaroo court,” and the White House intervened for the first time to block the testimony of a key witness.

Related: The whistle-blower at the center of the investigation wrote in a memo that a White House official who listened in on President Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s leader called it “crazy,” “frightening” and “completely lacking in substance related to national security.”

The evidence: House investigators have been issuing near-daily requests or subpoenas. Here’s a look at what they’ve collected so far.

Quora: What would happen if the Republicans voted to impeach Trump?

Virginia Hall, Top Writer 2018
Answered Sep 25

I am old enough that as an adult I watched Watergate go down. At first everyone thought Nixon would skate through with the Republicans in the Senate backing him up.

Then came the hearings and evidence came out and the Republicans began to shift.

Just before what turned out to be the end a delegation of Republicans Senators went to the White House and informed him in the Senate there were enough votes to remove Nixon from office. In short, Nixon would be removed from office.

Rather than go through the humiliation of being removed by a vote of the Senate, Nixon decided to resign.

If there were enough Republicans to remove from office, Trump might throw in the towel.

If the Republicans form a red wall, Trump might survive. If the red wall cracks, and it’s a high bar to remove, Trump might survive to run in 2020.

There would be a terrible problem as the Republicans have scuttled all the primaries. Who would they run? Pence? It would be a disaster.

Rule of the mob

I give my views about the ongoing protest in Hong Kong, which has lasted four months, and whether I support the protesters or the government.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2022

WOTC - Guidelines on online booking

Wisdom of the Crowd: 87% of the participants in this survey held a negative view of the slow action taken by the Competition watchdog in issuing the guidelines on online booking.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1603

WOTC - Sharing of PMDs

Wisdom of the Crowd: 72% of the participants are not in favor of LTA issuing license for sharing of PMDs.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1602

WOTC - Meritocracy

Wisdom of the Crowd: 93% of the participants in this survey felt that Singapore does not have a truly meritocratic society. The other 7% are positive.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1601

WOTC - Racial harmony

Wisdom of the Crowd: 63% of the respondents said that the racial harmony in Singapore is being challenged by the big influx of foreigners. The other 37% had different views on this matter.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1600

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Is the increase in public transport fares of 9 cents and 4 cents fair?

2. Are the statements of several ministries against The Online Citizen fair?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

It is wrong to organize a petition against a court judgment

In passing a judgment, the judge has to consider all the relevant factors of the case and also protect the integrity of the court by upholding past decisions. If the judge has to change the principle made in past decisions, the judge has to have good reasons and has to state the reasons.

It is not appropriate for ordinary people, who do not have access to the information available to the judge, to pass any opinion on the judgment. It is disrespectful to the judge and could be considered as contempt of the court.

It will also lead to a chaotic situation, similar to the actions of rioters and terrorists.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2018

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. What are your views about China?

2. What are your views about America?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Quora: Has China been weakened by the trade war as Trump keeps stating?

Pavel Fekula, Active in Russian-American relations Answered 

Trump has temporarily weakened the Chinese economy through his tariffs, but this move is not sensible in the long term. The Chinese economy is highly linked to the US economy, as China is the #1 trade partner with the US. Trade is admittedly relatively one-sided as China exports far more to the US than they import from the US. However, China makes up for this to some extent by making US treasuries the instrument of choice for the nation’s savings, financing the US government and helping to ensure the dollar remains the world’s reserve currency. China is currently neck and neck with Japan for the title of “top holder of US treasuries.”

Sooner or later, this relationship between China and the US is going to break down. When it happens, both nations are going to enter into a severe recession, but China will emerge on top. China will be forced redirect its manufacturing to focus on the domestic market. This will result in temporary pressure on their manufacturing sector as it is forced to retool and adjust to Chinese demands. They will also sooner or later be forced to sell off US treasuries as US deficits continue to rise. This will likely be part of a greater dollar currency crisis, resulting in a loss of China’s investment.

By contrast, the US will be hit with hyperinflation as the dollar declines dramatically in value against the backdrop of a global sell-off. As this happens, Chinese and other foreign goods will become increasingly expensive for American consumers, resulting in goods shortages in the US. As the highly-leveraged economy descends into a crisis, it will ensnare the financial sector, triggering collapse of the banking sector. In the short term, Trump has put some pressure on the Chinese economy, but he is playing chicken with a Mack Truck. In the event that the Sino-American economic relationship breaks down, the US will be the main loser.

WOTC - Will Chen Show Mao contest in the general election

Wisdom of the Crowd: 41% of the participants expect Chen Show Mao to drop out of contesting the next general election. 59% expect him to contest under the Worker's Party, another party or as an independent candidate.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1599

WOTC - Petition against a judgment

Wisdom of the Crowd: 75% of the respondents felt that it was proper for the public to sign a petition against the decision of the judge. 75% felt that this issue should be left to the courts.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1598

Make it easy for former employers to give references

Many employment agencies in Singapore make it difficult for former employers to give references on candidates seeking a new job.

They adopt a troublesome approach which is not friendly to the referees. They should simplify their approach to get better results.

Do you agree with the observation set out in this post?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1983

Speed up settlement of divorce cases

I agree with this writer that the handling of divorce cases can be improved and made less costly.

Some bad lawyers take advantage of the situation to increase the cost for both litigants, to the detriment of the family.

I hope that the government acts to improve the situation. What do you think?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2011

Listen to the views of the people

How can a government listen to the views of the people when the people themselves have different and conflicting views?

Here is a way to overcome it.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2009

Possible to be take leadership in an unfamiliar industry

My friend criticized industry minister Chan for trying to teach businessmen how to expand their business overseas, when he did not have any experience in running a company.

He also criticized the appointment of two army generals to run the SMRT and NOL without any industry experience. They did a poor job.

I told him that Louis Gertsner took over IBM in 1993 without any prior experience in the computer industry. He did a good job in transforming IBM successfully.

So, it is not a matter of prior experience but in the leadership style.

I wish to share my personal experience.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=2013

WOTC - Lenient penalty for NUS molest case

Wisdom of the Crowd: 29% of the participants said that the law minister should not interfere with the decision of the judge to give a lenient penalty on the NUS molest case. 71% said that it is proper for him to give his opinion.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1597

A dim future for Hong Kong

Wisdom of the Crowd: 72% of the participants have a dim view of prospects for Hong Kong in the future. 28% think that the region will remain dynamic.

See the breakdown of the votes in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=1596