GST bump to 7%

[DoubleDecker]

I do agree with most of what you have said but there are little parts which I do not agree with. Logically and technically.

Nevertheless ,the extreme poor has so many channels to turn to for financial assistance, should they need any help. And please take note that the govt alone should not be responsible for our welfare.

Based on Singapore's experience from the last financial crisis, even the top man of Singapore - late Mr Ong Teng Cheong - is not authorised enough to activate a second financial assistance to Singaporeans. Consultation through parliament is valid and reasonable, but being the President of Singapore, he does not possess the power to release financial aid.

As we all know, Singapore is one of the hardest country to seek financial aid. Along with it, is a long list of qualifications that one has to meet in order to receive aid in any manner. While some would argue that "qualifications" are necessary to prevent abuse to the system, it is agreed on that point, but that also led to the fact that unless you are downright dead broke to the last dollar, you'll hardly see any aid coming your way.

Reality always paint a better picture than policies put on paper.

As for the local media, yes there would be a certain degree of control from up there. But well if you dont like it, the internet is so widely available, you can check out opposition parties websites for their version of 'news' if you think they're more factual.

Facts - at least for certain countries - can be manipulated. If opposition parties - being human just like anyone - then it implies even standing MP can manipulate facts. It is only up to individuals to put in the level of trust they are willing to put in. How do they decide? Once again, reality will tell a different story.

When it comes to industrial competition, standards of living, how far and how much do we have to put ourselves? Singapore is only this big, the population is only this big. It is not logically correct to compare a state of 2cubic square to 2,000cubic square, much least match up to it. In terms of numerical funds, yes it is possible to be richer in some aspects.

As history has shown, the bigger the bubble, the more damage is done. Evidently from the power nations. We can push Singaporeans way to the edge to achieve alot of things, but once it hits you, that's about it. To get to where Singapore is now within 40years which other countries like United States, they've taken far longer than that. And this population is all we have, nothing more.

Of course, sometimes theories can be silly. Many Singaporeans have shown their silent "protest" by migrating totally. They may not be richer, but they are definitely happier. That's what life is - to be happy.

I am sure many are still waiting to see if they can put the money where their mouth is. The "decreased" votes over the GE is already painting the picture that trust and beliefs are already shaken.

I often relate my style of living from a common teaching from elders, live with my means. Likewise here, Singapore is like a rubber band. You test the strength and elasticity by stretching it. You are not convinced that it is at its maximum, you forced it to stretch further. Suddenly reality strucks hard at you, the rubber band slipped and bounce back, hitting you right under the nose.

Rubber band was quiet throughout the entire ordeal of being stretched. But when it hits back, the intensity of the pain was far more than just a mere OUCH. We are just like this situation, waiting to see when enough is enough.

DD

 

[guitarsan]

Overheard this ranting at a typical coffeeshop conversation :

"Life under PAP.....for every $1 worth of sweetener comes with $10 worth of hardship"

:roll:

 

[edo83]

When the election was held, which side did most of you/your parents vote for? Now election is over, suck thumb and absorb all these increase :twisted:

 

[gutturalpiss]

where are u 66.6%? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

anyway, the following may b useless, but atleast its enough to pinch their hearts..or brains for that matter:

http://www.gsthike.com/sign.php

http://www.petitiononline.com/GST7/petition.html

 

[hifi_killer]

I was told that we did release some of the reserves for 'emergency investments' , as well as in the form of aid to other nations, like during the Asian tsunamis.

As we all know, Singapore is one of the hardest country to seek financial aid. Along with it, is a long list of qualifications that one has to meet in order to receive aid in any manner. While some would argue that "qualifications" are necessary to prevent abuse to the system, it is agreed on that point, but that also led to the fact that unless you are downright dead broke to the last dollar, you'll hardly see any aid coming your way.

I wouldnt say that. Sometimes it may seems hard because, being Singaporeans, sometimes we're just too shy to ask for help. Yes u do agree that some forms of financial aid are rather difficult to obtain .However financial assistance is not just about giving them money, tax rebates, these are only attractive short term solutions, seems like a good idea to garner votes, which 'they' dont need it anyway. . The govt has helped the affected(those who are not downright dead broke to the last dollar) financially in other ways, for instance, assisting the displaced workers to find a new job.
Besides assistance can come from non-organisational , non- government related people, if Singapore has to be everything about what the govt can do and not what her people can do, than it would be quite sad eh?

it is important to view problems whether it be a tax problem, a migration problem, from various perspectives. Because there are some things you cant change and some you can.

