Money is not everything

As it is also a telling tale on population and economy vs. environment, this could as easily be over at Junkk Male RE:view.

Singapore’s population crisis in a nutshell

Having lived there for a decade, and still visiting since my family's departure a decade ago, the 'world in miniature' aspect of this once great city state is too important not to learn from.

I treasure (fading) memories of Singapore Slings at the original long bar in the original Raffles, to drives to Punggol for chili crab in lean-tos on shoreline shanties set into the jungle.

On our last visit, I am pretty sure that's where one of the several hundred 26 storey HDBs my brother in law and his family live in now stand. Not sure a family meal at Jack's Place in Parkway Parade had quite the same sense of cultural bonding.

Progress? There is a finite land area (well, they are trying to prove Mark Twain wrong daily, but international sea limits will eventually require either going down, or higher up as the only options). Maybe the era of Blade Runner-like living is not so far away.

All to 'sustain economic growth'. And then, when the last square inch of grass has been concreted over? What quality of life will those who have got to this point enjoy, now that the shark that needs to swim to survive has stalled and is gasping for more air?

Ironically, my 12 year olds have been written to to require they get ready for National Service when they are 18, and we are required to stump up $75k bond each should they not feel so disposed.

As I replied to someone who asked me if I was ever tempted to return: 'there has to be more to life than living in an a/c box from which you commute in an a/c box to work in an a/c box to earn enough to blow at nights and weekends in another a/c box. And I think my kids deserve better.'

So unless the govt. revises its policies a tad, they'll be missing out on 6 years' worth of tourist money and, who knows, the chance of two 18 year olds opting to do their bit for a few years in a Taiwanese swamp to get their chance at living in a... albeit potentially well-appointed... a/c box.

Governments would do well to remember that human beings don't respond well to coercion and can, surprisingly, even opt not to be bribed with trinkets.

Still, I'm sure the SDU (Social Development Unit (bless), better known as 'Single, Desperate and Ugly' with the humour I still take strength from knowing flourishes there) is finding its ad budget enhanced.

Money Pits

An age-old problem

No, there is not 'too little', and therein lies a major part of the problem.

Recently I asked for a review of my Mum, who I care for at home.

Other than the appalling insensitive way in which the discussion was conducted by these so-called 'care professionals', I was intrigued as to why two (and neither a trainee) were deemed necessary: one to ask insensitive questions and one to write down the answers.

At least as a consequence I did get to drop her off at a local care facility for a few hours break. About 10 other senior folk... and at least four staff to attend to them.

It is worth asking where all this money goes and if it is best directed. I don't know about chaos, but simple cost-effectiveness and efficiency would be a good start.

And I'm sorry, but this obsession with means testing is at worst a mean-spirited obsession with ensuring a few well off don't benefit at the expense of those who could, or at best a job creation scheme for legions of box-tickers, just like Tax Credits.

Gaurdain - Despite the baby boomers ageing, we can afford to care - Can we? How?

BBC - 'They paid taxes all their lives'

BBC - Call for debate on dementia care - talk is better than nothing, but still cheap