Looking at the society - English Portfolio

Monday, August 27, 2007

Graded Article 6: Win, not lose, when you draw later ...

This article is about CPF, one issue deeply related to us Singaporeans (coupled with our aging population, the concerns for the elderly seem to be more frequent nowadays.)

Link: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/207442.asp
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CPF… one topic tied closely to our hearts, and something that we will most probably need to lean back on when we are old and, most importantly, retired. Well, as an active Singaporean, we should focus more on local affairs, and the issue of Singapore’s aging population is one such issue. Many articles have been written across the month about Singapore’s policies on retirement, particularly pushing the actual age of retirement from 62 to 65. This is a sign of the increase in the number of elderly in Singapore, and how the government in now trying to push back the retirement age so that the elderly can be occupied.

Throughout the years, Singapore has been promoting the idea of keeping an active lifestyle even as an elderly. This is one major policy that Singapore has been keeping to for a rather long amount of time. The elderly have been encouraged to partake in courses and activities to upgrade and occupy themselves, and many of the government campaigns are centered around that too. This is enough to show how the government views this trend as a challenging one to settle, and how the government is trying so hard to take care of the elderly.

And yet, the problems are still not settled. The increasing number of the elderly is causing an economic imbalance. When the elderly retire, they do not receive and ‘salary’ except for some money from their children, or if they choose to do odd jobs like collecting metal cans. One worrying trend happening in Singapore is the disowning of the elderly by their children, which may cause a polarization when the younger generation gets richer and the older generation depletes their savings bit by bit. In order to counter this worrying trend, extending the age of retirement is one way to slowly increase the independence of the older folk. I daresay that the age of retirement will be pushed up even higher over the ages.

And yet, is there really a need to make the old work even more? Singapore is pushing for the old to retire later, but why should the old work even more? Many Singaporeans consider working well late into their 70s as one of their most primarily concerns. Many Singaporeans express willingness to work till the 70s, which is actually quite worrying for Singapore itself. Yes, Singapore has been established as one great economic hub in the world. And yet, something within the lives of the people seem to be diminishing. People are now becoming robots that work all day, and want to work all day for just a bit more money.

Monetary concerns rank high in our current society, and many work hard in order to enjoy a good life later. However, with the pushing of retirement age, when is it actually time for us Singaporeans to slow down and enjoy life as we should? Maybe we have forgotten how to get a life…


Maybe we should learn to slow down for a bit, instead of pushing the retirement age furiously.


(508 words)

Graded Article 5: Are ERP hikes the only way?

Well, it's time to update this blog again. This time, I shall be commenting on the issues brought up by this letter from James Teo.

Link: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/207675.asp

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Well, the ERP is probably one of Singapore's most defining trait in the fields of transport. Singaporeans and PRs alike hated this Pricing system designed to reduce traffic congestion. However, many have observed that the ERP actually caused more problems over the years, instead of reducing the already serious congestion. Many self-conscious drivers wake up early in the morning to beat the ERP system, so the traffic jam is actually just pushed forward. In fact, the jam became worse after the ERP system kicked in, as many Singaporeans try to beat the system before the Pricing starts, thus the many cars on the road in the morning. The ERP also makes the roads redundant in the afternoon, as many drivers try to avoid passing through the gantry when the Pricing is on.

In this letter, Mr Teo addresses the problem of the new ERP charges, and hints indirectly to the government that ERP is not the solution to Singapore's traffic congestion. In fact, it is one of the roots of the problem. This article is straight to the point, but addresses many problems that the drivers face at this present age. And I do agree with the writer that the ERP is not a way to solve traffic problems, and that it is time to source for new solutions.

Firstly, ERP is indeed a bane to the traffic condition. Not many people would want to pay additional taxes for going through the ERP while it is working, so the ERP is practically useless in reducing the traffic. Many Singaporeans actually sees it as a restriction to where they can go, or which route they can take for the fastest way into town. In fact, ERP is avoided by the kiasu Singaporean, as no one would want to pay more for shaving five minutes off their bus/car trip.

The ERP also encourages speeding and cramming, as Singaporeans try to rush through the gantries before the ERP starts. This is especially dangerous for the traffic, as many cars would be traveling at a very high speed (or rather, try to). An increase in the amount of cars hitting the road at the time may mean more car accidents, especially if the drivers are willing to speed to beat the system.

So what? It may even be better for Singapore to remove the ERP entirely, as it is basically a hindrance in the traffic system. In fact, the early morning jams are caused by the huge amount of cars trying to get into the city before seven. Taxes are not going to work for Singaporeans who refuse to pay more for convenience. I do not think that many Singaporeans will be receptive to the idea of a harsher driving test, but Mr. Teo’s idea of ‘stacking’ the highways may work. After all, Singaporeans are trying to move higher up, right? An increase in the number of roads will also mean more flexibility for the drivers.