 

[turtlemuscle]

would like to correct some mis conception i read in ealier part of this thread. some said:

"GST going up to 7%! buy from overseas online!!"

err... 1/4 true only... anything above SGD$400 (includes shipping price), you are subjected to full amount of GST paid.

AND, this is regardless the item is used or brand new. do your calculations before you make your move.

 

[gutturalpiss]

wah really ah? but how come i buy my hardware n stuff online i pay 50 to 200 SGD less most of the time?

 

[DoubleDecker]

I was told that we did release some of the reserves for 'emergency investments' , as well as in the form of aid to other nations, like during the Asian tsunamis.

Yes, we do see alot of that. Other than humatarian reasons just like Red Cross and US Army, this move will put Singapore in good light and the good reputation. The most recent saga - Vietnam getting rid of "bui doi" because they do not want their ugly side to be seen by visitors.

EDIT: To elaborate on that, I do not mean daily tourists. The summit is going to take place in Vietnam, so they are getting rid of these "illegitimate children" off the street to give summit participants a "good image" of Vietnam.

I wouldnt say that. Sometimes it may seems hard because, being Singaporeans, sometimes we're just too shy to ask for help.

Singaporeans are definitely not shy when asking for help. Take a walk through Sub Courts, there are so many people waiting to settle their fines. When I was there with my friend to settle his fines, it is not uncommon to overhear some conversations. It is not that they do not wish to settle their fines, they simply have no way to. Jobless, penniless etc... But who's offering them a helping hand? While they admit to their own mistakes, there is no way to settle their fines - of whch some are in their 60s or 70s even.

However financial assistance is not just about giving them money, tax rebates, these are only attractive short term solutions, seems like a good idea to garner votes, which 'they' dont need it anyway.

That is why the point has always been missed for many many years. What the nation wants, is specifically financial help. This is not just about handing out cash, but it also significantly means "controlling the rate of price hike". Take a look at us now, price hike is as common as the monsoon seasonal rain we get every year-end.

But those who consumes "mee siam without hum" obviously don't get the obvious hint. Are we still going to motivate ourselves by saying "we should not rely too much on the government". It's a good thing not to rely too much on somebody else, but when disaster strikes, you just can't help it.

Psychological responses are no longer effective on us. The consumers of "mee siam without hum" should also take the hint. When my bank account balance shows me $0.01 everyday, try convincing me I am not penniless.

Let's take a look at one "amazing" example. Prices to public transport raised due to increased price of crude oil. Buses and taxis require diesel to run, so perhaps the price hike is reasonable. BUT, someone - please convince me MRT runs on diesel/petrol and NOT electricity. AND someone - please convince me that our country is the one and only country hit so badly by the increased crude oil prices. I leave that for you to figure out...

At the way price hike is going on right now, there seems no stopping. It is just a case of "as and when I like". There are thousand and one reasons to implement a price hike on whatever and whichever, BUT there isn't a single reason to reduce the financial burden and price hike. Not a single reason, ironical? Yes, I am baffled, just like many other Singaporeans. I am now one of the faithful dogs, who is continuing life in the shadows of the unofficial Singapore slogan - well known even to my friends overseas. "Let's Move On..."

it is important to view problems whether it be a tax problem, a migration problem, from various perspectives. Because there are some things you cant change and some you can.

Exactly, the size of Singapore, the limitations of almost 4.5million population is only as much as that. We cannot change that, unless the government is thinking of invading another country, which is definitely not possible and capable of doing so. There must be a time they have to accept limitations. But some reality and lessons are meant to be learnt the hard way, perhaps that's what they are waiting for too.

DD

 

[turtlemuscle]

wah really ah? but how come i buy my hardware n stuff online i pay 50 to 200 SGD less most of the time?

alamak dude. i am not saying that buying overseas is not going to be cheap. of course some things will be.

i am explaining that buying overseas will still need to pay 7% GST, coz if you read the earlier posts, some forumers think buy aboard can escape GST...

 

[gutturalpiss]

aiya no hope liao lah..everyday essentials must buy frm NTUC. $150 shopping means $10.50 GST - can buy marlboro!

 

[hopeandanchor]

vote PAP somemore la.

 

[bhp_factor]

haha

 

[shredrat]

haha well said hopeandanchor.

 

[novocaine]

yeah everyone forgets about the elections after 4 years. already 2 things to note immediately after this year's electrions:

1. Public Transport fare hike
2. Increase GST

Where's the 'mentioned and considered' 2nd progress package? it's gone all cold now. during the rallies, damn loud and clear man...what's next?

ah well, but we all forget and get used to the system after 4 years anyways. Not happy now? say as much as you want, write a 'system of a down' typa song.

 

[soft]

SOFT is a good website because it is free. If SOFT charge, does it suddenly become a bad website?

same logic, I can only tahan for so long. if we want better facilities, freebies, chat-room, audio/video streaming .... who is going to pay for it?

you tell me.

a country is a much bigger organisation, if the members of do not chip in, how can it continue? get funds from other countries? UN?

 

[RoRK]

a country is a much bigger organisation, if the members of do not chip in, how can it continue? get funds from other countries? UN?

Note that the 'members' have already been chipping in for the last 40+ years. We have accumulated reserves in excess of US$100 billion. Those should be used for the welfare of the nation's people, not solely for the purpose for someone's wife and father to go shopping overseas to purchase companies.

As a developed nation, Singapore spends less than any other developed country, on things such as social welfare and healthcare.

If Soft were to start charging fees and it is deemed appropriate then so be it. But when it is deemed ridulous as the case is here, 'tax the poor to help the poor" and to have so much reserves that have never been spent then it becomes pure BS.

ANd your anology of having video etc and wanted to charge for it is flawed. A truer anology would be one where Soft members have already been paying membership for a long time and there is a large sum of reserves. Instead of using the reserves to improve the service such as you have alluded to, Soft wants members to pay more for these services when the reserves are more than sufficient to finance the initial capital outlay for these new services and for the delivery and maintenance of these services.

Given this scenario, chances are that Soft will lose a large number of its members with such a stunt.

The increase in GST will disaffect the less fortunate in our society much more than any other group. This is a fact. That is why the party in power has come out to say that they will help the poor. However, based on past experiences, their help almost always falls short of achieving its targets.

And we have to appreciate that other developed countries provide for substantially more in terms of social welfare and healhcare. That is where a lot of theese countries' GST revenue goes to. Here, it goes onto someone's shopping account.

Like I said earlier, it is pure stupidity and contra to any economic theory to have a budget surplus as a standard operating procedure. Hence, it is just as ridiculous to keep saving surplus budgets, year after year, into the reserves without spending it for the benefit of the people.

Cheers
RoRK

 

[soft]

RoRK

for a country small like singapore, we can't do anything other than saving for the rainy day. by making the country rich, we will be able to stay on par with bigger countries.

i think temasek has been making profit. isn't this what we want?

we dont need to spend more than other countries. is there a competition?

maybe RoRK would like to contribute some funds to SOFT? coz I dont want to 'tax the poor to help the poor".

 

[AgingYouth]

Hurhur... I sense the dodginess in bro SOFT bro arising...

 

[soft]

it's friday man and no one has date me yet! :twisted:

 

[SherT]

Like I said earlier, it is pure stupidity and contra to any economic theory to have a budget surplus as a standard operating procedure. Hence, it is just as ridiculous to keep saving surplus budgets, year after year, into the reserves without spending it for the benefit of the people.

Such is the way things are, friend. Nothing is ever perfect.

The keyword here is theory. Either accept that fact, or have fun living in a mudhut built on swampland, eating rice off the floor for a living, as opposed to your comfortable houses and hot meals. :lol:

Keep in mind, at the end of the day, everyone is still human. Everyone is flawed, especially when they happen to have been sitting in the hot seat since the very birth of a country.

I don't exactly agree that the policies implemented by certain individuals are the best solutions, but if any of you have a more holistic approach, I'd really like to hear it.

Cheers.